Children's Physician Network News

Children's Physician Network (CPN) is an 11-county pediatric provider network (care system), comprised of more than 175 primary care providers, more than 500 specialty providers, and Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

Primary care providers serve pediatric patients living in the Twin Cities metropolitan area through one of 42 clinic locations; specialty providers through more than 400 locations. Clinics range in size from single practitioner to those with 40 or more. Most clinics are independent, community-based practices that have come together through Children's Physician Network to, improve the health status of children and adolescents, be able to serve patients in all health plans, and serve as a unified voice in the community regarding pediatric health care issues.

In the last several years, Children's Physician Network has earned several awards in quality improvement and patient satisfaction. One award recognized the quality of care provided by Children's Physician Network - Nurse Triage Service, a 24-hour answering service/triage line established for community pediatric providers and their patients. This is just one example of how working together, pediatricians can raise the standard of care in the community.

For more information about Children's Physician Network, contact Jan Peter Jachimowicz at  612-813-7435 or cpn@childrensmn.org.  Also, look at the Children's Physician Network newsfeed for the latest updates.

Seventh Annual National Telehealth Conference Dates Announced for 2010 (December 2009)

Children’s Physician Network (CPN) will again host this annual national meeting focused on telephone care.  The conference will be Thursday and Friday, September 30-October 1, 2010, at Hilton Hotel in Bloomington (St. Paul/Minneapolis area), Minnesota.

The conference will continue to offer the same number of CEUs as in 2009 but in a condensed time format; the number of days has been reduced from three to two to help with attendees’ costs and time commitments.

The conference is for an audience of nurses and physicians focused on emergent, urgent, and/or telephone care.  Also, this conference will be of value to office and call center triage nurses, physicians, and administrators.  Further details concerning topics, continuing education credits, and nationally known speakers will be announced in early 2010.

The Hilton Hotel MSP Airport/Mall of America will again be the location.  Free shuttle transportation to and from the airport, as well as the Mall of America, is available for the convenience of attendees.

2009 National Telehealth Conference Agenda Announced (June 2009)

Speakers, topics, and objectives have been announced for the 2009 National Telehealth Conference.  The medical education conference will be held from the afternoon of Thursday, September 24 through the morning of Saturday, September 26. 

The conference is for nurses and physicians; it is focused on emergent, urgent, and telephone care.  Additionally, the presentations will be of value to office and call center triage nurses, physicians, and administrators. 

Presenters will include Dr. Barton Schmitt, Dr. David Thompson, Dr. Dale Alverson, Dr. Andrew Hertz, and Carol Stock, JD.  A total of 13 CMEs and 15.6 contact hours are offered. 

Fees will remain as they were for 2008; there is no increase in conference fees.  The conference will again be held at the Hilton Hotel MSP Airport/Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis.  The hotel is conveniently located a short walk away from the Mall of America and within an approximate five minute drive to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. 

Annual National Telehealth Conference to Offer Continuing Ed Credits (June 08)

Registration is open for the Fifth Annual National Telehealth Conference, September 25-27, at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP) Hilton Hotel.  This annual conference is for an audience of office and call center triage nurses, physicians, and administrators.  For the September 2008 Conference, up to 13.0 continuing education credits for physicians (CMEs) and 15.6 continuing education credits for nurses (Contact Hours) can be earned by attendees.  Confirmed and scheduled to present are:

Telehealth Legal Update Conference (Jun 08)

Carol M. Stock & Associates will be offering a telehealth legal update conference on September 25, 2008, entitled, "Telehealth Legal Update: New Trends & Emerging Legal Risk & How to Avoid Them."  It will be held in conjunction with the Children's Physician Network's Fifth Annual National Pediatric Telehealth Conference, September 25-27^th, 2008, at the Hilton Minneapolis St Paul Airport Mall of America hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota.

This conference will focus on the latest trends, emerging risks, and legal issues in telehealth, and include tips for more efficient and effective practice.  Up to 4.25 contact hours are offered.  Topics include:

• Telehealth Trends, Issues, Obstacles, & Solutions

• Legal Analysis of Actual Triage Calls

• Remote Monitoring Utilization - Pros and Cons

• New Telehealth Technology - Legal Risks & Benefits

• Communication Skills for Successful Triage

• Tips for More Efficient and Effective Practice

This seminar is limited in size in order to facilitate a concentrated and interactive learning environment.

National Telehealth Conference Attracts International Audience (Oct 07)

Children's Physician Network's (CPN) Fourth Annual National Telehealth Conference was held September 27th through 29^th at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Hilton.  This annual conference provides valuable information for office and call center triage nurses, physicians, and administrators.  This year's conference made available continuing education credits for physicians (CMEs) and nurses (Contact Hours). 

Attendees from throughout the U.S. registered for the conference, along with groups from Canada and Japan.  In addition, the number of companies exhibiting has nearly doubled from last year.  Included among the nationally recognized presenters are:

• Barton Schmitt, MD; The Children's Hospital, Denver and University of Colorado
• David Thompson, MD; MacNeal Hospital, Chicago
• L. Read Sulik, MD CentraCare Health System, St. Cloud, MN
• Andrew Hertz, MD, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland

Children's Physician Network (CPN) is a Minnesota non-profit organization.  Its mission is to "enhance the value of care to children by improving services, supporting health care professionals, and adding a pediatric voice to health care."  CPN is affiliated with Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. 

Speakers Confirmed for Annual National Telehealth Conference (Jun 07)

Children's Physician Network (CPN) has confirmed speakers for the Fourth Annual National Telehealth Conference, September 27-29 at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP) Hilton Hotel.  Confirmed and scheduled to present are:

• Barton Schmitt, MD; The Children's Hospital and University of Colorado
• David Thompson, MD; MacNeal Hospital
• L. Read Sulik, MD; CentraCare Health System
• Andrew Hertz, MD; Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital
• Lee Pyles, MD; University of Minnesota
• Charles Crutchfield III, MD; Crutchfield Dermatology
• Peter Dehnel, MD; Children's Physician Network
• Elizabeth Gilles, MD; Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
• Michelle Hulse, MD; Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
• Daniel Halvorsen, PhD; Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
• Phillip Kibort, MD; Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
• Michele VanVranken, MD; Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
• Dory Baker, RN, CNP, AE-C; Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
• Lisa Patrick; University of Kansas
• Kelli Massaro, RN, BSN; The Children's After Hours Telephone Care Program
• Elizabeth Skinner, BSN, JD; The Trillium Group
• Sherry Smith, RN, MSN, MBA; 3CN
• Patsy Stinchfield, RN, CNP; Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota

This annual conference is for call center triage nurses, physicians, and administrators.  Continuing education credits for physicians (CMEs) and nurses (contact hours) will be available.

CPN Announces 4th Annual National Pediatric Telehealth Conference  (Feb 07)

Children's Physician Network (CPN) announced the dates of the 2007 National Pediatric Telehealth Conference "Reach for the Stars," September 27-29, 2007.  All plenary and breakout sessions will be held at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Hilton Hotel in Bloomington, MN.  The hotel is conveniently located near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and Mall of America in suburban Minneapolis, MN.  Complimentary transportation is available to and from the airport and the mall. 

The Hiawatha Line (light rail) station is within walking distance for convenient and inexpensive travel to beautiful downtown Minneapolis.  Also, a protected national waterway and wildlife refuge is literally steps away, with plenty of miles of trails overlooking the Mississippi and Minnesota River valleys.

The conference is for an audience of clinic office and call center triage nurses, physicians, and administrators.  Further details concerning topics and nationally known speakers will be announced soon.

GeigerBevolo to Provide Marketing Services to Children's Hospitals  (Feb 07)

GeigerBevolo, Inc. has been hired to provide healthcare marketing services for Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.  With 326 staffed hospital beds and services available in all major pediatric specialties, Children's is the largest children's healthcare organization in the upper Midwest, and the eighth largest in the United States.  While its staff serves thousands of the region's sick children each year, they also strive to keep children well and to prevent illness and injury.

"We're looking forward to creating innovative marketing initiatives to share our family-centered approach with those most in need of highly-specialized pediatric care," said Mark Heymans, Children's Director of Communications and Public Relations.

"We're thrilled to engage one of the most vibrant healthcare organizations in Minnesota," added Chris Bevolo, partner and Director of Client Strategy at GeigerBevolo.

Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota is a not-for-profit, comprehensive health care provider serving the diverse needs of children from infancy through adolescence.

2006 National Pediatric Telehealth Conference Registration Materials Available (Aug 06)

Children's Physician Network (CPN) will hold the 2006 National Pediatric Telehealth Conference, "Reach for the Stars."  This third annual conference will start Thursday afternoon September 14 and conclude Saturday afternoon September 16 in Bloomington, MN.

The conference is for an audience of office and call center triage nurses, physicians, and administrators.  This year, the conference will feature continuing education credits for physicians and nurses.  Featured speakers include Barton Schmitt, MD; David Thompson, MD; Nina Antoniotti, PhD, RN, MBA; and Carol Stock, JD, MN, RN.

Children's Physician Network (CPN) is a Minnesota non-profit organization.  The mission of CPN is to "enhance the value of care to children by improving services, supporting health care professionals and adding a pediatric voice to health care."  CPN is affiliated with Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

Third Annual National Pediatric Telehealth Conference Announced  (Feb 06)

Children's Physician Network (CPN) announced the dates of the 2006 National Pediatric Telehealth Conference, "Reach for the Stars."  The third annual conference will start Thursday afternoon September 14^th and conclude Saturday afternoon September 16^th. 

All plenary and breakout sessions will be held at Hotel Sofitel in Bloomington, MN.  The hotel is conveniently located near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and Mall of America in suburban Minneapolis, MN.

The conference is for an audience of office and call center triage nurses, physicians, and administrators.  Further details concerning topics and nationally known speakers will be announced soon.

Children's Physician Network (CPN) is a Minnesota non-profit organization.  The mission of CPN is to "enhance the value of care to children by improving services, supporting health care professionals, and adding a pediatric voice to health care."  CPN is affiliated with Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

Second Annual Reach for the Stars Pediatric Telehealth Conference  (Apr 05)

Mark your calendars for September 23 and 24, 2005 for the "Reach for the Stars: Pediatric Telehealth; Beyond Clinical Excellence in Triage," the second annual national pediatric telehealth conference hosted by Children's Physician Network's Triage Service.  The conference will be held at the Hotel Sofitel in Bloomington, MN, conveniently located close to the Mall of America and Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport.

The conference will feature nationally renowned speakers, including Dipti Amin, MD, medical director of the call center at All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL; Andrew Hertz, MD, from Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH; Sandy Melzer, MD, from Seattle Children's Hospital and current chair of the AAP's section on telephone care; Sheila Wheeler, RN, President of TeleTriage Systems, telephone triage author and consultant; and back by popular demand, Steven Poole, MD, telephone triage expert and author from Denver Children's Hospital.

Office and call center triage nurses, physicians, and administrators will find the conference an invaluable resource for pediatric triage.  Various industry exhibitors will be available both days of the conference.