Maryland Gov. Wes Moore 

Maryland Governor Wes Moore kicked off the MHA Annual Meeting stressing the importance of health care access and equity. He expressed gratitude to hospitals, health care workers and essential personnel who have been integral in the fight against COVID-19. 

Governor Moore highlighted Maryland's commitment to providing quality health care to all and stated that the state is on track to lead the nation in affordable high-quality health care. 

“This is Maryland’s decade,” he said. 

“What makes our state so strong, what makes MHA so strong, you all see everybody, no matter who comes into your hospitals … no matter what challenge … socio-economic status, you see them,” Gov. Moore said. “You are the ones who have been our protectors. Our entire community is grateful for your leadership.” 

He also discussed initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and increasing economic opportunity, including the earned income tax credit and the service year option for graduates. Moore emphasized the need for collaboration among hospitals and health care providers to deliver the highest quality care to every Marylander. He urged hospital leaders to work together to build a brighter future for the state and its residents. 

 “You all have shown that you can prioritize not just access but also equity,” Gov. Moore said. “We do heath care a little bit differently than everybody else.” 

“Here in Maryland, we set the pace and we’re proud of that,” he said, referring to the state’s Total Cost of Care Model. “We say that no matter your background, you deserve access to quality health care. [The Model is] a set of values.”  

Ginny Clarke 

Diversity, Workforce, Leadership – Bringing it All Together 

Ms. Clarke also stressed the creation of a full ecosystem supporting talent across all levels, focusing on competencies and abilities rather than just impressive resumes. 

As for performance reviews, she said she dreaded them and that they took too much time to prepare. Ms. Clarke said she was able to reframe reviews to eliminate multi-page self-assessments and instead gather information to keep employees progressing. 

“Feedback is a gift. You should ask for it, and you should give it constructively and regularly,” she said. “If you’re not giving it to people and asking for it, you’re not developing them.” 

Ms. Clarke also asserts that leaders should not be people pleasers. She encouraged leaders to focus on earning respect rather than just being liked and to actively seek and give feedback to develop themselves and their team. “If your goal is to be liked as a leader you’re going to fail,” she said. “Likes don’t translate to leadership. I would rather be respected than liked.” 

Additionally, she discussed the importance of diversity, including hidden workers – such as immigrants and formerly incarcerated community members, and holding senior leaders accountable for their behaviors. 

 Finally, she emphasized the importance of communication and accountability for senior leaders in creating a successful and inclusive workplace.

Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Laura Herrera Scott and Andy Slavitt 

“Out of the Bubble” 

Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, Maryland's Health Secretary, and Andy Slavitt, former White House Senior Advisor for COVID-19 response talked about Maryland's healthcare environment, federal concerns, and ways to better serve the state’s residents. 

Maryland has always been a leader in health care, they said. Dr. Herrera Scott said the innovative Total Cost of Care Model proved successful during the pandemic, stabilizing hospitals, and saving millions annually. 

“Maryland hospitals weathered the storm and did not have to close hospitals and service lines,” she said.  

“This is the most successful Model that has come out of the Innovation Center,” she said. “Hospitals have proven year over year that it works.” 

So much so, she said, that other states now are trying to mimic Maryland’s success. 

She stressed the importance of hospitals in their communities. 

“I think of you all as anchor institutions for your communities,” Dr. Herrera Scott said. “You play an incredibly important role making investment in the community.” 

Stressing that she was just five months into this new role, Secretary Dr. Herrera Scott noted that more work could be done to bring accountability and responsibility for communities across state agencies. She feels hospitals and the state need to think differently about housing, food, transportation, and other barriers to health.  

In talking with the CMS Innovation Center, the Health Secretary said MDPCP and Medicare would be looked at closely and should be aligned and measured under the Total Cost of Care Model. 

Nic Sheff 

Letting Go: A Journey Through Addiction  

Nic Sheff, an author and subject of “Beautiful Boy,” shared his story of crystal meth addiction, relapse, and recovery with attendees. During his struggle with meth, amphetamines, and alcohol addiction, Mr. Sheff said he lost his moral compass and resorted to stealing from his little brother and breaking into houses to feed his addiction. 

“All I could think about was getting more of this drug that I felt like I needed,” he said. 

He went into treatment and realized he had a disease. Though it was a difficult journey and he relapsed a few times, he eventually found comfort in writing. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and realized the impact his addiction had on every aspect of his life, including on his family. 

His father, a New York Times writer, wrote about his own experience with Mr. Sheff’s addiction and relapses in his memoir, “Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction,” which was adapted into a film “Beautiful Boy” in 2018. 

With the help of doctors and a recovery program, Nic Sheff says he was able remain sober and to transform his life. 

Mr. Sheff said the care he received during his journey from physicians was incredible. Rather than judging him, they treated him with kindness and compassion. 

He encouraged the health industry to approach addicts as sick people who need to get well—not bad people who need to get good.