RECENT ACTIVITIES
The second quarter of 2020 has been dramatically affected and altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. All of ICHA’s Executive Director’s travel was suspended and, as a result, face-to-face meetings were cancelled.
With these restrictions, ICHA conducted a series of phone conferences among Mission Leaders, Chaplains, Ethicists and Health Care Vicars. Topics for these meetings were: State Standards of Care presented by Fr. William Grogan; Models of Care (safety protocols for treating care givers, patients and families) presented by Steve Mattern (OSF Health System); and Moral Distress and Moral Injury presented Marie Coglianese (Loyola Medical Center). On Thursday, June 25th, the group was addressed by Cardinal Cupich.
Also, due to travel restrictions, on May 27th, ICHA’s Executive Director participated in the video conference for the Healthcare Convocation for the Diocese of Springfield. This meeting included the Bishop, the Health Care Vicar and the health care leaders of the Springfield Diocese. On June 8th, the Executive Director attended CHA’s Annual Assembly by video conference.
2020 UPCOMING MEETINGS
Due to COVID-19, ICHA’s Annual Meeting will be held remotely on Thursday, October 1, 2020, using Zoom technology. This virtual service will be provided by Loyola University. The Keynote Speaker will be Sr. Mary Haddad, President/CEO of the Catholic Health Association (CHA).
ADVOCACY UPDATE
At the Federal AND State levels, legislative activity concerning health care issues has been minimal due to COVID-19. ICHA has encouraged our facilities to file for FEMA and CARES Act funding and have applied for, and received, PPE funding.
ICHA has also used this time to develop a brochure comparing Catholic health care in Illinois to secular health care in the state. Catholic hospitals represent 22% of hospitals in the state and provide the majority of key health care services.
MISSION EDUCATION
As an update on ICHA’s Chaplaincy Education Program with the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), ICHA continues to register participants. To date, 249 persons registered for the course; 127 have completed it.
ICHA FINANCES
ICHA continues to operate under a balanced budget. ICHA recently developed their FY 20-21 budget it was recommend unanimously by the Finance Committee and approved by the Board. There will be no increase in ICHA dues and invoices for the FY 20-21 dues will go out on July 1st.
CONCLUSION
Thank you for all you do on behalf of the ministry, especially during these very challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to look for better ways to serve you and are always open to new ideas. If ICHA may assist you in any way, please contact me anytime at pcacchione@il-cha.org.
