Lynn Stockstad, chief marketing officer at Optum, recently answered questions from Becker’s Hospital Review about the upcoming Optum Forum taking place July 31 through August 2, 2017 in Washington, D.C.
What is Optum Forum, and what is the genesis for Optum to develop a conference like this?
Lynn Stockstad: Optum Forum brings together the brightest minds in healthcare with the ultimate goal of building connections, and figuring out how we can collaborate to solve the toughest challenges in healthcare. It all started in 2011, with several disparate client user conferences for those who used Optum products. Since then, the event has grown to bring together thought leaders and experts from all health system stakeholders – employers, health plans, providers, life sciences and government organizations. Ultimately, it helps healthcare professionals learn from each other, and Optum learn from healthcare professionals.
Who attends Optum Forum, and what is the most valuable thing they gain from participating in the conference?
LS: Optum Forum draws more than 1,000 healthcare professionals. These people span every level, function and organization – from C-suite executives to individual contributors – of the healthcare ecosystem. There is such a wide array of content offered that there really is something for anyone.
Attendees can expect a great experience and big opportunities. They’ll learn how emerging trends in care delivery, innovation and payment models affect their work. They’ll be inspired and make new connections. They’ll also learn how to get more from their Optum solutions and hear how others are using the products to solve problems. Past attendees often comment that the best part about Forum is hearing how their peers are tackling challenges and hearing from Optum executives about their vision for the future.
What can those who attend this year’s Optum Forum expect to see, do and gain from their attendance?
LS: The most valuable takeaway for Optum Forum attendees is education. Whether looking to discover emerging technologies or to maximize use of existing Optum solutions, they’ll learn about it at Optum Forum.
What are the most exciting topics that will part of the discussions this year? What's trending?
LS: This will be a breakthrough year for data and analytics. Those attending Optum Forum will have front row seats to deeply understanding how emerging technologies and techniques can transform everything from life sciences innovation to care delivery, and even managing the overall business and operations of healthcare. Optum will have some exciting developments to share.
But we’re also discussing other critical topics in healthcare, with sessions including:
- Code Blue: A Comprehensive, Data-Driven Framework for Responding Rapidly to the National Opioid Crisis, offering insights on a new measurement and performance improvement framework developed by OptumLabs to help employers, providers and other stakeholders track meaningful patient-level outcomes and assess performance geographically and by line of business;
- Blockchain: Seeing Beyond the Hype, to examine practical applications for healthcare operations; and
- The Future of Pharmacy Care which will focus on how innovations in the pharmacy benefit management industry is helping to lower total healthcare costs.
We’re excited for this year’s Optum Forum, and helping to be a catalyst for discussions that advance how the health system works.