CBHL 2020 Un-Summit – Closing Keynote Address with Susan Cooper | Moving the Needle – Building Authentic Community Partnerships Together as ONE

Join us for the closing keynote address of the CBHL 2020 Un-Summit, where we will hear from Susan Cooper, Chief Integration Officer and Senior Vice President at Regional One Health in Memphis, Tennessee.

One Health is a program designed to meet the needs of our uninsured, medically and socially complex patients. The goal of the program is to improve the health of our most vulnerable, while bending the cost curve. Complex patients comprise a small, heterogeneous group of individuals who frequently cycle through multiple systems (healthcare, behavioral, social, correctional), but do not receive any lasting benefit from the interactions. Care is often fragmented and systems are rarely designed to meet the needs of the most complex. Hospitals alone are insufficient to meet the complex needs of these patients. A new mindset for building authentic partnerships was required. The team built authentic relationships with cross-sector community partners based on data and trust. New tools were developed and implemented for community asset mapping, model design, and data collection, which led to the creation of a new ecosystem of care inclusive of healthcare, behavioral health, and social services. Additionally, new methods of cross sector collaboration were introduced. Over the course of 27 months, 430 individuals were enrolled. Improved outcomes were achieved in health, housing, utilization, cost, benefits, food security, and self-sufficiency.

Susan Cooper, Chief Integration Officer & Senior Vice President, Regional One Health

Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, FAAN currently serves as the Chief Integration Officer and Senior Vice President at Regional One Health. She has responsibility for the Center for Population Health and Clinical Innovation. Additionally, she leads the organizations response to the COVID19 pandemic and serves on the Mayors’ Joint Task Force. 

Before joining Regional One Health, Ms. Cooper made Tennessee history when she became the first registered nurse appointed Commissioner of Health for the State of Tennessee, serving two Governors. Prior to her appointment as Commissioner of Health, she served as the Special Policy Advisor to the Governor for the Uninsured and chief architect responsible for the design and implementation of the health care safety net for uninsured Tennesseans. 

During her tenure as Commissioner of Health and chief health strategist, Ms. Cooper was responsible for the establishment of innovative policies, programs, and partnerships designed to protect, promote, and improve the health of Tennesseans.  A former Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN), she was responsible for creation and leadership of the Center for Advanced Practice Nursing and Allied Health. Ms. Cooper has served on numerous national committees. She has extensive experience in prevention, health policy, population health, preparedness, public health and working with vulnerable populations. Ms. Cooper is a frequently requested national speaker and has provided expert testimony to the U.S. Senate on numerous occasions. Ms. Cooper serves on multiple boards and committees including the Board of Directors for America’s Essential Hospitals Institute, Board of Directors of QSOURCE, and Chair of the Dean’s Advisory Council of the University of Memphis, Lowenberg College of Nursing, 

Ms. Cooper received her degrees from VUSN. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and has received numerous commendations and awards including the Presidential Meritorious Service Award from Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, the John S. Derryberry Award for Distinguished Service, William V. Corr Award, and the Presidential Award of Distinction from the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Alumni Association.