PHorum: Perspectives in Healthcare is VNA Health’s annual healthcare platform for national, regional, and local healthcare leaders to discuss relevant issues that affect health and wellbeing. Started in 2014, this distinguished symposium attracts hundreds of participants annually, and fosters collaboration among many voices.

The 2022 PHorum featured WISDOM OF GRIEF, to explore grief from a cultural, spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional perspective. Four notable speakers and a panel discussion moderated by Jerry Roberts discussed the range of grief and its impact on our wellbeing, ways to promote health through the grief journey, and tools to support grieving individuals. There was an exhibit area for mental wellness resources from community providers.

 

Michele Neff Hernandez

 

Janet Hranicky, MD, PhD

 

Mariela Marin, MA, MFT

 

William Peters, MA, MEd, MFT

 

Jerry Roberts, Moderator

Lynda Tanner Tribute to Benefit VNA Health Community Education Programs

After 14 years of dedicated service, VNA Health President & CEO Lynda Tanner is retiring this spring. She has served our community with the highest standards of care by leading VNA Health with integrity and compassion. We will honor and thank her at our 2022 PHorum.

We invite you to join us by contributing to the Lynda Tanner Tribute. All funds donated will support VNA Health community education programs, such as the annual PHorum.

Thank You to Our 2022 PHorum Sponsors

PRESENTING SPONSOR
VIP RECEPTION SPONSOR RESOURCE SPONSOR COMMUNITY SPONSOR REFRESHMENT SPONSOR
LIVESTREAM SPONSOR FLOWER SPONSOR

ANGELS
Anna Grotenhuis, Anne Towbes & Judi Weisbart

Annual PHorum Events

2021 ALZHEIMER’S & CAREGIVING – The unfortunate reality is that people with Alzheimer’s and other kinds of dementia have become the largest group of patients we care for at VNA Health. Actress Jane Seymour presents the documentary, I’LL BE ME, a touching and informative film about Oscar® Nominee, GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, and Country Music Hall of Fame member Glen Campbell, and caregiving for his Alzheimer’s Disease.

  • Welcome by President & CEO Lynda Tanner and introduction by Jane Seymour
  • Panel Discussion with Kim Campbell, Alzheimer’s Disease Advocate and widow of legendary singer and guitarist Glen Campbell; Dr. Kenneth S. Kosik, Internationally renowned Alzheimer’s Disease Researcher and Principal Investigator of the Kosik Neurobiology Lab at UCSB; Dr. Michael Bordofsky, VNA Health Medical Director and Board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine; and Jane Seymour, Emmy Award-winning actress, artist, business woman and Executive Producer of I’LL BE ME.
2020 PHENOMENAL RESEARCH ON END-OF-LIFE EXPERIENCES – Dr. Christopher Kerr returns to discuss his latest findings. In his first study, using quantifiable data, Dr. Kerr demonstrated that pre-death dreams and visions are experienced by the majority of dying patients, with positive psychological and spiritual benefits. He will now discuss recent studies which examine how such experiences help the dying grow and adapt as life ends as well as the effect of these experiences on the loved ones left behind.  Afterwards, Dr. Michael Kearney, VNA Health Associate Medical Director explores with Dr. Kerr how end-of-life dreams and visions may be a profound source of meaning and comfort for the dying and the bereaved.
2019 VALIDATING DREAMS & VISIONS OF THE DYING with Dr. Christopher Kerr, a neurobiologist and CEO & Chief Medical Officer for the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care in Buffalo, New York. Dreams and visions of the dying have been well documented throughout history and across cultures; and typically, they are perceived to be deathbed delirium, hallucinations, or agitation. Dr. Kerr’s research is the first scientific study aimed to demystify and validate patients’ end-of-life experiences to understand their role in helping patients live well and die well. Join Dr. Michael Kearney, VNHC Associate Medical Director as he explores with Dr. Kerr how these end-of-life dreams and visions are characterized by a consistent sense of realism, and may be a profound source of potential meaning and comfort for the dying and bereaved.
2018 MUSIC IS MEDICINE: COMFORT & RENEWAL AFTER LOSS with a keynote performance by Gary Malkin, a multiple Emmy, Clio, and ASCAP award-winning recipient. Music is the universal language of emotion. Music therapy offers emotional support and provides an outlet for reflection and expression of feelings, ultimately improving one’s quality of life. As our community continues to recover and rebuild from the Thomas Fire and Jan 9 mudslides, VNHC offers this event in support of community healing.
2017 WHAT MATTERS MOST WHEN YOU ARE DYING – If you were dying, what would be important to you? Completing your bucket list? Getting your affairs in order? Dying well at home? Join Lani Leary, PhD and Michael Kearney, MD and learn how hospice care helps patients and families focus on what matters most.
2016 SUSTAINING THE VITALITY OF HOME HEALTH CARE – Keynote Speaker Tracey Moorhead, President & CEO, Visiting Nurse Associations of America and distinguished panel of healthcare leaders including Dr. Charles Fenzi, CEO & Chief Medical Officer, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics; Bob Freeman, CEO, CenCal Health; Elizabeth Majestic, MS, MPH, Vice President of Population Health, Cottage Health; Rhonda Spiegel, Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Association, Dr. Takashi Wada, MD, MPH, Director & Health Officer, Santa Barbara County Public Health; and moderated by Lynda Tanner, RN, MSN, VNHC President & CEO.
2015 Local industry leaders return to discuss and share fresh perspectives in healthcare: Panel Host and Moderator Lynda Tanner, RN, MSN – VNHC President & CEO; Michael C. Bordofsky, MD; VNHC Medical Director and President of Santa Barbara Preferred Health Partners; Steven Fellows, COO & Executive Vice President, Cottage Health System; Bob Freeman, CEO, CenCal Health; Fred Kass, MD, Medical Director of Research and Wellness, Cancer Center of Santa Barbara with Sansum Clinic; and Kurt N. Ransohoff, MD, CEO and Chief Medical Officer, Sansum Clinic.
2014 Local industry leaders present their perspectives on healthcare and the impact on our community. Panel Host Lynda Tanner, RN, MSN, VNHC President & CEO; Edward S. Bentley, MD, Santa Barbara Gastroenterology Medical Group; Bob Freeman, CEO, CenCal Health; Fred C. Kass, MD, Medical Director of Research and Wellness, Cancer Center Santa Barbara with Sansum Clinic; Kurt N. Ransohoff, MD, CEO and Chief Medical Officer, Sansum Clinic; Ron Werft, President & CEO, Cottage Health System; and Panel Moderator Michael C. Bordofsky, MD, VNHC Medical Director.