Today’s healthcare teams face a growing need for interprofessional collaboration, creative problem solving, and impactful leadership training to drive organizational performance. SYNC is an innovative, team-based learning experience that teaches collaboration and leadership through hands-on problem solving.

“While we were a relatively close group, we bonded even more, which lets us more easily move issues forward and gives us a cohesive voice.”  (CMO Participant)

“I loved SYNC and how it was a catalyst in having us examine our processes and find ways to improve leadership that directly impacted patient care.” (Hospital Participant)

Scholarships Available through the Virginia Department of Health

  • Full SYNC program tuition, travel and hotel reimbursement is available to teams through the Virginia Department of Health and the Medical Society of Virginia Foundation. Note: the tuition cost of SYNC is valued at $7,500 per team.
  • In exchange, teams agree to focus their SYNC Capstone Project in one of the following areas: 1) Diabetes / Pre-diabetes, 2) Hypertension/High Blood Cholesterol/Heart Disease/Stroke, or 3) Cancer interventions.
  • Each project will be subject to a set of required data reporting for tracking, trending, and analysis purposes.
  • For a complete list of projects, measures or to discuss an idea further, visit the Registration page and begin the registration process.
  • All  submissions will be reviewed by VDH staff to determine scholarship eligibility. A notice of approval will be provided by the Medical Society of VA Foundation within 1 week of submission. Capstone Projects may be refined prior to Session 2.
  • Questions may also be directed to Patrick Wiggins, Disease Prevention Strategist at Patrick.Wiggins@vdh.virginia.gov.

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4 SESSIONS

  • The core of SYNC’s program is built around four hands-on workshops where teams learn about interprofessional collaboration and leadership from our nationally recognized faculty of field practitioners and our knowledgeable support staff.
  • Throughout the program, participants have access to SYNC faculty and the SYNC learning portal, which provides resources including curated literature, presentations, and additional training materials.

1 TEAM

  • SYNC is an immersive learning experience for healthcare teams of 2-5 participants, ranging from practice managers and CMOs to pharmacists and LPNs.
  • Organizations are allowed to send more than one team, but each team must include a physician and registered nurse in addition to other clinical and administrative staff you choose to send.

1 CHALLENGE

Teams get the chance to put the latest developments in interprofessional collaboration, leadership fundamentals, and creative problem solving to use during the SYNC Capstone Project.

  • Capstone projects let each team identify a current challenge in their organization or community, apply concepts from SYNC, and implement a real-world solution.
  • During the final workshop, teams have a chance to present their solution to faculty and SYNC participants.
  • Examples of previous Capstone Projects include:
    • Promoting community hypertension management
    • Building an interprofessional care consultation team for complex cases
    • Creating a community campaign to reduce AMI / coronary death
    • Improving patient flow for ED-admitted patients
    • Increasing community breast cancer screenings
    • Streamlining a prescription refill process

2019-20 SYNC TOPICS

SYNC participants will strengthen their knowledge and competencies in:

  • Interprofessional Collaboration
  • Leadership Fundamentals
  • 21st-Century Healthcare
  • Creative Problem Solving
  • Individual and Team Wellness

2019-20 SYNC SESSIONS

All in-person SYNC sessions are held in Richmond from 8 am to 5 pm at the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association offices.

  • Kickoff Reception – Evening of September 26
  • Session 1 – September 27
  • Session 2 – October 25
  • Session 3 – November 22
  • Session 4 – March 6, 2020

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS

  • Continuing Medical Education credits will be posted when the application has been approved

  • Continuing Nursing Education will be awarded commensurate with participation. Virginia Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

TUITION COST

LEARN MORE ABOUT SYNC