CCMSD board tries new style of training

The Board of Trustees for Crook County Medical Services District (CCMSD) is taking part in a new style of board training this year. Provided by a San Diego-based company and designed to be fully online, iProtean is a “virtual education platform created exclusively for hospital leadership.”

Jeffery Adler and Anthony Ronga spoke with board members last week to launch the year-long program and provide a tour of the website. Adler expressed that he is, “Grateful for the opportunity to support each and every one of you this year.”

The training involved two courses each month, each lasting about 15 minutes on topics ranging from finance and governance to mission and strategy. A calendar is provided on which each person has scheduled learning each month.

An individual course begins with a five-question knowledge assessment. “It’s just an assessment of where you are with the content you’re about to watch,” said Ronga. Board members then watch the video to completion, which unlocks a “knowledge check” that again includes five questions and requires an 80% score to pass.

As well as these courses, said Adler, trustees can browse the selection of content and “enjoy as much as you want.” The company plans to accelerate its publication of new material this quarter, he said, so “There will be quite a bit that you can look at as interest exists.”

If the five trustees complete 85% of their combined courses, Adler said, the company will reward CCMSD with a discount on next year’s membership. He also explained that CCMSD may select up to ten individual learners within its contract, so executive staff members may also take courses of use to them.

Adler encouraged the district to take advantage of this so as to create continuity and “connective tissue” between the board and staff members.

Because CCMSD was kind enough to take part in the company’s pilot launch, iProtean has agreed to provide an expert, or “thought leader” to facilitate conversations for the board for a maximum of 75 minutes on the topic of the board’s choice; for example, quality control or strategic planning. The company would ordinarily charge a premium for the time of a consultant, said Adler, but is providing one free of charge as a thank you.

Board members began their online training on Thursday and will continue to take courses throughout the year.