Chamber Holds Monthly Luncheon

By Alyssa Huskinson

members convened on Tuesday for the the organization's monthly luncheon, held at the .

First Bank Mortgage was one of the companies sponsoring the event. Brian Ivie, president and chief executive officer of Mercy San Juan Medical Center was the keynote speaker who addressed the future of health care.

Highlights of the meeting included the improvements made to Mercy San Juan, such as a new patient tower including 110 new private rooms and a shorter wait period. Ivie spoke on health care reform, which he said he considers has come at a dangerous time for health care consumers.

Ivies recommended www.healthcare.gov, which can be used as a learning tool to check out insurance plans and learn general information.

Mercy San Juan received the 2009 Superior Quality Merit Award and Ivie said he plans to continue to maintain this level of quality to insured and non-insured patients alike.

Throughout the duration of the meeting, Chamber members networked and talked business while enjoying lunch.

The next Chamber function is a mixer, on March 9 at the and the next luncheon is scheduled for March 22 at the Cypress Avenue Baptist Church.