Q: What do I do if I have special diet request (vegetarian, vegan, etc.)
A: If you have any special diet requests, please note this under “attendee preferences” in your enrollment. To edit your enrollment, select “MY IHI”, View Enrollment History, Select the event, and select “edit attendee preferences.” You’ll see a box where you can enter any special request. When you’re onsite at the Forum, you’ll need to notify an IHI staff member (blue shirts) meal times and they’ll retrieve your special meal.
Q: Is it necessary to register for a session on Tuesday to be able to take part in the National Forum Clarion Case Competition?
A: The National Forum Clarion Case Competition is in fact a session that you select. So if you plan to attend this competition you cannot attend any Minicourses on Tuesday, December 9th.
Q: Are there a cheaper hotel options? Motel or youth hostel?
A: The following options offer rates under $100 a night, and are less than ½ mile way from the conference location.
Days Inn Nashville TN
2460 Music Valley Dr
Nashville, TN 37214, United States
615-889-0090
www.daysinn.com
Comfort Inn Opryland Area
2516 Music Valley Dr
Nashville, TN 37214, United States
(615) 889-0086
www.comfortinn.com
Best Western Suites Near Opryland
201 Music City Circle
Nashville, TN 37214-1220, United States
(615) 902-9940
book.bestwestern.com
For additional options visit http://www.kayak.com/hotels
.
Q: Is there a free or discounted shuttle service to/from the airport on Monday and Thursday?
A: From the airport to your hotel: You can check to see if your hotel offers complimentary service or you can purchase a one-way shuttle ticket from the airport to your hotel: http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-opryland/directions-transportation/transportation-services/groups/2008-institute-for-healthcare-improvement.html
From the hotel to the airport: IHI will offer complimentary return service from the Gaylord Opryland to the airport on Thursday, December 11th only. IHI will also be providing complimentary shuttle service to and from the conference each day from the following hotels: Radisson Hotel at Opryland, Sheraton Music City, Sheraton Nashville Downtown, Courtyard Marriott, Fairfield Inn, Guesthouse Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Hilton Nashville Downtown.
Q: I am new to quality improvement. Are there any articles or other resources available so I can prep for the National Forum?
A: Yes. Please see the following articles for more information:
Q: Are food or drinks allowed in meeting room?
A: Food and drinks are allowed in meeting rooms. We ask that participants clean up after themselves so that we can ensure quick turnover time between sessions. Water tanks will be available throughout the conference space as well.
Q: What is the temperature or weather like in Nashville at this time?
A: The weather is typically mild in December with temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees. Check out the December weather forecast: http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/USTN0357?month=1
Q: I was asked to help moderate a session. When can I expect to find out more about my responsibility and role?
A: If you are moderating a session you should have received a confirmation email from Allison Alling, aalling@ihi.org, with instructions and a description of your role. She will be conducting small training sessions at the Forum where you’ll get a better understanding of what is expected of the moderator before, during and after a session.
Q: How can I coordinate with other students to reserve a hotel room together?
A: We suggest that you post your inquiry in either the IHI Open School discussion board (http://www.ihi.org/ihi/forums/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=122) for other peers to see or post it on the Facebook group or event page [search “IHI Open School” under the group search]
Q: Are there still travel stipends available?
A: Unfortunately, we currently have given out all of the available travel stipends.
Q: I was given a travel stipend; I was wondering how to pursue reimbursement for hotel and travel expenses?
A: If you were fortunate enough to receive a travel stipend we ask that you keep all of your receipts for reimbursement after the National Forum. You will receive your funding after your attendance at the Forum is verified. Please complete the reimbursement form sent to you in the stipend confirmation email and return it with copies of all receipts to customer service at IHI by email (info@ihi.org) or by fax (617-301-4848) before January 16th, 2009. The reimbursement checks will be mailed soon after this date to the “pay to” name and address on the returned form.
Q: How will we be matched with mentors?
A: The point of the matching is to help students get the most value from attending the National Forum while also allowing mentors to help students create linkages between the knowledge they learned throughout the conference and what happens in real-life clinical settings. Each mentor will be assigned between 3-5 health professions students. We are going to do multiple tests since this is our first time doing this in which we will be assigning some mentors with those of the same discipline and other mentors with a variety of students from different disciplines.
Q: Will there be a coat-check for those of us not at the Opryland?
A: IHI will be providing a complimentary coat-check for those attendees not staying at the Opryland. There will be IHI “blue shirts” in the Presidential Lobby of the conference center checking coats each day conference day.
Q: When does the conference end on Thursday?
A: The final keynote with Susan Dentzer will end at 2:30 PM. To see a full agenda for each conference day please see: http://www.ihi.org/IHI/Programs/ConferencesAndSeminars/20thNationalForumonQualityImprovement.htm?TabId=2
Q: How do I obtain the conference materials?
A: In an ongoing effort to be “green,” conference materials will be provided to attendees upon registration via a flash drive. Attendees are encouraged to bring their laptops to the Forum so they can follow along with the presentations. IHI will also provide free wireless internet throughout the conference space in addition to recharging stations and printer kiosks for those who would like hard copies.
Q: What types of vendors or exhibitors will be there?
A: For more information about exhibitors at the National Forum, use the exhibitor search function to search for exhibitors by product/service or physical location. Or, view the 2008 National Forum exhibitor list.
Q: Who can we ask about what sessions would be right for us?
A: The student track was developed to help students navigate the sessions that are most applicable to quality improvement beginners. If you enrolled to attend the Student Forum Orientation you will be matched with a mentor who can help you determine sessions that are specific to your areas of interest.
