On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Pegeen Townsend joins Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to discuss the proactive steps hospitals and healthcare providers are taking -- including partnering with local health departments -- to expedite the vaccine rollout; the challenges and opportunities related to the accelerated shift to telehealth amid the COVID-19 pandemic; and priorities for the 2021 session.Pegeen Townsend is vice president of government affairs for MedStar Health. In her role, Townsend oversees all government relations activities in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and at the federal level for MedStar Health. She is charged with building MedStar's relationship with local, state, and federal officials to elevate the system as a key provider in the region, pivotal to the healthcare industry. In addition, Townsend leads initiatives that place MedStar Health in a more active role regarding relevant issues and new policies being debated and/or resolved through legislative and regulatory action.Prior to joining MedStar Health, Townsend was the senior vice president for legislative policy with the Maryland Hospital Association where she led the association's legislative team in its advocacy efforts in Annapolis and Washington.MACo has made the podcast available through all major platforms by searching Conduit Street Podcast. You can also listen on our Conduit Street blog with a recap and link to the podcast.You can listen to previous episodes of the Conduit Street Podcast on our website.Useful LinksMedStar HealthPrevious Conduit Street Coverage: 2021 MACo Issue Previews                                                         Helpful 2021 Session Links:                 Maryland General Assembly website | 2021 Dates of Interest | Issue Papers                  Re-opening procedures: Senate | House of Delegates | House Committees                   Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database                                      MACo’s 2021 Priorities  |  MACo’s 2020 Wrap-Up