Chapters continue to provide value to their members in unique ways. Following are examples of what several have been up to during the past year.
Name Change Provides Focus for ACHE of Eastern Pennsylvania
During the past several months, leaders of the Eastern Pennsylvania Healthcare Executive Network evaluated the chapter’s place within the regional healthcare community. After careful consideration and discussion among board members, leadership changed the chapter’s name to ACHE of Eastern Pennsylvania. The chapter serves
21 counties in eastern and northeastern Pennsylvania.
Patrick Simonson, FACHE, the chapter’s president, says the American College of Healthcare Executives’ reputation is highly thought of nationally within the field of healthcare administration. From the educational and networking opportunities presented to its members to the prestigious FACHE® designation, ACHE is the professional association of choice for healthcare executives throughout the country, he says.
“As we were looking toward the post-pandemic era of our chapter, we believed it was the perfect time to rename the organization,” Simonson says. “By transitioning the chapter to ACHE of Eastern Pennsylvania, it will give our chapter a stronger connection to ACHE’s overall brand.”
Following the official name transition in August, the chapter held a virtual event, its annual fall Healthcare Symposium, in October. The symposium provided members with a chance to catch up and earn up to six hours of education credit.
In addition to its name change, the chapter refocused and reenergized its board of directors. This included revising its strategic plan, increasing its members to 15 from nine, and adding chairs of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Early Careerists.
Warming Up to “Coffee With the College” Podcast in Wisconsin
The American College of Healthcare Executives—Wisconsin Chapter recently created a podcast to offer members more opportunities for professional connections and learning.
Called “Coffee With the College,” the podcast offers listeners a conversational venue that makes them feel like they’re having coffee with colleagues. Through a friendly conversation with a guest who shares stories, experiences and insights, the American College of Healthcare Executives—Wisconsin Chapter hopes listeners will learn more about issues that matter to healthcare leaders and professionals.
The podcast, launched in fall 2020, has offered programs on resilience, professional development success stories, public policy and the impact of big data analytics on healthcare. Visit achewicoffeewiththecollege.blubrry.net/ if you would like to listen or subscribe.
Focusing on Well-Being in Southeast Texas
Since the pandemic started, ACHE—SouthEast Texas Chapter has provided several programs focused on well-being, stress management and combating burnout. For a recent program, the chapter hired Andrew Tarvin, a national humorist, who focused on the importance of humor in our lives. He presented a virtual Humor Happy Hour and spoke about the scientific evidence behind the power of humor in a relaxed atmosphere. Following the hour-long presentation, during which plenty of laughs were shared, the chapter held an online networking session using breakout rooms. The chapter plans to continue providing opportunities for stress management and well-being for its chapter members in the future.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in North Texas
ACHE of North Texas is in the early stages of a deep dive to strengthen its DE&I efforts. At the chapter’s annual strategic planning retreat in November, the board facilitated discussions about unconscious biases and the need for the chapter’s leaders to espouse and embrace the strong proactive stances in the chapter’s new DE&I Statement. This includes the selection of diversity-centric educational topics for events; choosing a more diverse array of speakers and panelists to present at chapter events; and having each committee and the board vet and view everything the chapter does through a lens of ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion.
Although the leadership recognizes there is more they need to do, they hope ACHE of North Texas will be a beacon for other chapters in their efforts to make all individuals in the healthcare community feel included and welcome.
To find your chapter or search the chapter directory. To discuss your ideas for chapters, contact Jennifer L. Connelly, FACHE, CAE, vice president, Regional Services, Department of Executive Engagement, at (312) 424-9320 or jconnelly@ache.org.