As an ACHE core value, diversity and inclusion is integral to the organization’s mission and daily work in creating a more diverse and inclusive healthcare leadership. Chapters are demonstrating their commitment through numerous programs and initiatives.
Each year, Regents-at-Large recognize chapters that actively demonstrate a commitment to and successful implementation of significant diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the chapter, community and healthcare management field.
Anthony A. Armada, FACHE, Chair, American College of Healthcare Executives, presented the awards and congratulated the winners during the conference’s opening session, thanking all chapters for their work fostering engagement in diversity and inclusion. The following chapters received the 2022 Regent-at-Large Awards, which were given during ACHE’s annual Chapter Leaders Conference in September.
Healthcare Leaders of New York
Healthcare Leaders of New York was honored in two ways: for its own work in recognizing a healthcare organization or institution for its DEI efforts, and for the chapter’s continued focus on delivering quality education to its members.
Each year Healthcare Leaders of New York honors a healthcare organization or institution of higher learning that has taken the American Hospital Association and the Institute for Diversity and Health Equity’s #123forEquity pledge; is making major strides in developing, training and hiring diverse healthcare leaders; and is implementing and executing diversity initiatives and programs.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center was awarded for its exemplary performance and implementation of programs focused on the elimination of health disparities, raising culture competence among healthcare leaders to ensure culturally responsive care and strengthening partnerships in the communities they serve.
Also annually, the chapter hosts a diversity-focused panel discussion. In 2022, the topic was “Cultivating an Inclusive Organization to Retain Diverse Talent.” The chapter hosted a networking event in collaboration with National Association of Health Services Executives and the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives. In 2021, the virtual panel event was titled “What’s in your Toolbox: How Executives Create One to Address Equity, Diversity, Access and Build Trust in Healthcare.”
Healthcare Leaders of New York continue to make strides and expand access to diverse programs, educate, train and collaborate with diverse healthcare leaders, while leading initiatives that address the community’s needs.
ACHE—North Florida Chapter
By forming alliances and partnerships with the National Association of Health Services Executives, the Florida Hospital Association and other state healthcare organizations, the ACHE—North Florida Chapter was honored for actively demonstrating a commitment to and successful execution of significant diversity and inclusion efforts. This, despite the challenges of leading the largest geographical ACHE chapter in Florida.
The alliances and engagement with its leadership has enabled ACHE—North Florida Chapter to create a best-practice environment with the other ACHE chapters in Florida, which resulted in the first statewide DEI event. The event furthered the discussion and laid a foundation for other organizations to follow.
The chapter, in partnership with NAHSE Florida, co-hosted an in-person career positioning event and dinner, enabling students and early careerists to be exposed to networking and career opportunities. The program had the chapter’s highest in-person attendance, with more than 150 members and potential members. It is this kind of intentionality around DEI that demonstrates ACHE—North Florida Chapter’s commitment to this area.
ACHE—MN Chapter
ACHE—MN Chapter was honored for its commitment to DEI, reflected in many of its recent activities and initiatives, including the following:
Incorporated perspectives in education programs from diverse leaders and organizations that serve diverse communities.
Formed alliances to support DEI such as partnering with the National Association of Health Services Executives Heartland Better Together Collaborative in Nebraska to increase and sustain diversity in healthcare leadership through quality educational programming, co-sponsorship and allyship.
Partnered with academic programs to support the development of emerging, diverse leaders who are representative of Minnesota’s rich diversity. ACHE—MN Chapter worked with The University of Minnesota School of Public Health Healthcare Leadership Symposium, which featured a session titled “Promoting Health Equity as a Strategic Priority.”
Strengthened its membership and mentoring to advance diversity. For example, an intentionally selected team of three board members and two early careerists received scholarships to attend a two-day training on strategic planning. Participants applied their learnings by facilitating the chapter’s strategic planning process. The early careerists continued to engage with the chapter by joining the Finance and Communications committees.
South Texas Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives
The South Texas Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives was honored for its strong diversity and inclusion efforts this past year.
The chapter hosted a DEI-focused in-person education session this past summer that had two panel discussions: “Fostering Inclusion of LGBTQ Patients and the Healthcare Workforce,” and “Understanding Implicit Bias and its Impact on Healthcare Leadership.” It also updated and approved a new chapter diversity statement, which included chapter diversity goals for 2022.
In addition, the DEI Committee partnered with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District to host health training for clinicians and administrators on health equity. Also, board members presented a session on a creating a safe classroom environment to express, discuss and debate DEI and social justice issues at the Association of University Programs in Health Administration Annual Conference in June.
These initiatives continue to support ACHE’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and are well-recognized by its members and other organizational stakeholders. Collaboration has already started with the Central Texas Chapter—ACHE to help support similar programming and educational events.
Washington Chapter of ACHE
This year, Washington Chapter of ACHE’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee made significant strides in their work to engage diverse individuals.
For example, the committee implemented quarterly “Meet and Mingle” events focused on DEI topics. The DEI committee has also created a “Discussion Agreement” that has been incorporated as a standard reflection at the beginning of every chapter event and meeting:
Tension and Conflict = Opportunities for Growth and Expansion
- Be present
- Listen and respect
- Honor confidentiality
- Trust intent
- Acknowledge impact
- Embrace imperfection
- Expect and accept non-closure
- THERE IS NO QUICK FIX
Also, the committee created a chapter annual award to honor individuals and organizations who embody and promote DEI. Criteria for the award included promoting an equitable environment of care for the communities they serve; engaging in efforts to create a welcoming environment for all or improve inclusion within their workspace or community; and serving as a role model for others by empowering those around them through DEI activities and professional advancement.
Additionally, a new affinity group, the Women’s Healthcare Executive Network, holds monthly meetings with female healthcare leaders in Washington who are interested in creating a diverse and supportive culture to foster networking and leadership. This group has one of the largest participation numbers of all its affinity groups. More affinity groups are in development, including one for LGBTQ healthcare leaders.
This committee is one of the most active areas in the chapter and it has made tremendous strides this past year in engaging the membership.
To find your chapter, search the chapter directory. To discuss your ideas for chapters, contact Stacey A. Kidd, CAE, director, Chapter Relations, Department of Executive Engagement, at (312) 424-9323 or skidd@ache.org.