Chapters provide valuable programming to their members in a variety of formats. Learn more about what chapters in Indiana, New York and Washington have been up to.
Indiana Healthcare Executives Network
To engage its members, the Indiana Healthcare Executives Network uses an innovative idea called “Coffee With a Local Leader.” The free, 30-minute webinar showcases Fellows who provide their valuable leadership insights and expertise to attendees who are primarily students and early careerists. The series is led by Elena M. Smith, the chapter’s Early Careerist Committee chair.
Now in its third year, the “Coffee With a Local Leader” virtual series has become a successful and impactful offering for the chapter, as it provides a platform for those just starting out in their career to connect with and learn from Indiana healthcare leaders who have obtained their FACHE® credential.
A strategic focus and goal of the webinars are to highlight Fellows who have diverse professional backgrounds; who are from various organizations; who have diverse positions and titles; and who are diverse in gender, race and ethnicity. This demonstrates that no two leaders’ paths are identical. It also highlights the various career paths available in the healthcare field and the importance of joining ACHE early in one’s career. The series has also established valuable partnerships with state universities and colleges, providing a pipeline for students to network and learn about Indiana Healthcare Executives Network and ACHE. As the chapter looks forward to continuing this series, it remains committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, and fostering a supportive and engaged healthcare community in Indiana.
Healthcare Leaders of New York
During the past year, Healthcare Leaders of New York has launched multiple initiatives aimed at connecting the community and positioning its student members for high-quality professional education. Two events of note include Meet Your HLNY Representative and the Leonard Achan Sr. Health Equity Mentorship Program.
Meet Your HLNY Representative affords an opportunity for senior chapter board members and volunteers on the Higher Education Network Committee to interact with students in a casual environment and answer questions about ACHE, professional development, job searching, resume building or other relevant issues. This event has provided exposure for chapter volunteers to the community at large and has led to more students engaging with the chapter and removing career roadblocks. The chapter plans to continue hosting these events throughout 2023.
The Leonard Achan Sr. Health Equity Mentorship Program is a structured series that pairs Healthcare Leaders of New York student scholarship winners with C-suite executive mentors for a nine-month period. Launched in September 2022, the inaugural cohort of four students and their mentors met at an in-person kick-off meeting for an evening of networking and mentorship advice, as well as lesson plans for one-on-one sessions, establishing program expectations and an overview of ACHE benefits. The mentees and mentors were formally honored at the chapter’s 2023 Annual Gala in June, and they were encouraged to “pay it forward” for future iterations of the program.
Healthcare Leaders of New York is proud to continue pushing the boundaries of how it can better engage members and provide value-added programming.
Washington State Chapter of ACHE
The past several years have created unprecedented challenges for every chapter in maintaining member engagement, requiring innovative approaches to meet member needs through virtual offerings. Members of the Washington State chapter have expressed a desire to return to in-person events that allow them to connect with their colleagues across the state. In response, the chapter is working toward two exciting programs to enhance member engagement and meet those needs.
The first program is a “Better Together” networking event in the early stages of development. The chapter’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, along with its affinity groups, are partnering with its local National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives and Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society chapters to develop the event.
Members from diverse backgrounds, both culturally and professionally, can meet, network and collaborate, with a goal of fostering stronger relationships among leaders within the state.
The second opportunity for engagement is the chapter’s inaugural conference, where members can learn and connect closer to home. The conference will consist of networking opportunities and sessions where participants can earn ACHE Face-to-Face Education credit.
“We hope to create a platform for members to continue working toward and maintaining their status as Fellow and provide them with education to continue developing as leaders in our community,” says Dylan Blackburn, president-elect, Washington State Chapter of ACHE.
In addition, the chapter continues to host its quarterly DEI Discussion virtually, allowing members across the state to connect regularly, despite geographic barriers, and to continue developing tools and skills they can apply at their places of work to support DEI efforts.
The chapter looks forward to seeing its members in person and virtually during 2023, and plans to build off these events in 2024.
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.