2020–2021 Strategic Plan
Board members accepted the fourth quarter progress for the current Strategic Plan. The Board also approved the next iteration of the 2021–2023 Strategy Map and Overview, updating its commitments and priorities. In adopting the plan, Board members noted the possible expanded opportunities that ACHE may have to ensure its role as the market leader in developing the leadership capabilities for healthcare executives.
Additionally, the Board updated ACHE’s vision and mission statements. They now read:
Vision: To be the preeminent professional society for leaders dedicated to advancing health.
Mission: To advance our members and healthcare leadership excellence.
The Board recommitted to the core value of Diversity and Inclusion, updating the language as follows: “We champion diversity and foster inclusion to advance equity in the workplace and the communities we serve.” The Board noted the importance of ACHE’s work to drive toward equity. To that end, other changes were made to the plan to make our commitment more clear. While work is currently underway in many of our diversity efforts, ACHE will continue to identify where opportunities remain, measuring its progress toward D&I objectives for 2021. We remain committed to actively recruiting diverse leaders into the leadership workforce. ACHE will also continue to include diverse member experiences across all member-facing events and communications.
Learn more about the 2021–2023 Strategic Plan at ache.org/Strategy.
Strategic Planning Discussion
In preparing for the future, the Board participated in a strategic planning dialogue with ACHE’s strategic planning consultant, Paul D. Meyer, president and co-CEO, Tecker International LLC. Areas of focus for the upcoming year will include working with employers on leadership development, pursing new approaches for engaging early careerists and exploring new ways to support chapters. In the coming year, the Board will pursue a deeper dive into the plan to ensure continued relevance to ACHE and its members.
Business Meeting
The Board received the 2020 financial statements for the current period. Though this was a difficult year, ACHE remains a financially strong organization. In planning for next year, the Board approved the 2021 budget and work plan for the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Foundation of ACHE.
The Board also reviewed ACHE’s quarterly report of operations and the achievement of corporate performance objectives, and quality indicators for programs, products and services. Virtual programming offered by ACHE and its chapters has been well-received.
Committee Reports and Actions
We are fortunate to have over 600 volunteers who serve on ACHE committees. At this meeting, the Board receives the reports from committee discussions and acts on the recommendations of selected committees. Of considerable note are the changes made to four ACHE Policy Statements and one Ethics Policy Statement suggested by subject matter experts to the Board Policy Committee. Changes were made to the following statements:
“Considering the Value of Experienced Healthcare Executives Regardless of Age”
“Creating an Ethical Culture Within the Healthcare Organization” (Ethics Policy Statement)
“Healthcare Executives’ Role in Emergency Management”
“Increasing and Sustaining Racial/Ethnic Diversity in Healthcare Leadership”
“Preventing and Addressing Workplace Abuse: Inappropriate and Disruptive Behavior”
The Policy Statements are posted at ache.org/PolicyStatements. Ethics Policy Statements are posted at ache.org/EthicsPolicyStatements.
Other Actions
The Board also reviewed progress on plans related to the key priorities detailed below.
Advancing the Digital Experience
The Board received an overview of how the digital front door user experience will be simplified through a more focused approach to join, learn and advance.
Accomplishing this will require expanding digital channels (mobile apps) and increasing digital engagement through online “communities.” The objective is to increase product sales, online community engagement and member satisfaction.
Learn
The Board received an update on the goals for Health Administration Press in 2021, which are to increase focus on international sales, refine approaches to digital marketing, experiment with print-on-demand services and release audio books.
On the professional development front, the Board also received an update on advancement and recertification efforts, as well as progress
in Virtual Face-to-Face Education. The virtual Congress on Healthcare Leadership will proceed, with high-impact keynote speakers, Hot Topics, the Masters Series, Leadership Insights Series and networking. It was also noted that virtual face-to-face programming may expand through June, and plans are in place for in-person programming beginning in the third quarter.
International Activities
The Board of Governors received a presentation on the International Hospital Federation Virtual Forum that was held Nov. 4–5. ACHE’s President and CEO, Deborah J. Bowen, FACHE, CAE, is IHF’s president designate. Challenges addressed (during the pandemic) included financial concerns, global healthcare workforce shortages and psychological stress in the workforce. Looking ahead, IHF will focus on rethinking healthcare delivery, which includes enhancing digital response, agility and innovation and effective collaboration.
Next Meeting Planned
The Board of Governors is scheduled to meet March 3–4. Highlights of that meeting will be published in a future issue of Healthcare Executive.