2023–2025 Strategic Plan
The Board reaffirmed the Strategic Plan for 2023. ACHE follows a three-year strategic planning cycle, and 2022 was year one. The plan builds on the progress ACHE made in adapting to the evolving climate for leaders. This includes engaging diversity partners in a next-level strategy for diversity, equity and inclusion.
In addition, the Board was updated on ACHE’s education, credentialing and chapter initiatives for 2023. They include providing strong, relevant education delivered in a variety of formats, including virtual, and accelerating the digital experiences for members; building on the success of the FACHE® credential; and strengthening our partnership with chapters.
Strategic Imperatives
The Board discussed an update on the Strategic Plan’s three pillars: Trusted Partner, Catalyst and Connector.
Technology Acceleration Plan
In our role as Trusted Partner, ACHE is committing to deepening its engagement with members and the healthcare community through education, networking and career services to inspire and cultivate leaders to advance health. In doing so, we will accelerate the use of technology to proactively meet the challenges of a rapidly changing environment and create unparalleled digital experiences for leaders. As such, the Board has invested to ensure we use best-in-class platforms that support innovation, deliver frictionless digital access to ACHE’s products and tools, and provide an integrated and personalized experience. Chief among the priorities is embarking on a website redesign.
FACHE Leadership Campaign Update
Another element of our role as Trusted Partner is to accelerate adoption of board certification (FACHE) as the gold standard in healthcare leadership. Work continues to develop brand foundations that will communicate the value of the credential to healthcare leaders and recruiters, qualifying members or potential members, and current Fellows.
DEI Next-Level Strategy Update
In our role as Catalyst, ACHE will commit to leading for equity and safety. The Board spent considerable time in 2022 developing our strategic approach to DEI, which is focused on identifying the specific competencies that drive inclusive cultures. ACHE will also pursue a partner to help develop a competency model and tools that individuals and organizations can use. Next-level steps will be communicated as the project plan is finalized.
ACHE-Chapter Partnership 3.0 Model
In our role as Connector, ACHE will commit to growing our professional community across the healthcare continuum by leveraging our partnerships with chapters and other organizations. In doing so, we will identify new ways to enhance the ACHE-chapter partnership and better leverage the role of chapter leaders and volunteers in providing value to members. A project is underway to analyze the current chapter partnership and recommend refinements. More details of this work will be communicated in the second half of 2023.
Budget Approved
The Board approved the 2023 budget for ACHE and the Foundation. Within the budget, operational priorities include increasing membership and engagement, growing programming for the 2023 Congress on Healthcare Leadership and other events, and identifying new publishing opportunities.
International Update
The International Hospital Federation’s 45th World Hospital Congress took place Nov. 9–11, 2022, in Dubai. The event included more than 800 registrants with a U.S. delegation of more than 60 attendees. Deborah J. Bowen, FACHE, CAE, presided as the IHF president. ACHE Chair Anthony “Tony” A. Armada, FACHE, was a featured faculty speaker. The recipient of the ACHE Healthcare Management Excellence Gold Award was Emirates Health Services (United Arab Emirates), Mental Health of Older Adults Clinical Academic Group. In conjunction with the American Hospital Association, ACHE hosted a reception for U.S. delegates. Additionally, an ACHE Leadership Development exhibit booth helped connect attendees with our educational resources.
ACHE Learn Update
The Board was given an overview of what members can expect at the 2023 Congress on Healthcare Leadership, to be held March 20–23 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, and other education offerings.
Congress will include over 150 education and networking sessions, including traditional signature events such as luncheons, Hot Topics and the Masters Series. Regent activities will occur on Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19.
Other ACHE educational offerings this year will include a Virtual Leadership Symposium in May and in-person seminars in New York (July), Austin, Texas (October) and Orlando, Fla. (December). Popular programming, such as the Executive Program, virtual seminars, virtual Board of Governors Exam preparation and the virtual Health System Simulation, will also continue.
Committee Reports and Policy Statements
The Board reviewed reports and accepted recommendations from several committees.
These reports represent the work of hundreds of volunteers who contribute their time and talent to ACHE. In addition, the Board approved changes to several Policy Statements.
The following statements were updated:
- “Board Certification in Healthcare Management”
- Code of Ethics
- “Ethical Issues Related to a Workforce Reduction”
- “Ethical Issues Related to Workforce Shortages”
- “The Healthcare Executive’s Responsibility for Professionalism”
- “The Healthcare Executive’s Role in Ensuring Quality and Patient Safety”
- “Impaired Healthcare Executives”
- “Statement on Diversity”
All Policy Statements can be found at ache.org/PolicyStatements, and all Ethical Policy Statements can be found at ache.org/EthicsPolicyStatements.
FACHE Continuing Education Policy
Since September 2021, the Board of Governors has had ongoing discussions about how to evolve the FACHE credential in light of the onset of virtual offerings and the positive response to them. Temporary rules set during the pandemic allowed ACHE Face-to-Face Education credit to be awarded in certain virtual environments. These virtual options have been well-received by our members and remain in high demand, with feedback noting that virtual education is a valued component of professional development.
In December, the Board approved revised FACHE credentialing criteria. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, 36 hours of continuing education must consist of: 12 hours of In-Person Education credit, 12 hours of Virtual Interactive Education credit and 12 hours of Qualifying Education credit. For more information, visit ache.org/FACHE-2024.
The FACHE remains the most recognized credential of a leader’s competency and commitment to healthcare management.
Next Meeting Planned
The next face-to-face meeting of the Board of Governors is scheduled for March 17. Highlights of that meeting will be published in a future issue of Healthcare Executive.