It is hard to imagine that the end of my term as Chair of the American College of Healthcare Executives is now past. What a privilege it has been and continues to be to serve in a leadership capacity to advance the mission, vision and values of ACHE. Serving as Chair was truly a pinnacle highlight in my career in healthcare administration. I look forward to serving you this year as your Immediate Past Chair.
The success we all shared during my time as Chair has truly been inspiring. Let me provide just a few numbers that help illustrate our achievements: 7,506 new members joined ACHE in 2022, and 706 of you became board certified in healthcare management as an ACHE Fellow. Our chapters also did a fantastic job. Last year, they delivered more than 1,210 close-to-home opportunities for networking, education and career development activities. Attendance levels were also strong, with more than 62,000 participants. The total chapter education program hours for 2022 was 2,859, and total attendee hours for the year was 232,862. This kind of participation goes a long way toward extending the value of ACHE to your local communities.
The experiences I was afforded as Chair were a true gift to me. I am thankful and relished serving with our ACHE Board of Governors, especially the partnership with Past Chair Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE; Chair-Elect and now Chair Delvecchio S. Finley, FACHE; President and CEO Deborah J. Bowen, FACHE, CAE; and the ACHE leadership and staff, the “small and mighty team” that does so much in the background to carry out our goals and objectives to service and meet our members’ needs.
The evidence for strong, resilient leaders has never been more striking. ACHE has made great progress in continuing to refine its Strategic Plan, and I am excited about the continued focus on achieving our highest calling to advance health by leading through the lens of equity. This means that your professional organization will continue to serve as a thought leader and champion to drive solutions that advance equity. We will accomplish this by leveraging organizational partnerships, including chapters, to drive DEI efforts; creating essential resources for leaders to advance the creation of diverse, equitable and inclusive environments; and growing the number of diverse member leaders.
We also continue to champion and amplify the importance of safety, providing the tools and strategies needed to drive toward zero preventable harm. And I am pleased with the actions we have taken to identify new ways to enhance our ACHE-chapter partnerships and strengthen our interprofessional community, making ACHE the professional home for healthcare leaders across the care continuum.
Of course, our continued success will depend on educating, engaging and inspiring those newer to leadership roles, including early careerists, to fulfill their highest potential in the profession throughout their careers.
I sincerely enjoyed the opportunity to attend the various ACHE chapter annual meetings, listening and recognizing our members and the great work and advancements led through the chapters to meet their needs. It was also a privilege to attend and present at the International Hospital Federation’s 45th World Hospital Congress in Dubai in November, being among health leaders from around the globe to share, learn and network on challenges and best practices.
Lastly, I am touched by the fact that my message to make sure you take time to take care of yourself (self-care/self-love) resonated with so many people. It’s a reminder for all of us that we have to take care of ourselves first so that we can take care of others and those whom we are privileged to serve. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as Chair, and I look forward to continued service and commitment toward our ongoing successes and progress toward being the preeminent association for healthcare leaders.
Anthony “Tony” A. Armada, FACHE, is ACHE’s 2023–2024 Immediate Past Chair and executive vice president and chief transformation officer, Generations Healthcare Network, Lincolnwood, Ill. (aarmada@generationshcn.com).