Record numbers of healthcare executives dedicated to advancing healthcare excellence attended this year’s sold-out event, March 25–28 in Chicago, to share big ideas and plans for the future.
Leaders at every level today confront two stark realities: doing more with less and the prevalence of old-school management techniques. Bestselling author Daniel H. Pink, an expert on innovation, competition and the changing world of work, kicked off the conference by demonstrating the new ways leaders are persuading, influencing and motivating others—including a thought-provoking discussion on how the four core regrets shared by people around the world contain the seeds of a reimagined and more powerful corporate culture.
In addition, healthcare executives have had to challenge themselves to be nimble and creative in the last five years, and Mick Ebeling, CEO of Not Impossible Labs, encouraged attendees to think about ways to maintain an innovation culture in a disrupted and strange new world during the Malcolm T. MacEachern Memorial Lecture and Luncheon. Ebeling empowered the audience with the gift of positive failure and reminded them that the healthcare landscape has never been more primed for breakthrough innovation.
Carla Harris’ keynote at the Arthur C. Bachmeyer Memorial Address and Luncheon focused on intentional leadership and tools that can help maximize success. Harris, senior client adviser at Morgan Stanley, provided critical guidance on the essential components of being a powerful and intentional leader, the power of perception and authenticity’s place in influential leadership. Abraham Verghese, MD, professor and vice chair, Theory and Practice of Medicine, Stanford University, focused his remarks at the Leon I. Gintzig Commemorative Lecture and Luncheon on another tool—one that is constantly in the news recently for both its power and pitfalls. Artificial intelligence could liberate providers from clerical burnout and allow more meaningful patient interactions, but Verghese cautioned that without forethought, oversight and user input, every new advance can have unintended human consequences.
Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, carried the theme of intentional leadership through to the Women Healthcare Executives Address on Tuesday, highlighting neuroscience-backed research that demonstrates how leading without fear allows people to tap into their creativity to solve problems and discussing how she has cultivated this approach as one of the leading female executives in healthcare today. And Roxie C. Wells, MD, chief physician executive and chief strategy officer, Novant Health, made the case for deliberately investing in the growth and development of diverse healthcare professionals—and shared strategies on how to prioritize diversity in executive leadership—in the Thomas C. Dolan Diversity Address.
Every year, an overarching theme of Congress is togetherness—networking, career advising, and sharing insights and best practices. Over the four days, we thanked our outgoing Board of Governors members for their tremendous service; welcomed new Governors and Regents into office; and honored our Fellows, friends and colleagues for their service to the healthcare profession and commitment to leadership excellence. ACHE also installed its new Chair, William P. Santulli, FACHE, president, Advocate Health–Midwest Region, Downers Grove, Ill., and Chair-Elect, Michele K. Sutton, FACHE, president/CEO, North Oaks Health System, Hammond, La. Delvecchio S. Finley, FACHE, president, Atrium Health Navicent, Macon, Ga., now Immediate Past Chair, concluded his time at the helm, having worked to foster ACHE’s ability to provide leadership in advancing well-being, eliminating healthcare disparities and helping healthcare workers connect to their purpose.
The following is a summary of the major award winners and others who were recognized throughout the week of Congress for their contributions to the healthcare field and to ACHE.
Swap Receives Gold Medal Award
The 2024 recipient of the American College of Healthcare Executives’ Gold Medal Award led both remote healthcare clinics and major metropolitan health systems during her more than 30 years of dedicated service to the United States Navy. She was a trailblazer for women in the military and for aspiring women healthcare executives—in addition to making significant contributions as a leader, guiding Navy Medicine through recent transformations.
The accomplishments of Rear Admiral Anne M. Swap, FACHE, include outstanding executive and operational performance, excellent mentorship and a laser focus on improving healthcare services and medical readiness. Throughout her career, she progressed to the highest levels of the military health system, including a role as director of the Medical Service Corps, which leads a diverse group of over 2,500 professional officers from 32 different specialties and is responsible for ensuring Navy Medicine has the capabilities to support Navy and Marine Corps operations around the globe. She also served as commander, Navy Medicine East, overseeing healthcare delivery for 78 hospitals and health clinics spanning from Chicago to Manama, Bahrain. As one of two regional commanders, she directed 19 commanding officers.
She was appointed as the director, National Capital Region Medical for Military Medicine, serving the president of the United States, congressional representatives, wounded warriors, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and families. This position included overseeing Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a major training platform responsible for providing the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps with fully trained physicians, dentists and medical professionals to serve on active duty and deploy throughout the world. During her tenure, Congress and the Department of Defense initiated budgetary pressures, which were exacerbated by the challenge to deliver exceptional service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these constraints, Rear Admiral Swap continued to provide a high level of cost-effective care to all service personnel, retirees and their families and led changes in the National Capital Market’s human capital structure.
Recognizing the need to mentor future military healthcare professionals, Rear Admiral Swap traveled across the country to speak with high school and college students about careers in military service. During these travels, she found time to discuss local healthcare issues with concerned veterans.
She has been a member of ACHE since 1989, has served on the Confidential and Nominating committees and has been a Regents Advisory Committee member with continuous service over the past 12 years. She has been recognized with the Senior Level Regent Award and the Service Award. Her volunteer service outside of ACHE includes a role as a human handler for the Facility Dog Program and helping others at her local church food pantry.
Rear Admiral Swap retired from active service after 32 years in July 2023. Her personal awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. She earned a Master of Public Health/Health Services Administration degree from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University.
Rear Admiral Swap spent her career improving military healthcare access and quality for the force. Colleagues note that she is the “epitome of what a healthcare executive should be personally and professionally.”
Publishing Awards
Vertuno Named Young Healthcare Executive of the Year
The recipient of the American College of Healthcare Executives’ 2024 Robert S. Hudgens Memorial Award for Young Healthcare Executive of the Year leads with a servant’s heart for the community and lifts others through mentorship. Her journey to date has epitomized a dedication to excellence in caring, compassion, commitment and innovation, driving revenue, community involvement and elevating standards of care.
Ashley R. Vertuno, FACHE, was featured in HCA Healthcare Magazine in 2020 as the youngest CEO in HCA at the time, paving the way for others who aspire to make a mark in healthcare leadership. As the CEO at HCA Florida JFK North Hospital, West Palm Beach, Fla., she has been the visionary leader for rebuilding and transforming a singular service line hospital to a more broadly acute care service hospital to meet the needs of the growing community. Ms. Vertuno has repositioned the organization with cultural transformation and has delivered on the leadership development commitment of building a diverse, talented executive team. She has energized the staff, physicians and community with an attitude of possibilities and opportunities, as well as increased the hospital’s market share and financial stability.
Ms. Vertuno has inspired more than a dozen leaders to advance to higher roles within JFK North Hospital and the wider HCA organization, and this supportive culture has delivered tangible results, including a decline in colleague turnover to 16% from 21% annually. She also has championed the need for a $65 million investment in the facility.
Ms. Vertuno’s remarkable journey in healthcare leadership shines brightly with seven out of nine executive team members being female. With the unwavering support of executive coaching, mentorship and sponsorship, she passionately leads the way for others aspiring to excel in this field, especially women. Her commitment to mentorship programs with organizations like Women in Healthcare Florida, East Florida Division Women Colleagues’ Network, the American Heart Association, and Girl Scouts of South Florida is a testament to her “why.” Through her guidance, she illuminates the path forward and shares the triumphs she’s achieved in overcoming obstacles, inspiring countless healthcare leaders on their own profound journeys.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Vertuno was COO at HCA Florida Westside Hospital, Plantation, Fla., where she led a three-story expansion that added 24 beds into the community. She accomplished this while ensuring patients had access to the most advanced cardiac care, even during a pandemic, and leading a team to implement the drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic model for HCA East Florida Division’s
14 facilities.
Ms. Vertuno received a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has been an ACHE Member since 2010. She is a current member of the ACHE Nominating Committee, the ACHE Florida Eastern Regent Advisory Committee and a member-at-large of ACHE of South Florida, as well as a mentor in the Leadership Mentoring Network.
She is a past Regent for Florida—Eastern and a past member of the Early Careerist Committee, the ACHE.org Editorial Committee and the Council of Regents Assessment Committee. Her achievements have been acknowledged with the ACHE Regent Award, the Service Award and the Distinguished Service Award.
She also has been recognized for excellence by numerous organizations as a young leader, including Modern Healthcare, the South Florida Business Journal and the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce.
Those who know Ms. Vertuno say her vision, strategic insight and can-do spirit are palpable as she sets lofty goals and encourages her teams to aim high.
2024 Joint Federal Sector Award Winners Recognized
The Federal Sector Awards recognize federal and military ACHE members who have demonstrated excellence in the healthcare profession, contributed to the advancement of ACHE and inspired other healthcare professionals to achieve excellence. These individuals have made significant contributions to ACHE and the profession of healthcare administration.Federal Excellence in Healthcare Leadership
Sponsored by Brig. Gen. (Retired) Donald B. Wagner, FACHE, U.S. Air Force, this award recognizes a federal (civilian or uniformed) ACHE Fellow who has made significant contributions to ACHE and the profession of healthcare administration.
CDR Eugene Smith Jr., DHA, FACHE, executive officer to assistant secretary of Defense/Health Affairs, Office of Secretary of Defense.
Federal Excellence in Healthcare Management
This award recognizes one federal (nonmilitary) ACHE member who developed and led, or continues to lead, innovative practices in healthcare management.
Jennifer Wasielewski, assistant director, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Military Excellence in Healthcare Management
This award recognizes one current or retired (past 12 months) uniformed service ACHE member who developed and led, or continues to lead, innovative practices in healthcare management.
LT Aaron-Christian T. Abreu, FACHE, flag aide to the Navy Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Falls Church, Va.
ACHE District Six Diversity and Inclusion Awards
Early Careerist Award
This award is given to an individual whose contributions have fostered a work environment that promotes inclusion and cultural competence and encourages contributions of all personnel to achieve the mission.
Edward C. Payton III, associate director, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Tenn.
Senior Leader Award
This award is given to an individual with a proven track record as an exceptional healthcare leader with outstanding accomplishments in leading change, motivating employees, mentoring and coaching a diverse cadre of senior executives.
CDR Eugene Smith Jr., DHA, FACHE, executive officer to assistant secretary of Defense/Health Affairs, Office of Secretary of Defense.
Governors Award
Issued to outgoing District Six Regents.
Alfred A. Montoya Jr., FACHE, is acting assistant under secretary for Health, Support Services, and deputy assistant under secretary for Health, Operations, for the Veterans Health Administration at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C.
Higher Education Network Award Winners
ACHE established the Higher Education Network Awards to recognize participants whose programs have demonstrated a commitment to engagement with ACHE. Please join us in celebrating these programs’ accomplishments.
Undergraduate Program—Brazosport College
Graduate Program—University of Iowa
Top Leader-to-Leader Participants Recognized
These three ACHE members recruited the greatest number of new Members and/or successfully encouraged advancement to Fellow in 2023 through the Leader-to-Leader Rewards Program:
Courtnay Caufield, DNP, FACHE
Kerrie Anne Ambort-Clark
CDR Temitope Ayeni, FACHE