CT Association of Healthcare Executives and ACHE—North Florida Chapter worked with the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs and local universities, respectively, to bring valuable education and networking opportunities to their members. Learn more about the programs from these ACHE chapters.
Caring for Those Who Serve
CT Association of Healthcare Executives co-hosted an educational event this past spring at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System with the Regent for Veterans Affairs. The session was titled “Caring for Those Who Served: VA Care: Excellence in Mental Health, Research, High Reliability and Innovation—An Educational Networking Program.”
The event was the brainchild of Leslie Zucker, FACHE, health system specialist, Office of the Director/CEO, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, and CT Association of Healthcare Executives’ co-chair of the Higher Education Committee. She brought the idea to the chapter and coordinated the entire event. Attendees acknowledged it provided an excellent educational experience and networking opportunity for the chapter’s membership.
Participants received an overview of the Veterans Affairs healthcare system, with a warm welcome from Russel Armstead, acting medical director for VA Connecticut Healthcare System, and an ACHE Member.
Three topics of interest were presented. The first was “Oncology Clinical Trials Program and Care Coordination,” which was particularly interesting to attendees because of the significant amount of research the VA does with cancer trials benefiting patients and research.
Next was “Mental Health & the Opioid Epidemic Through Innovation, Research and Service Integration.” It acknowledged that substance use remains a challenge for all Connecticut residents, and veterans are no exception. The VA and VACHS are addressing this issue in a multipronged approach, and this presentation addressed the services and treatments available for veterans at VACHS as well as innovative initiatives, including safe opioid prescribing initiatives and harm reduction modalities.
The final presentation of the day was “Battlefield Acupuncture,” facilitated by Daniel Federman, MD, FACP, chief of medicine, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, and professor/vice chair of medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. Battlefield acupuncture is an alternative chronic pain management treatment provided to veterans at the chronic pain clinic at the VA Medical Center in West Haven, Conn. Attendees were impressed to hear how this therapy can be used in the clinical setting.
The Importance of Networking With New Graduates
Networking opportunities became limited during the shutdown. Organizations got creative with virtual connections, but making meaningful connections virtually became challenging. Networking with various members of healthcare organizations is even more critical for graduating college students than professionals already in the field.
That is why this past May, ACHE—North Florida Chapter collaborated with the University of North Florida to host its first in-person event of the year. The chapter sponsored the University of North Florida’s Healthcare Administration Student Alliance banquet, which served as a celebration of undergraduate and graduate students’ academic and extracurricular achievements. Numerous students were recognized by their professors, support staff and mentors for their hard work and dedication to their studies, commitment to the healthcare administrative field and commitment to the overall well-being of the community.
The audience enjoyed an informative presentation from Mary O’Connor, MD, co-founder/CMO, Vori Health, who shared her life and challenges as a pioneer female orthopedic surgeon.
The banquet did more than celebrate the students. It alerted the local healthcare leadership of the amazing local pool of talent waiting to join their organizations and make meaningful connections with them.
ACHE—North Florida Chapter currently hosts and collaborates with five universities within its region, which produce hundreds of graduates into the local job market every year. The chapter has been working to increase its collaboration efforts with universities this year and pledges to provide more opportunities for graduates to connect with local healthcare executives.
To find your chapter or 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.