ACHE chapters are providing a mix of in-person and virtual events to their members, resulting in old relationships rekindled, new ones formed and achievements recognized. Below are examples of chapters providing value.
Spring Symposium in the Washington, D.C., Region
National Capital Healthcare Executives, George Mason University and Rising Healthcare Leaders at Mason hosted the 2022 Spring Symposium in Arlington, Va. This all-day, in-person event brought together healthcare leaders from across the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region for dynamic panel discussions about navigating leadership in our people-centered healthcare industry.
Chapter members, students and industry professionals made meaningful in-person connections, shared in thoughtful dialogue and participated in professional development. National Capital Healthcare Executives members also offered one-on-one resume review sessions during the event for graduate students in attendance preparing to enter the healthcare field.
Panelists and speakers representing some of the region’s top healthcare organizations included the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Erickson Senior Living, Frederick Health, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Inova Health System, the University of Maryland Medical Center and UVA Health. Topics covered crisis management, implicit bias and emotional intelligence in healthcare.
“It was great to bring together some of the outstanding healthcare leaders from our region during the Spring Symposium,” says Dennis Grandic, director of programs, National Capital Healthcare Executives.
“We look forward to supporting our members’ professional, educational and leadership needs by offering additional in-person educational and networking events through the rest of the year.”
National Capital Healthcare Executives worked with Rising Healthcare Leaders at Mason for several months organizing and planning the event, which involved outreach, event promotion and navigating ever-changing safety protocols. The event reached capacity within three days of registration opening, with more than 120 people attending.
“After so much time apart since our last in-person event, it was evident our members were anxious to engage with one another,” says John Budd, FACHE, president, National Capital Healthcare Executives. “For many of our members who were unable to travel for ACHE’s Congress on Healthcare Leadership, this event was an impactful local alternative.”
After the event, RHLM student leaders donated extra food from the symposium to local housing shelters.
ACHE of South Florida’s Inaugural Chapter Appreciation and Recognition Event
ACHE of South Florida held its inaugural chapter appreciation and recognition event in May, its first in-person gathering of the year. About 200 people enjoyed a networking cocktail hour, musical entertainment, and a program that celebrated sponsors and members who have contributed to the chapter and the community.
“A dedicated event to formally recognize members who have shown their commitment to the organization and to appreciate our sponsors for the support that allows the board to bring chapter members educational, networking and special activities is important,” says Oyinkansola “Bukky” Ogunrinde, president, ACHE of South Florida, and the first Black woman to lead the chapter. “I am honored to lead the first installment of this occasion, alongside the chapter’s 2022 board of directors, the dedicated planning committee that produced the event and the volunteers who made the evening a success.”
A high point of the evening was the keynote given by Aurelio M. Fernandez III, FACHE, former president/CEO, Memorial Healthcare System, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and the recipient of the chapter’s 2021 Healthcare and Community Impact Award. Fernandez, who retired in April, shared reflections of his professional career, imparted leadership lessons learned along the way and left the audience with the powerful advice to readily take on challenges and simply learn from any mistakes made. “You go for it. It doesn’t matter if you fall, you can get up … and try again, but try it anyhow,” he said.
“After not holding a chapterwide signature event in over two years, it was so rewarding being able to recognize so many members, sponsors and supporters that had contributed to our chapter’s many successes in 2021,” said Kenneth Wong, FACHE, the 2021 chapter president.
The event also celebrated student members who participated in the chapter’s 2022 Annual Healthcare Leadership Case Competition. Florida International University took first place in the graduate division, and the University of Miami took first place in the undergraduate division.
Recipients of other awards presented included:
- 2021 Exceptional Service Award: Adrian Parker, FACHE.
- 2021 Leadership and Service Awards: Haroula Protopapadakis Norden, FACHE; Oyinkansola “Bukky” Ogunrinde; and Ralph Rios, FACHE.
- 2021 Regent Awards: Ayana J. Miller, FACHE; Rudy Molinet, RN, FACHE; and Cory P. Price, FACHE.
- Longest Consecutively Serving Active Board Member Honoree: Michelle F. Marsh.
- 2021 Chapter President Leadership Award: Kenneth Wong, FACHE.
- Chapter Regent Leadership and Service Award: Ashley R. Vertuno, FACHE.
“Being involved in ACHE has been a foundation for me throughout my career,” says Ashley R. Vertuno, FACHE, past Regent for Florida—Eastern, and CEO, HCA Florida JFK North Hospital, West Palm Beach, Fla. “This event enhances our community of healthcare leaders coming together to build the future generations of leaders. I am proud and honored to have served. I hope that by receiving this recognition for my service as Regent, I can continue to inspire other young professionals, particularly young women, to blaze their own paths in healthcare to positions of leadership and mentor them along the way, as others have done for me.”
New Ways to Engage Members
The California Association of Healthcare Leaders is one of the largest ACHE chapters, serving more than 1,300 members in 50 of California’s 58 counties. The incoming president, Michael O’Connell, FACHE, challenged the chapter’s board of directors and committee members to consider exploring new and different ways to engage members with networking and educational opportunities. Based on a membership survey, respondents said they were feeling disengaged after two years of the pandemic and wanted to connect with other members in new and meaningful ways. Members wanted events that allowed them to learn from one another, share their insights and perspectives, and get to know other chapter members on both a personal and professional basis.
In response, the chapter began offering one-hour free virtual networking sessions. Participants, without the aid of presenters or subject-matter experts, discussed current and relevant topics. Some members said this was the first time they had joined a chapter event, and others expressed appreciation for hearing new perspectives.
Working toward the goal of having every member of the California Association of Healthcare Leaders connecting with other ACHE members in at least one networking or educational event in 2022, chapter leaders had to think and act differently in their approach to expanding virtual access to such opportunities. The chapter contacted other chapters to see if they wanted to co-sponsor virtual events. Since reaching out, the California Association of Healthcare Leaders is now co-sponsoring events with four other chapters. This new opportunity has expanded offerings to more members and has forged new relationships and partnerships.
The chapter’s leadership learned a lot during the pandemic about creating new ways to help its members stay engaged. It also learned it’s critical to continuing listening to members, responding to their educational and networking needs, and expanding its offerings.
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