The American College of Healthcare Executives is dedicated to advancing healthcare management excellence. We fulfill that vision in many ways, including our educational offerings, credentialing program and collaboration with other healthcare organizations. Through their volunteer activities, ACHE members also play a critical role in strengthening our profession. In appreciation of the extensive volunteer involvement of our members, we have implemented the American College of Healthcare Executives Recognition Program.
The ACHE Recognition Program celebrates members’ commitment to the healthcare management profession. Recognition is bestowed at three levels, based on a range of specific volunteer activities that demonstrate leadership and contributions to furthering professional excellence. All active ACHE members are eligible to be recognized.
The ACHE Recognition Program is based on points accrued through volunteer activities performed in a convocation year (April–March). Points accrue for members beginning with the 2003–2004 convocation year and are cumulative from year to year. A member does not need to achieve a set number of points in a single year, but rather will build over time. In that manner, members have the opportunity to progress through the three award levels.
Awardees will be acknowledged at their local ACHE chapter, with each chapter determining an appropriate time for the annual award ceremonies.
Research indicates that improved diversity and inclusion in healthcare leadership results in more equitable healthcare outcomes for all communities. In 2021, the Thomas C. Dolan Program expanded to include the Career Accelerator Program. This new component is designed for diverse leaders in manager or director-level positions to support their career advancement. CAP provides education and networking through a virtual environment to help prepare diverse leaders for higher level positions in hospitals, health systems or other healthcare organizations.
The Thomas C. Dolan Career Accelerator Program is offered exclusively in a virtual environment through interactive live webinars, self-study materials and networking sessions with peers. Dolan CAP scholars are empowered through a structured curriculum that:
Cultivates a strong leadership presence.
Sharpens expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion.
Assists leaders in determining their career pathways.
Expands capacity to navigate career opportunities and challenges.
The Thomas C. Dolan Career Accelerator Program is a 6-month virtual program and includes these key features:
Formal leadership education offering the opportunity to earn over 20 ACHE Face-to-Face Education and continuing medical education credits for physicians, nurses and physician assistants.
Specialized learning experiences to delve into diversity, equity and inclusion in a healthcare setting.
Tailored virtual group mentoring sessions.
Frequent networking with a broad range of healthcare leaders, including former Dolan Scholars.
Research suggests that improved diversity and inclusion in healthcare leadership results in more equitable healthcare outcomes from all communities. Since 2014, the Thomas C. Dolan Executive Diversity Program has offered specialized leadership development for diverse leaders. EDP is designed for leaders in senior executive roles or those in C-suite positions who aspire to higher level or larger responsibility roles.
The Dolan Executive Diversity Program offers exclusive access to convenient learning and networking options, including interactive in-person education offerings, live webinars and collaborations with their cohort peers. Dolan Scholars are empowered through a structured curriculum and activities that:
Cultivates strong leadership presence.
Sharpens expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion.
The Thomas C. Dolan Executive Diversity Program is a six-month program and includes these key features:
Formal leadership education offering the opportunity to earn over 50 ACHE Face-to-Face Education and continuing medical education credits for physicians, nurses and physician assistants.
Senior-level career assessments.
Specialized learning experiences to delve into diversity, equity and inclusion in executive settings.
All selected Executive Diversity Program Scholars will also participate in the Executive Program. The Executive Program, divided into three cohorts, are designed for director and vice president-level leaders (executive cohort), senior vice president and those taking their next steps to C-suite (senior executive cohort) and physician leaders who are transitioning to administrative roles (physician executive cohort). For more information, please visit the In-Person Executive Program course page.
Specially selected mentors for one-on-one interactions.
Innovative, interactive in-person and virtual learning and networking throughout the program.
2023 Program Schedule
February
Feb. 13–Program Application Opens
April
April 10, 11:59 p.m.–Program Application Closes
May
May 10–Scholarship Recipients Notified
Scholar Goal Interviews
May 31–Program Orientation (Virtual)
June
Mentor/Mentee Strategy Discussions (Virtual)
Personal Coaching Session (Virtual)
June 24–Introductory Dinner (Atlanta)
June 25–In-person Session One (Atlanta)
June 25-27–Executive Program Participation (Atlanta)
This is it. My time as Regent is coming to a quick end. My reflection is taking me back 23 years, not simply the last four. You see, in 2000 I became a healthcare administrator commissioned in the U.S. Navy, and was ready to take on our beloved career field. My boss, who quickly became my mentor, CAPT Darin Rogers, FACHE (USN, Retired), gave me a list of instructions all of which were must dos. At the top of the list were three items:
Join the American College of Healthcare Executives
Work towards board certification in healthcare management and
Volunteer across the community inside and outside of the Navy. I didn’t realize until now the value of his advice.
Professional affiliation with ACHE is, and continues to be, at the foundation of my career. It has lived up to everything the membership promises: a mission of “advancing leaders and the field of healthcare leadership excellence.” I have enjoyed reaping the benefit of membership, but I continue to equally enjoy giving back to our profession through ACHE service and mentoring the next generation of healthcare leaders. Each opportunity afforded to me has been instrumental to my ongoing education, networking, and of course my personal professional growth. I encourage you to maximize your membership through education, networking and mentorship, as a mentor and protégé.
Our day-to-day work is extremely busy and it is easy to get lost in our projects, strategy development, HR issues, even a pandemic. Finding time for professional development and stimulation is paramount, and it is an investment that only we can do for ourselves. From my days of serving you in an at-large seat, then Communications Director on the ACHE -North Florida Chapter board to today, it has been an honor to support the mission of our professional organization and colleagues who will follow in those roles.
If you know me, you know me! You will remain on my radar, and I will support each of you in whatever capacity and way I can. Supporting the careers of others is in my DNA and is attributed to the days I served in our U.S. Navy, as well as my current and continued affiliation with ACHE. So, until I see you next time, be well!
Normalcy. We are all trying to get there but many things have occurred and continue to stretch us and really, what is normalcy?
Over the past three years, our work required creativity, agility, and an enormous scope of humility so we could be the best motivators for our respective teams. Despite very trying days, we know our teams lean on and expect us to provide the direction and assurance—as they should. It’s an important duty as a leader. When it feels hard to be thankful, push, we absolutely have lots to be thankful for, including our family, friends and colleagues. Let out that sigh and step into the crack, even if it is tiring. We have faced challenges head on, repeatedly.
The one thing that is normal, despite the turmoil of recent days, is that the fact we can lean on each other to provide valuable advice and, if nothing else, just for a bit of encouragement. We can count on each other to remind us that hard days always yield valuable lessons and opportunities for the future. In our profession, change is constant and we are built for it. Hold tight to your strength and your relationships, normalcy hasn’t left us.
ACHE Call for Nominations for the 2023 Slate ACHE’s 2022–2023 Nominating Committee is calling for applications for service beginning in 2023. ACHE Fellows are eligible for the Chair-Elect and Governor vacancies and are eligible for the Nominating Committee vacancies within their districts. Those interested in pursuing applications should review the candidate guidelines for the competencies and qualifications required for these important roles. Open positions on the slate include:
Nominating Committee Member, District 2 (two-year term ending in 2025)
Nominating Committee Member, District 3 (two-year term ending in 2025)
Nominating Committee Member, District 6 (two-year term ending in 2025)
Four Governors (three-year terms ending in 2026)
Chair-Elect
Please refer to the following district designations for the open positions:
District 2: District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
District 3: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
District 6: Air Force, Army, Navy, Veterans Affairs
Candidates for Chair-Elect and Governor should submit an application to serve that includes a copy of their resume and up to 10 letters of support. For details, please review the Candidate Guidelines, including guidance from the Board of Governors to the Nominating Committee regarding the personal competencies of Chair-Elect and Governor candidates and the composition of the Board of Governors.
Candidates for the Nominating Committee should only submit a letter of self-nomination and a copy of their resume.
Applications to serve and self-nominations must be submitted electronically to jnolan@ache.org and must be received by July 15. All correspondence should be addressed to Michael J. Fosina, FACHE, chair, Nominating Committee, c/o Julie Nolan, American College of Healthcare Executives, 300 S. Riverside Plaza, Ste. 1900, Chicago, IL 60606-6698.
Following the July 15 submission deadline, the committee may meet to determine which candidates for Chair-Elect and Governor will be interviewed. All candidates will be notified of the committee’s decision via email by Sept. 30, and candidates for Chair-Elect and Governor will be interviewed in person Oct. 27.
The FACHE® credential is the standard for board certification in healthcare management. Obtaining this prestigious credential signifies hard work, dedication and commitment. To thank you for your efforts, when you submit your completed application by June 30, 2021, along with the $250 application fee and all supporting documents, we’ll waive the $225 Board of Governors Exam fee for approved applications.
Learn more about the requirements to sit for the Exam and the resources available to help you prepare.
Connect With Fellow Members
We are pleased to offer members three new, free online communities for physician executives, Asian healthcare leaders and LGBTQ healthcare leaders. The communities’ platform makes it easier than ever for peers to connect in real time, tackle issues together and ask important career-related questions. Members can participate in discussion threads, share resources and best practices, and crowdsource innovative ideas and solutions.
Under “Helpful Links” on the right-hand side, click the last option, “My Communities.”
Click the “Add” button to choose the online communities you wish to join. An MD or DO degree is required to join the Physician Executive Community.
Watch your inbox for your welcome email and instructions to access your new community! The email will arrive within 24 hours.
We hope you will join these communities. If you have any questions, please email communitymanager@ache.org.
Executive Diversity Career Navigator The Executive Diversity Career Navigator is an online resource designed for healthcare leaders from underrepresented groups to successfully navigate their career path to senior-level positions. By enhancing diversity in leadership, the EDCN will help cultivate a diverse healthcare workforce that is best equipped to address disparities in care and access—effectively improving health for all.
EDCN offers its users access to information, tools and inspiration for navigating their career paths to senior level positions. It is a place for healthcare leaders from diverse backgrounds and at all career levels to learn from others who have successfully navigated their route to C-suite healthcare management. Learn more about EDCN.
Forum on Advances in Healthcare Management Research
ACHE is inviting authors to submit proposals to present their research at the 15th annual Forum on Advances in Healthcare Management Research. This session will take place during ACHE’s Congress on Healthcare Leadership, March 27–30, 2023. The lead presenter of each selected proposal will receive a complimentary registration to Congress. Learn more about the selection criteria and submission instructions. Submit your up-to-400-word abstract by July 11, 2022.
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