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Fall 2022 Newsletter

Message From Your ACHE Regent

Greetings!

Just as quickly as the Iowa weather can turn, this fall has flown by. It’s been a busy few months during which I’ve had the opportunity to visit with many ACHE members from across the state, in addition to connecting with ACHE Chapter leaders from across the country. Whether near or far, it seems that the challenges we are all facing in healthcare are grand and these are truly character-building times. I encourage you to look to ACHE as a resource and trusted partner as you tackle these challenges and endeavor to grow professionally.

In order to help you navigate this rapidly changing healthcare environment, ACHE looks to our Strategic Plan to help guide our focus, direction and priorities in supporting and bettering our members and our profession. During this past quarter, I had the privilege to attend two ACHE events that allowed for input into our strategies and priorities. The first event was in late September at the ACHE Chapter Leaders Conference in Chicago. This conference brought together many members of the Board of Governors, Council of Regents, and Chapter Presidents and/or President-Elects. The keynote speaker led a discussion and small group brainstorming around Design Thinking and Value Proposition Design.

The other strategic planning event I was invited to attend was with the ACHE of Iowa Board of Directors. During the November 4 planning session in Des Moines, Chapter President John M. Heinemann, FCHE led the group through a planning exercise looking at the Chapter’s current profile and performance, SWOT, committee structure and chapter goals/outcomes for the next three years. After the past two-plus years, it was refreshing to be able to get together with this group in person to plan for the future of the chapter.

Also during this past quarter, we had the ACHE of Iowa Annual Meeting in October. The meeting was held over breakfast before the Iowa Hospital Association’s annual meeting. At the meeting, I was honored to present this year’s Regent Award to Thomas P. Mulrooney, FACHE. Tom’s contributions to the development of others in the healthcare profession and his dedication and participation in ACHE activities were specifically noted. Congratulations Tom!

Lastly, in late September I was able to visit with MHA students at the University of Iowa. Visiting the ACHE Higher Education Network (HEN) programs in the region is one of the privileges of Regent and one of the responsibilities in which I most looked forward. The students were engaged, asking questions and having a dialogue with Angela Claytor (ACHE member and Iowa Ambassador for NAHSE Heartland), John Heinemann and myself about ACHE and NAHSE. In December, I’m scheduled to meet with Des Moines University MHA students and we are working on a date to meet with St. Ambrose MPH students this semester.

All the events from this past quarter have left me excited and optimistic about the future of ACHE and our profession. I encourage you to get involved and reach out to your ACHE of Iowa chapter leaders to see how you can help.

A few parting announcements/reminders to share:

  • Renewed Virtual Face-to-Face Education Credits – Board of Governors approved an extension of virtual Face-to-Face Education credit programs through June 30, 2023.
  • Registration is now open for the ACHE 2023 Congress on Healthcare Leadership, March 20-23, 2023.
  • Reminder to renew your ACHE membership for 2023.

Stay well,

Sam

Sam Schone, FACHE
Regent for Iowa
Market Director, Orthopedics & Neurosciences
MercyOne Central Iowa