In this issue:

1. Welcome Back From ACHE Chairman Alyson Pitman Giles, FACHE
2. Apply for the ACHE Postgraduate Fellowship and Minority Internship
3. Win up to $3,000 and a Free Trip to Congress!
4. Student Associate Membership Eligibility
5. Upcoming Changes to ACHE Chapters
6. Visit the Healthcare Management Students Area of ache.org

1. Welcome Back!

I would like to give you a warm welcome as you begin the 2007-2008 school year. Your status as a Student Associate of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) signals your commitment to the healthcare management profession. As a result, I hope you will be actively involved in ACHE throughout the upcoming year. Whether you attend Congress, a local ACHE chapter meeting or take advantage of the wide variety of programs and services ACHE provides, you will gain valuable networking and educational experiences that will help you in your career as a healthcare executive.

I want to wish you a successful school year and I hope that you will find ACHE as an important resource as you transition to your career in healthcare management.

Alyson Pitman Giles, FACHE 2007-2008 Chairman of the American College of Healthcare Executives

2. Apply for the ACHE Postgraduate Fellowship and Minority Internship

The Stuart A. Wesbury Jr. Postgraduate Fellowship was established in 1991 to further postgraduate education in healthcare and professional society management. This one-year fellowship provides an opportunity for the Postgraduate Fellow to work in all major ACHE divisions; the program’s content will be developed around the Fellow's special interests and in response to organizational needs. Applications will be accepted beginning October 1, 2007, and must be postmarked no later than December 1, 2007.

The American College of Healthcare Executives Minority Internship was established in 1991 to attract minority students into the fields of healthcare and professional society management and to further their postgraduate education. The three-month summer internship provides a chance for the Intern to rotate through all major ACHE divisions and will be developed according to the Intern's special interests. Applications will be accepted beginning October 1, 2007, and must be postmarked no later than December 1, 2007.

3. Win Up to $3,000 and a Free Trip to Congress!

ACHE is pleased to announce the 2008 Richard J. Stull Student Essay Competition in Healthcare Management. The competition is open to active ACHE affiliates who are enrolled in U.S. or Canadian undergraduate or graduate healthcare administration programs that are participants in the ACHE Higher Education Network. The competition encourages future healthcare executives to explore important issues in healthcare management.

First-place winners in the undergraduate and graduate categories will each be awarded $3,000; their academic programs will receive $1,000. Second- and third-place winners in each category will receive $2,000 and $1,000, respectively. The six finalists also will be invited to attend the 2008 Congress on Healthcare Leadership as guests of ACHE. Awards will be presented at the Leon I. Gintzig Commemorative Lecture and Luncheon during Congress.

Essays must be received at ACHE by close of business on December 7, 2007. For more information, contact Reed L. Morton, PhD, FACHE, associate director, Division of Research, at rmorton@ache.org or (312) 424-9444.

4. Student Associate Membership Eligibility

Have you been a Student Associate of the American College of Healthcare Executives for two years? If so, you may be required to convert to Member status to keep your affiliation. ACHE's "2+2+2 rule" states that Student Associates may maintain their membership status for two years at the bachelor's level, two years at the master's level and two years at the doctorate level. Please visit MY ACHE on ache.org to view your status. If your student eligibility is ending, you will receive a reminder e-mail from ACHE.

Learn more about the benefits of becoming a Member and apply online today!

5. Upcoming Changes to ACHE Chapters

This summer the ACHE Board of Governors approved some exciting changes to the ACHE chapter structure which have some positive effects for students. The Board of Governors unanimously decided to implement a fully combined membership structure of membership by January 1, 2009. The main benefit for students is that when fully implemented in January 2009, by joining ACHE at the national level you will automatically become a member of your local ACHE chapter and will not have to pay additional dues.

Watch for more details about the combined membership structure in future editions of the Student Associate Newsletter. In the meantime, contact your local chapter to find out how you can get involved today and participate in local education and networking opportunities the chapters provide.

6. Visit the Healthcare Management Students Area of ache.org

Are you looking for information about the programs and services ACHE provides for Student Associates? Visit the Healthcare Management Students area of ache.org to get comprehensive information about scholarships and awards, fellowships, networking and career services. Visit this area today to ensure that you are getting the most from your Student Associate membership!

Return to Student Associate Newsletter index.