- Remembering Former ACHE Chair Charles Stokes
- Quality and Patient Safety Through a Humanistic Lens
- A Conversation With the 2024 Hudgens Award Winner
- ACHE Seeks Nominations for Its Highest Honor
- A Framework for the Future of Healthcare
- Correctional Healthcare Conference Coming to Las Vegas
Remembering Former ACHE Chair Charles Stokes
Charles D. “Chuck” Stokes, FACHE, who served as Chair of ACHE from 2017–2018, passed away Tuesday, July 23. Stokes also served as ACHE Chair-Elect from 2016–2017 and Immediate Past Chair from 2018–2019.
“He was a relentless servant leader—authentic and transparent,” said Deborah J. Bowen, FACHE, CAE, president/CEO, ACHE. “In practice and focus, he believed that making a meaningful contribution is the best reward of all. He never gave up on anyone or anything.”
Bowen praised Stokes’ contributions to ACHE and the healthcare field, noting that the number of leaders he fostered is immeasurable.
In addition to serving as a Chair Officer, he was also a Governor from 2014–2016. He won numerous awards, culminating in 2020–2021 when he was selected as ACHE’s Gold Medal Award winner, the highest honor bestowed by ACHE on outstanding leaders who have made significant contributions to the healthcare profession.
Stokes was executive in residence at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and former president/CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System, Houston, where he served until his retirement in 2019.
He resided in Huntsville, Ala., and is survived by his wife, Judy, and three sons.
Quality and Patient Safety Through a Humanistic Lens
Join ACHE faculty Neel Pathak, DSc, FACHE, at a virtual seminar beginning Sept. 3 as he examines a unified strategy for the improvement of quality, patient safety and the human experience. In this new virtual interactive program “Bridging Quality, Safety, and Human Experience: Strategies and Tools for Excellence in Healthcare Delivery,” Pathak, assistant professor, Practice, Heider College of Business, Creighton University, highlights the importance of viewing these three aspects as interconnected pieces that fuel the success of a healthcare organization.
Participants will be introduced to evidence-based strategies and practical tools aimed at enhancing care quality and strengthening safety protocols—while seeing beyond the patient and focusing on whole person care delivery. The seminar will focus on the real-world application of these strategies and tools, equipping attendees with the necessary knowledge and skills for effective deployment in their own healthcare settings.
Completion of this program earns members 6 ACHE Virtual Interactive Education credits. Visit ACHE’s Education & Events page to register and learn more.
A Conversation With the 2024 Hudgens Award Winner
Ashley R. Vertuno, FACHE, CEO, HCA Florida JFK North Hospital, West Palm Beach, Fla., attributes her early success to coaches and mentors who have guided her journey. Winner of the 2024 Robert S. Hudgens Memorial Award for Young Healthcare Executive of the Year, Vertuno says, “I have been surrounded by amazing mentors and sponsors. I think that having the ability to have people believe in you, see your vision and help support your vision has really … allowed me to succeed.” She also adds that you’ve got to do the work.
In an ACHE video podcast episode, Vertuno discusses her healthcare leadership background, underscores the importance of vision in creating successful teams and offers advice for those who are beginning their healthcare management careers in her.
You can find the full library of Healthcare Executive podcasts here.
ACHE Seeks Nominations for Its Highest Honor
There’s still time to nominate deserving colleagues for ACHE’s highest honor—the Gold Medal Award. ACHE bestows this prestigious award on outstanding leaders who have made significant contributions to the healthcare profession like RADM Anne M. Swap, FACHE, 2024, and John M. Haupert, FACHE, 2023.
This award identifies Fellows who best exemplify leadership at the organizational, local, state/provincial and national levels, and who continually contribute to the improvement of the delivery of healthcare services and community health.
A Framework for the Future of Healthcare
Author Carla Jackie Sampson, PhD, FACHE, believes healthcare organizations have a responsibility to address environmental and social crises because of the potential impact they may have on community health. In her book, Environmental, Social, and Governance: A Framework for the Future of Healthcare, she explores the triumphs and lessons learned by healthcare organizations striving to improve the well-being of their communities.
This collection of adapted and expanded articles from the journal Frontiers of Health Services Management explains the benefits of and approaches to applying environmental, social and governance principles to healthcare organization management. Areas of focus include integrating ESG into operations, developing climate-smart initiatives, connecting medical caregivers with their community and creating board diversity. Real-world examples help clarify strategies and illustrate how healthcare organizations are successfully addressing the challenges posed by the three components of the ESG framework.
Visit the HAP Online Bookstore or call (800) 888-4741 to order. And now through Sept. 16, you can order any book and receive a 20% discount off already reduced member prices using the promo code SUMMER24 at checkout.
Correctional Healthcare Conference Coming to Las Vegas
Join the National Commission on Correctional Health Care Oct. 19–23 in Las Vegas for its National Conference on Correctional Health Care. With 100 educational presentations, as well as preconference seminars, a keynote session, annual awards and more, attendees can earn continuing education hours while learning from leaders with practical experience in healthcare delivery in jails, prisons and juvenile detention facilities. Participants can build their network and connect with people who face similar challenges, including clinicians, leaders and administrators from small, medium and large facilities throughout the United States. Learn more and register today—early bird registration ends Sept. 27.
ACHE is a supporting organization of the NCCHC.