Newsletter

June 8, 2020

Leadership Spotlight: A Message From Our CEO Regarding Recent Events

This most recent national and global crisis has deeply shaken us all, as COVID-19 and its economic repercussions remain significant challenges in many areas. As I read through the headlines and witness first-hand the devastation and violence, I particularly recognize the pain our African American colleagues may be experiencing. I’m saddened by the lack of progress we’ve made as a nation and acknowledge that, as leaders, we have much more work to do.

We are all grieving with those who have suffered from an unjust system—as well as the senseless deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and many other Black Americans. The recent protests and demonstrations reveal the deep-seated anger toward systemic racism in our country. We know discrimination extends to many other marginalized groups and inequities still exist throughout our organizations and communities, but ACHE remains committed to standing against racism, racist beliefs, injustice and violence of any kind. Read more from ACHE President and CEO Deborah J. Bowen, FACHE, CAE, regarding recent events. 

Webinar: Operating in the New Normal

As some health systems begin to look beyond responding to COVID-19 toward recovery, others are watching and waiting before resuming full delivery of care. During a free webinar on Wednesday, Dick Flanagan, FACHE, senior vice president, ITWorks, Cerner, will explain the pandemic’s progress in three phases—respond, recover and reimagine. Attendees will also hear stories from the front lines of a large pediatric health system, delivered by Matt MacVey, vice president/CIO, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, D.C., and a regional hospital that battled a surge of COVID-19 cases in a hot zone, delivered by Rossy Balmaceda, RN, director/ Cerner ITWorks client leader, East Jefferson General Hospital, Metairie, La.

Eligible for 1 ACHE Qualified Education credit, this webinar is made possible in part by the support of Cerner, an ACHE Premier Corporate Partner. Recordings of previous webinars and other resources and tools to help guide you through these unprecedented times are available at ache.org/COVID.

ACHE Celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month

During the month of June—Pride Month—we call on healthcare leaders to join us in strengthening their commitment to addressing LGBTQ+ patient care imbalances and human resource practices.

LGBTQ+ Pride Month is celebrated each year during the month of June. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that the LGBTQ+ community has had on history locally, nationally and internationally. June 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of annual LGBTQ+ Pride traditions. To learn more, please visit this page of the Library of Congress.

ACHE is committed to expanding diversity and inclusion among top healthcare executives, and the LGBTQ Forum is powerful evidence of that commitment. For more on ACHE’s stance on the healthcare executive’s role in fostering inclusion of LGBTQ patients and employees, visit ache.org/policy/LGBTQ.

CMS Unveils Enhanced Enforcement for Nursing Homes

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced June 1 enhanced enforcement for nursing homes with violations of long-standing infection control practices.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act provided additional funding to CMS for necessary survey and certification work related to COVID-19:

  • CMS will allocate this funding based on performance-based metrics.
  • States will be required to perform on-site surveys of nursing homes with previous COVID-19 outbreaks and will be required to perform on-site surveys (within three to five days of identification) of any nursing home with new COVID-19 suspected and confirmed cases.
  • CMS will provide technical assistance through Quality Improvement Organizations.

FACHE® Recertification Deadline Extended

The recertification deadline for ACHE Fellows who need to recertify this year has been extended until March 31, 2021. Fellows whose credential is set to expire in 2020 must have met all of the requirements to recertify, submitted their application and paid the recertification fee by the new deadline. You can stay on track to recertify in three easy steps:

  • Completing continuing education activities or retaking and passing the Board of Governors Exam.
  • Completing four volunteer activities.
  • Paying the recertification fee of $200 when you submit your recertification application.

You can learn more about the recertification process by visiting ache.org/FACHE and selecting Maintain/Recertify My FACHE from the menu. 

New Frontiers Addresses Importance of Succession Planning

Though succession planning is an imperfect process that is sometimes avoided, with proper planning, organizations can achieve desired results. The Summer 2020 issue of Frontiers of Health Services Management brings together the perspectives of current and past CEOs, board members and succession experts who share practical advice to help ensure success. This and past issues of Frontiers are accessible by visiting ache.org/Journals.