CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
April - June 2021
Hello ACHE of South Florida members, supporters, and friends.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about the accomplishments of our members and our chapter throughout the second quarter of this year. Despite continuing to operate in a mostly virtual business environment, we strived to provide events and activities that kept us all connected. Through educational programming, networking, new member orientation, the annual Healthcare Leader Development Student Case Competition, and the chapter’s first Fellow Advancement & BOG Exam Informational Session, we’ve seen participation collectively reach several hundred over the last three months. We are grateful for your support and involvement. A lot of time, dedication, and heart goes into organizing events, and it makes volunteering for this organization fulfilling when engagement is high.
 
I extend a warm welcome to all of you that have recently joined ACHE and our chapter or renewed your membership. Please reach out, introduce yourself, attend events, volunteer on a committee, and offer suggestions and feedback. Help us as we continue on a mission-driven and member-focused course.
 
With the deepest gratitude and respect, I wish to acknowledge everyone that continues to help us through the pandemic, including healthcare workers, first responders, educators, and so many others. Thank you to our sponsors and board members who volunteer their time to fulfill their obligations to our members.
For the latest news, including upcoming events, member and sponsor spotlights and much more, please bookmark our chapter's website and follow us on LinkedIn!

Sincerely,


Kenneth C. Wong, FACHE
About ACHE of South Florida
ACHE of South Florida, known as the South Florida Healthcare Executive Forum (SFHEF) until 2020, is the local chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Its origins date back to 1972 and serves over one thousand healthcare executives, students, and supporters spanning seven counties throughout southeast Florida, from Monroe to the Treasure Coast.

The mission of ACHE and ACHE of South Florida (ACHE-SFL) is to advance our members and healthcare leadership excellence.
2021 Virtual Healthcare Leader Development Case Competition
For the first time, the annual Healthcare Leader Development Case Competition was held virtually on April 9 - 10 as a result of the pandemic. I'm happy to report that participation was the highest ever with over 100 attendees over both days!

A lot of work goes into planning and executing this event and I want to express my deepest gratitude to this year's Student Services Committee Chair, Ayana Miller, FACHE, and Chair-Elect, Marla Sanfilippo, FACHE, as well as to the planning committee, which consisted of Oyinkansola "Bukky" Ogunrinde, Adrian Parker, FACHE, and me.

ACHE of South Florida awarded over $4,000 to the winners, with another several hundred dollars donated to ACHE's Fund for Healthcare Leadership on behalf of the judges, Dr. David Mishkin, Mr. William Manzie and Dr. Michelle Thompson, and mentors that participated this year. We are so grateful for you sharing your experience with our future healthcare leaders.

I applaud ALL of the teams that participated, as well as their Program Directors! Thank you and CONGRATULATIONS to this year's winners!
If you would like to watch the recorded version of the case competition or the awards ceremony, please click on the image to the right.

This year's awards ceremony included two great informational sessions;
  • Making the Most of Your Student Membership via the ACHE Career Resource Center.
  • Personal Branding: Leveraging LinkedIn for Success.
Thank you so much to the following individuals for their contributions to the success of this event;
  • Gina LaMantia from ACHE for presenting "Making the Most of Your Student Membership via the ACHE Career Resource Center."
  • Rudy Molinet, FACHE, and Dan Cornely for presenting "Personal Branding: Leveraging LinkedIn for Success."
  • Adrian Parker, FACHE, for creating the first-ever video testimonials collage featuring past student case competition and scholarship winners. Watch it HERE.
  • Grant McGaugh and 5 STAR BDM for editing the case competition and awards ceremony videos.
In early May, the chapter hosted its first "New Member Orientation & Networking" event.

Thank you to all those that attended and helped to organize, including membership chair-elect Zunner Rios, CPA, FACHE, and president-elect Oyinkansola "Bukky" Ogunrinde!

I'd like to extend a warm welcome to the more than 70 new members that joined ACHE and our chapter in the second quarter of 2021.

Stay tuned for the next one!
Educational Programs
On May 27th, the chapter's Education Committee offered members the second virtual Face-to-Face program for 2021.

Thanks to Attila Hertelendy, PhD, and Charles Felix, CPA, for organizing this event. I also want to thank our panelists for their time, support, and informative discussion.

If you would like to volunteer on this committee, serve on a panel, or have suggestions for an upcoming topic, please send an email to Info@ACHEofSouthFlorida.org.
Please see below for upcoming educational programs offered by ACHE.
CONGRATULATIONS, new Fellows!

ACHE of South Florida celebrates with these individuals who earned board certification in healthcare management in the second quarter of 2021!

Earning the FACHE credential signifies meeting eligibility requirements over several years, demonstrating competency in all areas of healthcare management.

Thank you for your commitment to integrity, lifelong learning, leadership, diversity and inclusion.

KEVIN CORCORAN, FACHE

CONGRATULATIONS on becoming a Life Fellow, which signifies 25 years or more of combined membership.

C. KENNON HETLAGE, LFACHE
To learn more about becoming a FACHE and the updated requirements, visit https://www.ache.org/fache.

If you want to learn more about board certification in healthcare management and missed the chapter's first Fellow Advancement and BOG Exam Informational Session on June 30th, click on the dates below to register for either of the following FREE webinars offered by ACHE;


Session Objectives
· Learn about the eligibility requirements and how to know which ones you’ve met.
· Understand the entire application process and what materials you need.
· Decide if now is the right time for you to pursue the FACHE credential.
· Set your expectations for the Board of Governors Exam, from knowing what’s covered to preparing to do your best.
Why Become/Remain a Member of ACHE?
Join 48,000+ healthcare leaders from across the country and around the world, dedicated to improving health for their patients and their communities.
Learn more about membership HERE.
Share the benefits of membership with your colleagues!
Click on the image below to learn more.
Recent Grads Can Transfer to Full Membership for Free
Now through Aug. 30, Student Associates can transfer to full membership free of charge and experience all the benefits of being a Member. Full membership means automatically belonging to ACHE’s Early Careerist Network, being able to begin accruing Member tenure toward the one-year requirement to become a Fellow and participating in ACHE’s Leader-to-Leader Rewards Program. Recent graduates can jumpstart their career today by visiting My ACHE to transfer to Member status. Visit ache.org/Students for more information about transferring. 
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS & TESTIMONIALS
Get Involved with ACHE of South Florida
Would you like to become more involved with your local chapter of ACHE?
Are you interested in becoming a FACHE and need volunteer hours?
Would you like to build leadership experience?
Do you have a passion for helping our healthcare community?
ACHE of South Florida's committees include educational programming, membership, networking, sponsorship and student services.
Volunteer with ACHE of South Florida by sending an email to Info@ACHEofSouthFlorida.org and indicating your committee of interest.
Don't miss these upcoming virtual face-to-face educational programs.
July 14–Aug. 11 
 
Aug. 10–19 

Aug. 24–Sept. 30 

Aug. 25–Sept. 22 

Aug. 31–Sept. 23 

Visit ACHE's website for additional virtual educational courses that offer Face-to-Face credits and Qualified Education Credits.
Please visit our chapter's EVENTS page to view and register for upcoming events.

Spring 2021

I am excited to share how our two chapters are continuing to elevate the college’s worth to members. We continue to be shown in the Healthcare Executive Magazine with our state-wide Board of Governors preparatory course for Fellow advancement and by having national speakers from Harvard and other academic institutions be part of our education sessions that reside outside the state of Florida. Overall, as Regent, I am very proud of the caliber of the curriculum we are providing our members during a time of WebEx forums.

To read the rest of my current message, click HERE!

Ashley R. Vertuno, FACHE
Regent for Florida - Eastern
Chief Executive Officer
JFK Medical Center North Campus
We are truly grateful for the financial support of our sponsors!