CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
January - March 2021
Hello, ACHE of South Florida members, supporters, and friends.

I am honored and excited to present my first chapter newsletter for 2021! Thank you for your support and involvement. As I reflect on all that we have accomplished virtually over the past year, I look ahead with optimism that we will be able to resume in-person events very soon.

We have certainly endured and sacrificed so much over the past year. I cannot think of a profession that has been impacted more than ours and I hope that your loved ones and you are safe and healthy. As an organization comprised of healthcare HEROES, I wish to express the deepest gratitude to all of you who work tirelessly to keep us, our patients, and our communities healthy.

For those of you who virtually attended ACHE Congress recently, I am sure you found it incredibly inspirational and educational, as over 9,000 attendees from around the country and the world shared their knowledge and stories of dedication to our field.

In the year ahead, our goal is to provide you, our members and supporters, with relevant events and opportunities that will contribute to our professional development and enhance our diverse roles in the healthcare field. I look forward to your support and I encourage you to get involved!

Please reach out to me or any of the chapter's committee chairs to volunteer. Feel free to share your feedback, suggestions, promotions, job changes, and news about your organization by emailing [email protected].
For the latest news, be sure to bookmark our website and follow us on LinkedIn!

Sincerely,


Kenneth C. Wong, FACHE
About ACHE of South Florida
ACHE of South Florida, formerly 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, from Monroe to the Treasure Coast.
ACHE of South Florida Stands United Against Hate and Racism!
ACHE of South Florida Installs 2021 Board Members

On February 24, 2021, the chapter formally welcomed this year's Board of Directors during the Installation Ceremony, Annual Meeting & Networking Event.
Thanks to everyone that attended!

CONGRATULATIONS!
If you missed the event and want to watch it, click the image below.
A special thanks to Grant McGaugh and 5 STAR BDM
for their video editing and creative expertise!
Chapter Hosts First Educational Program of 2021
"Legislative Issues Facing Healthcare Leaders and Potential Responses" was the first educational event held by the chapter on Saturday, Feb. 13th. Thank you to our panelists and the 50+ attendees that participated in this event!

If you need ACHE face-to-face credits, qualified education credits, or simply want to learn more about important healthcare-related topics, please stay tuned for upcoming educational events!

For more face-to-face credits and qualified education credits, you may also access many virtual educational courses that are available from ACHE HERE.
CONGRATULATIONS, new Fellows!

ACHE of South Florida celebrates with these individuals who earned board certification in healthcare management in the first 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 professional commitment to leadership excellence and lifelong change and improvement!

To learn more about becoming a FACHE and the updated requirements, visit https://www.ache.org/fache.
Rudy Molinet, RN, MPH, FACHE

“I decided to pursue my FACHE credential because I think it’s important to be board-certified in our profession. I wanted to be a good role model for my MHA and MBA students as to the importance of the FACHE credential for their future success as healthcare leaders.”
Susan Triano, ClinScD, CCC-SLP, FACHE

"When I went back to school to get my doctorate I really enjoyed the course on healthcare policy and was looking for a way to continue to increase my knowledge beyond healthcare operations to the healthcare industry as a whole. The ACHE has afforded me excellent information and opportunities to continue learning, which I have completely enjoyed. Certification seemed like a logical next step and was a challenge to demonstrate to myself all that I have learned."

"What does it mean to me to be a Fellow with ACHE?"
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.
Member Testimonials
Members On The Move
ACHE of South Florida welcomes the more than 200 new members
that joined since January 1st!
We also celebrate our members' career moves and promotions!
Feel free to share any updates regarding member promotions, transfers, newsworthy accomplishments and events by emailing [email protected].
Member Spotlights
JANUARY 2021
Healthcare Heroes
Award Recipients
Yisell Fernandez
Timothy Curtin
FEBRUARY 2021
Francis Afram-Gyening
CEO
Camillus Concern

MARCH 2021
Karen Alba
VP & GM
JKare

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 emailing [email protected].
Please indicate your committee interest in your email. Volunteers must be members of ACHE and ACHE of South Florida.
Connect With Fellow Members
We are pleased to offer members three new, free online communities for physician executives, Asian healthcare leaders and LGBTQ healthcare leaders. The communities’ platform makes it easier than ever for peers to connect in real time, tackle issues together and ask important career- related questions. Members can participate in discussion threads, share resources and best practices, and crowdsource innovative ideas and solutions.

To join, follow these steps:
1. Log in to my.ache.org.
2. Under “Helpful Links” on the right-hand side, click the last option, “My Communities.”
3. Click the “Add” button to choose the online communities you wish to join. An MD or DO degree is required to join the Physician Executive Community.
4. Watch your inbox for your welcome email and instructions to access your new
community! The email will arrive within 24 hours.

We hope you will join these communities. If you have any questions, please email

To read my most most current message, as well as my previous updates, click HERE!

Ashley R. Vertuno, FACHE
Regent for Florida - Eastern
Chief Executive Officer
JFK Memorial - North Campus
Congratulations, 2020 Regent Award Recipients!
ACHE of South Florida Regent, Ashley Vertuno, FACHE, presented the 2020 Regent Awards at the virtual Annual Installation Ceremony, Chapter Meeting & Networking event held on February 24th.

Congratulations and thank you for your 30+ years of combined service on the Board of Directors! 
- Senior Careerist Award: Charles Felix, CPA, Owner/Publisher, South Florida Hospital News
- Leadership Award: Michelle Marsh, MHSA, President, Forma Advisors
Fund for Healthcare Leadership
Please consider making a contribution to the Fund for Healthcare Leadership in 2021. By contributing to The Fund for Healthcare Leadership, you are directly impacting the healthcare leaders of tomorrow. The Fund for Healthcare Leadership wholly supports the Thomas C. Dolan Executive Diversity Program and provides scholarships to talented individuals who lack the resources to acquire the skills and training needed to effectively lead through today’s challenges and into the future. Learn more about the Fund.

On behalf of our current Board of Directors and members, ACHE of South Florida recently donated $500 to the Healthcare Diversity Fund!
Resourcefulness: A Key Leadership Skill
Resourcefulness in Action
In times of crisis, resourcefulness is even more essential. In November 2019, Great Plains Health experienced a cyberattack that shook the organization at every level. The 116-bed, independent health system was fortunate to have good leadership and expertise in its information systems department, on its medical staff and among the senior leadership team to guide the organization through the incident. Successful handling of this crisis also came from the resourcefulness of its leaders.

Accomplishments Build Careers
If building their careers is a priority and not just wishful thinking, executives can consider starting every year knowing what they want to put on their resumes at the end of the year. When I share this advice with my staff, it is often met with a perplexed look, as those on the receiving end wonder if the CEO just told them they will need to be looking for a new job. The truth is quite the contrary. I offer this coaching advice to my most promising, up-and-coming or seasoned executives.

ACHE National Premier Corporate Partners
We would like to recognize ACHE’s 2021 Premier Corporate Partners:

  • BRG
  • Cerner
  • Change Healthcare
  • Roche Diagnostics

These organizations are clearly demonstrating their commitment in supporting our mission to advance healthcare leadership excellence and fostering innovative solutions to the new challenges facing healthcare leaders in the wake of the pandemic. In 2021, they will be active participants at Congress, support complimentary webinars and providing additional educational content during the year. To learn more and access additional complimentary resources provided by the partners please click here.
Please visit our EVENTS page to view and register for upcoming events.

Join ACHE of South Florida and teams from South Florida's finest academic institutions for this year's Virtual Healthcare Leader Development Case Competition. 

Can Telehealth Succeed?

Registration is required and closes Thursday, April 8th.
Many valuable benefits that we offer to members, including scholarships, financial hardship support and events, are funded by our sponsors and partners and we are EXTREMELY grateful!

If you are interested in supporting ACHE of South Florida, visit the sponsorship section on our website HERE.

In this edition, we wish to recognize our newest GOLD sponsor, DSignage! THANK YOU!
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
DSignage is a boutique system integration company that specializes in smart digital communication solutions. We modernize how companies communicate to their people by integrating digital displays, mobile applications and location intelligence technologies into their facilities.

Our solutions range from digital communication boards to featured-filled mobile applications designed to increase operational efficiencies and user experiences. Every solution is tailored to the needs of each client to make sure their biggest pain points are alleviated.

Start your digital transformation today. Visit www.DSignage.net.

To learn how DSignage is helping to reduce medical errors using their advanced digital solutions, watch their video by clicking below or visiting our page dedicated to Platinum & Gold Sponsors.
CORPORATE SPONSORS
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
MEDIA PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS