Many ACHE of Massachusetts' members attended the 2016 ACHE National Congress in Chicago last week. I am very pleased to share the news that ACHE of Massachusetts has earned an ACHE Chapter award for performance. The Chapter was recognized along with others as a part of Congress events. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the current board members and chapter volunteers, as well as the scores of healthcare leaders who have contributed through their volunteer efforts over many years. That commitment enables Massachusetts healthcare leaders to benefit from all that the College has to offer.

My message in this newsletter is to our most senior leaders in healthcare. Your contributions to the Chapter are unique in that you share your experience, facilitate support and create legacy that inspires others. That Massachusetts Chapter is grateful for the significant support from CEO's and other C-suite leaders who have populated our highly successful Breakfast with Champions series. Your encouragement of early and mid-careerist to have a career plan that involves ACHE and achievement of the FACHE credential is essential to our strength as a leadership organization. To thank these leaders for their support ACHE of Massachusetts will plan a special event later this year.

This newsletter is full of information as is our website where you can view progress on our strategic plan. In February the board held an mid-strategic planning cycle retreat with focus on 4 specific topics:

1. Board succession and on boarding
2. Engaging students and the expanding Higher Education Network
3. Increasing the effectiveness of the committee structure and
4. Providing value to members

We benefited from the expertise of Todd Linden, President and CEO of Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Todd provides consulting through the Health Forum for organizations and professional association governing boards. He ably assisted us in working through important emerging issues facilitating "generative thinking" of the board, a best practice that encourages the right inquiry as we evaluate our progress.

It's been a very active year. We look forward to seeing many of you at our Spring events. Please do not hesitate to reach out to myself or any board members should you have feedback or questions. Leadership does matter!

Best regards,
Karen

Karen O. Moore RN, MS, FACHE
President, ACHE of Massachusetts

Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Nursing Officer
Lawrence General Hospital, Lawrence, MA

We will send you in advance of the meeting the following materials to be reviewed.

Congratulations to our newest Fellows.

Maximize your professional potential by earning the premier credential in healthcare management. When you become board certified in healthcare management as an ACHE Fellow (FACHE), you'll have the knowledge, skills and confidence to succeed. 

Board of Governors Exam Fee Waiver Campaign through May 31st.

The Membership & Advancement Committee has been actively planning a variety of ways to further support our members and opportunities for them to be engaged with chapter activities.

Career Services 
Ariannah Mirick has been appointed as Vice Chair for Career Services. Ariannah is a new member and is Managing Associate with the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller in Boston. In this new volunteer role for our Committee, Ariannah will be the point person for organizing, initiating, and facilitating career services related offerings provided by the chapter. Currently we're working on promoting the array of services ACHE offers on our local chapter website and planning for a career development workshop/event later in the year.

Fellow Advancement
We are working on a Fellow Advancement Study Group to assist board-eligible members with their preparation for the ACHE Board of Governors Exam require for advancing to Fellow status. More details will be available soon. If you are a current Fellow and would be willing to offer your experience or advice to those pursuing advancement, please contact Jack Bailey at jack.bailey@baystatehealth.org.

Membership Growth and Advancement
Our chapter has continued to see strong membership growth through 2015 and into 2016 so far. We exceeded our 2015 membership growth goal of 2%, with 197 new members, compared to a target of 177. Already in 2016 we've seen 38 new chapter members join. Additionally 9 chapter members advanced to Fellow in 2015.

Jack Bailey, Membership & Advancement Committee Chair

Cindy Page, Membership & Advancement Committee Co-Chair