Greetings ACHE – SouthEastTexas Chapter Member,
Spring is here, the weather has finally warmed up, and the current Omicron surge is abating! It doesn’t get much better that this! I am writing my first quarterly message from the ACHE Congress in Chicago. It has been wonderful to reconnect with old friends and to make new ones. Yesterday was the first “in-person” Convocation for ACHE Fellows in three years, and our chapter was very well represented with graduates. The theme at Congress this year is one of gratitude. We are so grateful for our front line health care workers and the resiliency they have shown during difficult times. The pandemic has truly been a challenge to everyone, from the front line to the executive suite, and there is so much that we should be proud of. This pride will be reflected and acknowledged at our first Annual Awards Banquet, where we will honor our Chapter leaders, sponsors, and volunteers who have stepped up to help us deal with all of this disruptive change. As an added bonus, our restricted ability to meet in person for networking and educational events makes this opportunity to get together in person to celebrate all the sweeter.
The virtual world provided us with opportunities to be innovative which enabled us to keep our members educated and connected with one another during the waves of the pandemic. Now we need to work together in 2022 to find the right balance between virtual and face-to-face events that makes the most sense for our membership. We also heard today at Congress about not forgetting to take care of ourselves after this long, intense season, and our need to rejuvenate, refuel, and find a better work-life balance for our teams and ourselves. As we head into the first quarter of 2022 as a Chapter, we will work together to strike that balance so that we can be prepared for whatever comes next! Here is some of the work that has been accomplished by our Chapter Committees in 2021, staffed by over 120 volunteers:
- 48 Events
- 7,178 Education Hours
- Two BOG Exam Review Courses for 115 People
- 2,905 Networking Hours
- 727 Volunteering Hours
- Raised $4,728 for Charity
In 2022, we plan to expand on our successes of 2021. So, if you are up to the task and want to help by joining a committee, please let us know. We are always looking for those who want to help by providing innovative ideas and ways to improve our Chapter.
Upcoming Major Event Dates:
- Thursday, May 12, 2022 – 2nd Quarter Breakfast Meeting @ The Health Museum & via Zoom
- Thursday, August 25, 2022 – 3rd Quarter Breakfast Meeting @ The InterContinental Houston – Medical Center & via Zoom
- November 3 & 4, 2022 – Annual Conference on Healthcare Leadership @ The InterContinental Houston – Medical Center
- Thursday, December 1, 2022 – 4th Quarter Breakfast Meeting @ The InterContinental Houston – Medical Center & via Zoom
In closing, on behalf of our Chapter Board, I would like to thank all of you for your dedication, service, and leadership, and for all that you do for your employees, patients, communities and country. You all are truly Healthcare Heroes. Hope to see you both in person and virtually at a variety of activities in 2022!
Sandy Murdock