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March 10, 2021 - Chelsey Doepner Receives 2020 Regent's Award

March 10, 2021 - Chelsey Doepner Receives 2020 Regent's Award

The American College of Healthcare Executive (ACHE) Regents is pleased to announce that Chelsey Doepner, MBA, has been awarded the 2020 ACHE MN Regent Award for Early Career Healthcare Executive.

This award is given in recognition to a member who has demonstrated strong leadership, innovative and creative management, and contributions towards helping ACHE MN achieve its objectives. 

Nomination endorsements for Chelsey were supported by strong statements, including:

“Under Chelsey’s leadership the ACHE MN’s Annual Meeting has become a first-class conference.”

“We so appreciate Chelsey’s willingness to go above and beyond to ensure the highest quality customer service.”

“From board members to event participants, one word describes Chelsey: ‘trust.’ We have all learned to trust her word and her judgement.”

ACHE MN is honored to provide Chelsey with this recognition, and we thank her for her continued dedication to our work.

Chelsey earned her Master’s degree in business administration (MBA) specialized in Health Care from the University of St. Thomas and currently serves as a leader in health care quality improvement and the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) Manager for UCare.

March 8, 2021 - Message from the ACHE MN President

March 8, 2021 - Message from the ACHE MN President

The Congress of Healthcare Leaders is one of those ‘circle the date’ events. My favorite part of Congress has always been the Convocation of Fellows. Imagine, for a moment, the grand ballroom filled with excitement as the Convocation of the American College of Healthcare Executives gets underway. I can picture the 2019 event: the procession of new Fellows, the Board of Regents, and the Board of Governors, robed in the equivalent of academic regalia. I can still feel the warmth of the bright light from the oversized glass windows, reflecting off the giant chandelier casting a special glow. I picture the hundreds of people gathered to celebrate our individual and collective accomplishments.

The 2019 Convocation for Fellows seems long ago now. In 2020, Congress was cancelled and the preceding Convocation of Fellows. The reality of the pandemic was becoming agonizingly clear. Yet, I still feel the thrill of seeing the Minnesota contingent cross the stage, framed by the bright colored flags of our nation and the College. I never think twice about attending. It’s something I anticipate with enthusiasm, a circled date on the calendar! The glow of inspiration shared with so many of my colleagues hasn’t dimmed.

While the year 2021 brings little certainty, I’ve circled the 2021 Congress date. I and your Board of Directors approach 2021 with enthusiasm. When 2021 fades to 2022, we’ll still be overflowing with excitement. We’ll say that 2021 was the inflection point for the chapter. We’ll tell you how we have built on the foundation of so many volunteer leaders before us. We’ll tell you how we have systematically improved operations and prepared for sustainable expansion in programming. We’ll share with you our commitment to our members and our communities. We’ll share what it means to be part of the preeminent professional society in Minnesota for leaders dedicated to improving health.

The legacy of 2021 will include our stories about how we grew our programs. We will reflect on new achievements despite the uncertainties, extraordinary demands placed on healthcare, and our personal challenges. Indeed, we offer new ways to collaborate and to engage. Our programs supply a space to be heard and to learn. As your professional society we have a multitude of ways to connect.

If time allows, please do consider volunteering for one of our Committees. Think about serving as a mentor for another member—even on a short-time basis. Learn more about becoming a Fellow and the programs that will support your journey. Whether or not you’re a fan of traditional academic convocations, circle the 2021 dates for events which resonate with you.

Learn more about the MN ACHE Chapter by visiting our website at ACHEMN.org and follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ache-mn/. Reach out through any of our social media platforms or feel free to email us at [email protected].

February 15, 2021 - Our Deepest Condolences

February 15, 2021 - Our Deepest Condolences

On behalf of the ACHE MN Board of Directors we express our deepest condolences to the families and staff affected by the recent tragedy at the Allina Health Clinic in Buffalo, Minnesota. 

On, Tuesday, February 9, word of mass causalities at the clinic in Buffalo, Minnesota, came quickly.  Even before the reports in the media, ACHE members texted, called, or emailed each other.  Many of us have personal connections to colleagues and to the Buffalo community. Collective sorrow seeks expression. The need to share that burden hasn’t diminished in the aftermath of the shooting.  We sense that condolences seem inadequate.  We recognize that the trauma and pain may be with those who grieve for some time to come.  Our hearts go out to those affected.

The tragedy brings an awareness of our vulnerability as healthcare professionals.  We are keenly aware that our healthcare colleagues continually face both physical and psychological risks. As healthcare leaders we strive to keep our patients and staff as safe as possible. We feel the burden of working through the pandemic to care for our communities with no end in sight. And, we are so very grateful for the caring dedication of the healthcare workers we see every single day.

Whether we work in a direct care setting or a related healthcare field, we are privileged to serve. Every day we have the opportunity as part of the larger healthcare community of providers to celebrate private joys and miracles.  And we also witness the personal tragedies of our patients and our communities.  We honor the healthcare leaders who use their talents and their voices to make every-day joys a reality and to bring community in times of grief.

We also recognize that resilience can be fragile. At a recent Chapter event, our speaker observed that healthcare leaders share the risks of burn-out which have become so prevalent in healthcare.  In our collective sorrow, please care for yourselves. Do ask for a listening ear when needed.  Make it known to a colleague that you’re in a position to empathize. ACHE MN is the professional society for leaders dedicated to improving health. To fulfill that promise, we care for ourselves and each other.

Resources:

Additional resources from the Minnesota Department of Public Health include learning materials on psychological first aid.  These tools provide an evidence based approach that all of us can use to assist survivors and fellow responders impacted by a disaster or emergency event. https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/ep/behavioral/psychclass.html 

The American College of Healthcare Executives has a podcast on crisis leadership. Rulon Stacey, PhD, FACHE, is managing director of Navigant’s Healthcare Strategy business unit but also has ties to Minnesota.  He reflects on his experience in a high-profile crisis and what he learned about leading honorably. https://soundcloud.com/healthcare-executive/leading-in-times-of-crisis

Kathy Zavaleta, FACHE , MHSA
President, ACHE MN