Newsletter Fall 2021

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Summer 2021

Dear Oklahoma ACHE Members,

I hope each of you has enjoyed your summer. Hopefully, you were able to find time for a summer vacation relaxing with your family and, or friends.

Tulsa Program Council

As we enter the Fall season, looking forward to cooler weather, I am looking forward to the re-launch of the Tulsa Program Council. You may recall we initiated the Tulsa/Eastern Oklahoma Program Council (TPC) in the Fall, 2019 to establish networking activities and education events for ACHE members in Eastern, OK, in support of our Sooner Healthcare Executives chapter.

The TPC started off strong under Brant Gamble’s leadership, hosting a well-attended networking event in Tulsa. Plans were underway for late Winter/early Spring activities when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived. Unfortunately, due to everyone’s focus shifting to pandemic response, as well as necessary social distancing requirements, the TPC became dormant for 2020 and the first six months of 2021.

We have recently re-constituted the TPC with 18 members, four of which are returning, plus 14 new members. I am very excited about this group of volunteers and what can be accomplished on behalf of ACHE members in Eastern OK. The first meeting of 2021 will be held on August 26. I look forward to reporting their efforts and successes related to networking and education. If you wish to volunteer with the TPC or even the statewide Sooner Healthcare Executives chapter, please contact me.

Regent Awards

I want to continue encouraging you to nominate ACHE members in Oklahoma for a Regent award. I would like to present an award to an early careerist and a senior-level careerist. The awards will be issued in October at the Chapter’s annual meeting. The suggested criteria for the awards are:

Early Career Healthcare Executive Award
  • A member of the American College of Healthcare Executives in the state of Oklahoma. (required)
  • Demonstration of leadership ability.
  • Demonstration of innovative and creative management.
  • Executive capability in developing his or her organization and promoting its growth and stature in the community.
  • Participation in local, state, or provincial hospital and health association activities
  • Participation in civic/community activities and projects.
  • Demonstration of participation in ACHE activities and interest in assisting ACHE in achieving its objectives.

Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Award
  • A member of the American College of Healthcare Executives in the state of Oklahoma. (required)
  • A CEO, COO, or other senior-level executive title within the organization.
  • Demonstration of leadership ability.
  • Demonstration of innovative and creative management.
  • Executive capability in developing his or her organization and promoting its growth and stature in the community.
  • Contributions to the development of others in the healthcare profession.
  • Demonstration of leadership in local, state, or provincial hospital and health association activities.
  • Participation in civic/community activities and projects.
  • Demonstration of participation in ACHE activities and interest in assisting ACHE in achieving its objectives.

Nominated individuals do not have to meet all the criteria. The only required criteria is the nominee(s) are ACHE members living and working in the state of Oklahoma.

Students/Higher Education Network

I am not sure if you were aware, but Oklahoma has two graduate programs in the state that participate in ACHE’s Higher Education Network. The University of Oklahoma and Northeastern State University both have accredited graduate programs in healthcare management/administration. I will be visiting with these students, discussing the value of ACHE membership and career opportunities.

I know there are several other universities in the state that also have healthcare management/administration graduate and undergraduate programs. If you are attending one of those programs that are not formally participating in ACHE’s Higher Education Network, please contact me. I would be happy to talk with the program director about joining the HEN. I am also willing and available to visit with interested student groups who want to learn more about ACHE membership.

Mentoring/Internships

On the subject of students, I am aware that there are students interested in performing internships with healthcare organizations within our state. I’m also aware of early careerists looking for senior careerist mentors. If you are an executive at an organization and willing to entertain having an intern in your organization, would you please contact me?

If you are a senior careerist and would like to partner with an early careerist as a mentor, please contact me as well. I am working to bring together resources to help students and early careerists gain valuable experience and insight as they launch their careers. Many of you have projects you could use some help with and experience you can convey to these students and early career members.

Thank you to each and every one of you for your dedication to our industry and to our College. Your dedicated leadership makes a difference within your organizations, but also to our communities. If I can be a resource to you for any reason, whether ACHE-related or not, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours in Service,

Chris

 Christopher Whybrew, FACHE
Regent (Interim) for Oklahoma
C: 918-859-5334
chriswhybrew@gmail.com