ETHEA - 2024 Q1 Newsletter 
A Message From Your President
According to two recent polls, trust in the U.S. health system is at an all-time low (Keckley, 2024). Sixty-six percent of adults said they have little or no confidence in the system in 2023. Most of the people polled believe the system values profit over patient care. According to the same study, only 20% trust healthcare leaders “a great deal” or “a lot”.
The ramifications are many. Erosion in trust affects the morale of healthcare workers and compromises outcomes. Studies have shown a connection between the patient’s trust in their provider and how well the patient adheres to directives given for their care.
For medical groups, hospitals, post-acute providers and their support services, erosion of trust in the health system endangers the morale of its workforce and compromises patient outcomes. In fact, studies show a direct correlation between a patient’s confidence in a trusted provider and adherence to evidence-based directives. It also results in higher healthcare costs and delays in treatment.
So what do we do?
- Mitigate misinformation.
- Improve transparency and data sharing.
- Develop/maintain relationships with media influencers to ensure fair coverage.
- Formal education in health literacy in secondary and higher education.
According to Keckley, “Trust is built through the cumulative good work performed by institutions known for integrity, fairness, and purpose. It is destroyed by a single act” (p.35).
Keckley, P. H. (2024, January/February). Health system public opinion. Healthcare Executive, 39 (1), p. 34-35.
Keep Your ACHE Member Benefits for 2024
If you haven’t done so already, you still have time to renew your ACHE membership so you can continue to receive exclusive member benefits while staying connected with your healthcare leader peers across the country.
As a member of ACHE, you are part of a community of more than 48,000 healthcare leaders who make a difference in the field by advancing healthcare leadership excellence, and we’re proud to serve as your professional home.
To ensure uninterrupted access to programs, products and services that will support your care for the patients and communities you serve, you can select from online auto-renewal or pay your dues in three easy installments. To enroll in the installment payment program when you renew, visit My ACHE and select “My Memberships.”
You can also print a dues statement or receipt for reimbursement and update your profile so we can better personalize our communities. For questions about your dues, contact the Customer Service Center at [email protected] or (312) 424-9400.
Student Membership
Do you know a student pursuing healthcare leadership?
To be eligible for Student Associate status, you must:
- Be enrolled in a healthcare management program where the program or college holds at least a regional accreditation.
- Expect to graduate more than 60 days from the date of application.
Student membership is $75 per year, which is prorated according to the time of year one joins. One can choose to pay the fee in three monthly installments.
Note: Student associate status is limited to five years. Student Associate tenure does not count toward the tenure requirement to become a Fellow of ACHE (FACHE).
Learn About the FACHE® Process
If you’ve considered earning your FACHE credential but still have questions, join us March 14 for a complimentary FACHE Overview Webinar. During this live-streamed webinar, participants will get a complete overview of the process, including eligibility requirements, materials needed for the application process and how to prepare for the Board of Governors Exam. Participants can also ask questions during the presentation.
This session will help you decide if now is the right time to pursue the FACHE credential. Although the webinar is free, registration is required. https://www.ache.org/learning-center/education-and-events/events/single-session-events/aisweb0624
A Message From Your Regent
It seems that we’re inundated with the idea of “joy” in our lives: joy in our relationships, joy in our spiritual lives and joy in our work. We talk frequently about this concept in my hospital, but perhaps not consistently enough. Whenever we bring this up, all kinds of related topics come to mind for me: staying connected to “why” we do the work we do, work-life balance/blend, working to prevent burnout among our Associates and Medical Staff, effective communications with our teams, etc. While we’re well-intentioned, I believe there’s still work to be done on these fronts in healthcare.
I want to take two of these and expand on them. The first is conveying ‘why’ we do the work we do. I contend that this argument is more easily made in healthcare than any other industry of which I can easily think. At its most basic, what knits us together in healthcare is the idea that we’re a part of a team helping other people heal. I simply can’t think of anything with a better value proposition for earning a living. Consensus on this foundation is critical to finding joy in what we do. The fact is, it’s a tough time to work in American healthcare leadership and one need not look too far to see challenges. However, the opportunities for improvement and using technology to adapt have never been greater, and I’m optimistic about our future as an industry.
Another related topic that I’ve read about recently that I believe is directly connected to this joy is our responsibility as leaders to communicate transparently, and not ignore the tough realities that we may be facing. While I believe that our role as leaders is to set a direction and convey optimism, we must also acknowledge the realities that we may face. We need to call out problems so that we can ‘get on with’ the hard work of getting them corrected. We need to convey when our teams aren’t meeting expectations so that we can improve our performance, ultimately for the good of our patients. I submit that this is a balance to be struck, and one of which all leaders must be mindful.
As we’re early in 2024, my suggestion for all of us is to continue to seek out joy in what we do, stay connected to our ‘why,’ and communicate transparently. I’m looking forward to a great year, and I hope you are as well!
Tim
Timothy A. Slocum, FACHE
Regent for Tennessee
Upcoming Events
Event Updates
The first event of the year is under our belt! We have moved to a different venue this year, to Bistro by the Tracks at 5448 Homberg Dr. in Knoxville. Our in-person panel discussion on February 22nd was attended by 45 people.
Knoxville:
- April 16 - Meeting the Needs of Today's Healthcare Consumer
- June 18
- August
- October
Chattanooga:
- TBD
Tri-Cities:
- April 30th – Managing for Moral: Effective Management Techniques to Retain Your Staff
Networking Events:
- May
- December