Dear Colleagues,
To say the world has changed entirely since our March newsletter would normally seem an overstatement—except we all know now that it is not. In the COVID era, healthcare has changed, society has changed and certainly the ways in which we organize, manage and lead our organizations has and will continue to change. And they must. As all healthcare leaders navigate their way through the recovery process amidst all the unknowns, innovation, transparency, use of professional networks and lifelong learning—all foundations of our mission at ACHE MA—will be critical to success. Your continued support through membership is as important now as ever for our organization, but for each of you as well.
As the world changes, ACHE MA will need to change as well. We must become more virtual, more diverse and more adaptable. Organizations that do not will live (or not) with the consequences. I’m confident that our leadership at both the membership and board level has what it takes to step up to the challenge. Much of what you read about in this edition—our virtual collaboration with our sister chapters in RI and CT, growing virtual opportunities for needed education credits for advancement in an accessible, affordable way for our membership and other initiatives will be just a few of the efforts we will need to pursue.
Unfortunately, we have been reminded in recent months of the ways in which the world has not changed. Inequality and racial injustice, despite many advances, still plague our nation today. At our June meeting, the board approved several recommendations by our Diversity and Inclusion Committee (in addition to making this a full standing committee under our bylaws) as initial efforts so that ACHE MA can be more of a leading organization in this area. These are small but important steps on a journey we must now move forward on with vigor, persistence and urgency. As is required by our profession and culture, your board remains committed to pursuing the effort in the days, weeks and months ahead.
Sincerely,
John Fogarty, FACHE
President, ACHE of MA
