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Communication is Powerful

By Kenneth Johnson, PhD, FACHE posted 02-10-2014 11:33

  

The last couple of months have really been cold. Many of you have probably, by now, heard the story of the teenager who sent a text to Dad on a cold morning, “Windows frozen, won’t open.” The Dad wrote back, “Gently pour some lukewarm water over it.” About five minutes later, the teenager wrote back, “Computer really screwed up now.” If one of you started this story, let me know so I can give you the credit. I heard it from a friend.

Standing in front of my classes, I look at the barely-older-than-teenager faces in our undergraduate program and those a little older in our graduate program. Like you’ve observed in your students, I see some whose eyes are alive and whose faces seem to suggest they get what I’m trying to teach. Other faces seem to say, “When is this class going to be over?” I struggle to reach out to them, to wake them up, to help them understand that they are going to succeed only if they want it and are willing to work for it…whatever “it” is. I’m not always able to get through to some of them. It’s hard to communicate or instil desire.

Communication, as we all teach, is powerful. Good communication is vital. I appreciate the work being done by Kristi Donovan and the staff at AUPHA, who have established a great resource in the AUPHA Network. I suppose many of you are like me, we read much of what is written and occasionally contribute. Thanks to those of you who take the time to teach us and get us to think by participating. I have learned from you how to be a better teacher.

Just like our students, you’ll get from AUPHA what you put into it. Even if you don’t have the time to serve on a committee or plan a program, an occasional response to a fellow member’s request would be great. Input to the AUPHA Board on what you’d like to see from us would be appreciated.

The AUPHA Board would very much like to hear from any of you with suggestions or ideas of how we can, as an organization, make your job easier or your program better. Our goal is to focus on the issues that you feel are important. We will continue to look at online education, global health, and inclusion, but you may have other pressing concerns that we need to hear about. The Board will meet in March, in conjunction with the Leaders Conference and ACHE Congress, again via a conference call in May, and then again just prior to the AUPHA annual meeting in June. We’d invite you to contact any of us prior to those meetings so that we can discuss your concerns or to report what you think is going well. It’s okay to communicate what you like.

Finally, here's a quick update. I’m part of another association who is struggling to survive. It has more debt than finances to support it, nor will membership dues cover everything. I want you to know that AUPHA is the opposite of that. We are very healthy, financially. We have funds to cover expenses and reserve funds for emergencies. We have endowed accounts and incoming support that allow us to offer scholarships and fellowships to our students. You help make this happen and we appreciate it. We report this every year at our business meeting, but if you have questions about how we’re doing ask. We are a transparent group.

Thanks for all you do.

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