Final Reflections
As I write my final Chair’s Blog for the AUPHA Exchange, I find myself reflecting on a year filled with challenges, triumphs, and growth. Time has flown—as it often does—and this was my first year since beginning my faculty career in 2010 that I wasn’t in the classroom. Stepping away from teaching allowed me to focus on my roles as department chair and AUPHA board chair. While I appreciated the break, I missed the energy of my students, their curiosity, and even their occasional complaints (well, maybe not all of them). I look forward to returning to the classroom soon—refreshed and reenergized.
It’s vital that we all take time to recharge. The work we do—educating future healthcare leaders and advancing scholarship—is deeply meaningful, but it can also be mentally and emotionally taxing. A friend once told me we have the best job in the world: we explore topics we care about, share our passion with students, and connect with colleagues in inspiring places. If you’re feeling worn out after another academic year, I encourage you to pause, breathe, and invest in yourself. One great way to do that is by joining us at the AUPHA Annual Meeting this June in Columbus, Ohio, where we’ll gather for engaging programming and meaningful connection.
Over the past year, the AUPHA board has been hard at work on strategic planning. Thank you to those who completed our member survey—we had a terrific response and heard from both highly engaged members and those less involved. Your feedback has been invaluable in shaping our direction. Increasing member engagement and raising awareness of healthcare management as a career path will be central pillars of our new strategic plan, which we look forward to sharing with you this summer.
Conclusion: AUPHA’s Impact on My Journey
Serving as chair of the AUPHA board has been an honor and a full-circle moment. My journey with AUPHA began over 20 years ago as a doctoral student at UAB. Since then, the organization has been a constant source of professional growth, mentorship, and community. It has connected me with colleagues who have become collaborators, mentors, and friends. Personally, AUPHA has reminded me why I chose this path—to make a difference in the lives of students and in the future of healthcare.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and excited for what lies ahead. AUPHA is a tremendous organization with dedicated volunteers and a hard-working staff led by Dan Gentry and Jaime Stephens. I want to thank each of the board members for their service and commitment to AUPHA. I also want to recognize and thank the staff members for their incredible work. It has been a true pleasure working alongside you this past year.