What happened to summer? If you’re like me, you’re starting to panic a bit knowing that the new semester is about to start and our courses have to be ready to go. Thanks to all of you who continue to provide feedback and advice via the AUPHA Network. I’ve been paying attention and using some of the information you’ve provided us. I hope all of us will take advantage of this great tool, both on the receiving and the giving end. One of the goals of our new CEO, as we interviewed him, is to make AUPHA better known in the health care industry as THE organization representing the very best of health management education. As we continue to work together, all of us, to share our best ideas for the classroom, we’ll get closer to that goal.
Speaking of our new CEO…thanks to all who participated in the search. That includes the Board and members of AUPHA who helped outline the characteristics of what we wanted in a new CEO, the search committee, Tyler & Company, and the excellent candidates. It was a rigorous process and a tough decision, but we are happy that Jerry Glandon accepted our invitation to serve. In fact, Jerry is quite excited about leading AUPHA. Our organization is already in a good place under Lydia’s leadership, so Jerry has the opportunity, along with the Board and the staff, to take some time as we all contemplate where we go next. You were able to read a short bio of Jerry when we sent out the announcement of his appointment. We will have the opportunity to get to know him better after he starts officially in November.
Along with the search for Jerry, members of the Board have been busy working on renewing an agreement with the David A. Winston Health Policy Fellowship Board. Our partnership with the Winston Fellowship has been a good one for many years. They support AUPHA students with both scholarships and health policy fellowships. In return, AUPHA provides administrative support. We hope to have the new contract signed in the next couple of weeks.
In support of the Winston Fellowship and because of the change in our CEO, the executive committee of the AUPHA Board has reached an agreement with Lydia Middleton to serve as a consultant regarding the Winston Fellowship activities through the spring of 2014. This agreement will allow us to take advantage of Lydia’s experience with the Winston Fellowship and give Jerry time to settle in to his new job. At the same time, Lydia will be orienting our new CEO on all of the activities associated with that group.
I’m excited for the coming year. We have a strong Board and great members who support one another. I hope all of you interested in undergraduate education will join us in October at the undergraduate workshop. This meeting is a unique opportunity for the sub-group of AUPHA to get to know one another a little better and to focus on the issues significant to undergraduate programs. Plans are also underway for the annual Leaders Conference in March. This always takes place in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American College of Healthcare Executives, also in Chicago.
Good luck to all of us as we prepare for the future months. I wish you all a successful school year.