Challenges and celebrations are the themes of this month as we are experiencing both.
COVID-19 is our main challenge. COVID-19 was first detected in China in November 2019, and, by 16 March, over 174,00 persons have been diagnosed with the illness (who.int). In the U.S., the CDC reported that 3774 persons have the virus (cdc.gov). There is no cure, vaccine, or medicine specifically designed to prevent or treat the illness. Subsequently, we are challenged to respond. And, we are responding well as we are changing the ways we connect while maintaining our connections. We are learning how to interact and maintain social distance; we are honing our on-line skills and meeting virtually. This is our new normal.
I have received, and I am sure many of you have received, messages such as these in your email recently:
The university administration is closely monitoring news about the coronavirus (COVID-19). If you teach a class with over 100 students, please deliver course material on-line only. If you teach classes with fewer than 100 students, please plan an on-line alternative should campus activities become restricted.
After much discussion and consideration, we have decided to cancel our upcoming meetings . . .
It is to their and our credit that there was no hesitation, or a response made with a “wait and see” approach. Rather, we jumped in and made decisions that are responsible, accountable, and demonstrate the importance of our prioritizing the health, safety, and well-being of our communities. And, crises as those presented to us by COVID-19 also create opportunity. For example, AUPHA with Jaime Stephens, Jason Walker, and new President and CEO Dan Gentry are currently working to deliver the Graduate Program and Practitioner Workshop virtually. We are fortunate to have them on our AUPHA staff as they have responded quickly with confidence and authority to develop other ways for us to connect with one another.
We are also fortunate to have AUPHA members of the Emergency Preparedness Faculty Forum. This Forum focuses on ways to improve students’ skills to plan and respond to emergencies and unexpected change. Take a moment to peruse their discussions and consider joining the forum. It is a timely subject area and worthy of attention. Consider submitting an article to the Journal of Health Administration Education on your health administration programs’ experience with emergency preparedness teaching and responses to the challenges presented by COVID-19.
And while we have unsettled times with COVID-19, we also have events to celebrate! Specifically, I am very pleased to welcome Dan Gentry as the next President and CEO of AUPHA. Dan possesses the depth and breadth of knowledge and experience in our field. He has demonstrated that he has served well with key partners of AUPHA, and his enthusiasm and passion for AUPHA is unparalleled. Dan’s appointment reflects the our members’ dedication to find an outstanding leader who shares our collective vision and approach to be recognized as the global leader in advancing higher education and scholarship in healthcare management and health policy. We are in good hands.
If you are looking for a way to acknowledge our gratitude for being in good hands, consider an act that would add great value to future healthcare leaders. Please consider contributing to The Glandon Family Scholarship for the Advancement of Healthcare Management Education. This scholarship is for future educational leaders and will provide them recognition and financial support at an early stage of their career. The first Glandon Family Scholarship will be awarded to a faculty member from a graduate program at the AUPHA Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, 2020. If you are so inclined, please click on this link to make a donation.
If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I look forward to seeing you virtually at the Graduate Program and Practitioner Workshop.
Best,
Leigh