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By Tracy J Farnsworth, EdD, MHSA, MBA, FACHE posted 09-22-2020 10:32

  

A Compelling Vision

Our newly restated vision for AUPHA is  “To be recognized as the global leader in advancing higher education and scholarship in healthcare management and health policy.”  This simple statement inspires me; it urges me to look up, to stand a little taller, and to strive more earnestly to do better, and to be better, in all my professional endeavors. Our new vision statement is not only compelling, it is practical and reasonable—for there is no reason why AUPHA should not be widely recognized and appreciated as the global leader in our professional and academic space.

As I have written previously, our association is really nothing more nor less than the collective words, actions, and leadership of our people. While individually we can do great good—collectively we can accomplish so much more.

As we go forward both individually and collectively, I urge each of us to step away from our comfortable plateaus, and to take the next step to becoming a more well-rounded, productive, and effective academic professional. For some this might include reaching out to a colleague who is struggling, volunteering to serve in new and different ways, or teaching a course—or writing a paper that causes you to really stretch and grow. By consistently doing these and other small and simple things, AUPHA will increasingly become that beacon—that light on the hill that motivates, inspires, and lifts ourselves and those around us.

Why I belong to AUPHA

During my June Annual Business Meeting address, I called attention to the life and work of Dr. Clayton Christianson who wrote a little gem titled: “Why I Belong, and Why I Believe.”  In reflecting on this writing, it occurred to me that I believe in and belong to  AUPHA because it is my academic and professional home. And, like any good home, AUPHA is a place I come to be nourished, fed, and taught—to be challenged, corrected, and encouraged—and to be more fully and properly supported, motivated, and inspired.

Helping each other Survive and  Thrive

One of our purposes as members of the academy is to prepare young people to survive and thrive in our increasingly tumultuous workplace. We also aim to help them, and each other, become more self-reliant, happy and productive citizens. We often speak of self-reliance in regards to financial or temporal needs. But one of the most important parts of this concept is emotional self-reliance—or self-care, which is vital to maintaining good mental health.

September is national suicide prevention month. Now and always we must practice self-care and reach out to colleagues and friends who need our help. COVID fatigue and operating within what Robin Hogarth calls (this current) “wicked learning and decision making environment[i]” have led to increased levels of uncertainty, anxiety, and depression among many people.

Mental health experts remind us that  self-care begins with being conscious of your own needs. Recognizing, understanding, and acknowledging the emotions you feel is important in discovering what your needs are. I highly endorse these simple practices that can fulfill some of your mental and emotional needs:

  • Maintain a healthy diet, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly.
  • Develop relationships of trust with people you can talk to, and with whom you can share your deepest concerns and joys.
  • Seek entertainment, hobbies, and activities that bring you joy and a sense of accomplishment.
  • Keep a journal to help you express your feelings and organize your thoughts.
  • Spend more time outdoors. Breathe deeply and learn to look up.
  • Set healthy boundaries and say no when your plate is truly full.
  • Practice gratitude. Be grateful for who you are, for what you have, and for the countless opportunities that are yours.
  • Change negative thoughts and negative self-talk to something positive.
  • Lessen the time you spend on social media, or avoid it altogether.
  • Quickly forgive yourself and others. Holding on to grudges or past mistakes adds needless burdens.

Looking back, our 2019 Annual Meeting theme was: Resiliency and Relevance) in a Time of Change. Looking forward, our 2020 Theme was: Improve your (2020) Vision; Elevate your Performance. I again invite both current and prospective members to more fully embrace  AUPHA as your professional and academic home. Let us help you in your continuing quest to be a resilient, visionary, and high performing professional; and please help us more fully realize our vision “to be recognized as the global leader in advancing higher education and scholarship in healthcare management and health policy.”

 

Tracy Farnsworth, EdD, MHA, MBA

 

 

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09-23-2020 12:18

Thank you for this Tracy. 
It is inspiring to me as well to belong to this community focused on improving health for all by developing leaders through our programs. 

I especially appreciate the call out to self-care and Suicide Prevention. So many of our students, faculty, and staff are carrying the burden of their multiple roles and these kinds of reminders are a helpful cause to pause and share.

I appreciate your leadership.  Warm regards - Chris Calkins