A Message from Your Regent – Spring 2025

As I was reading the morning healthcare news in bed on my iPad, both the current state of our industry and the rhythmic tapping of the rain on my window made me want to crawl right back under the covers! Just as I began to think that wasn’t such a bad idea, I remembered there were a few extra special reasons to get out of bed and head out in the Spring rain.

Happy Nurses Week!
To all nurses – past, present, and future – who dedicate themselves to providing hope, healing, and a voice to those in their care, we are forever grateful for you! Thank you for answering the call, leading the way, and inspiring all of us each day. I am personally grateful to three incredible nurse leaders who played indelible roles in my leadership development throughout my career: Chief Nursing Officers Traci Duncan, Darlene Cunha, and Lisa Salameh. Their tenacity, authenticity, and brilliance were things they shared generously, allowing me to learn from and grow with them. Through my work with ACHE of Massachusetts, it has been a privilege to collaborate with nurse leaders Maureen Banks, Michelle Davis, Puneet Freibott, Kim Lumia, Christine Schuster, and Seanna Zimmerman. From the bedside to the boardroom, these nursing champions continue to shape policy, care delivery and clinical integration for the better. Every. Single. Day. Cheers to you during your special week!

Sowing Seeds for Success
April (and May!) showers bring May flowers! This Spring is full of opportunities to position your teams, your Chapter and yourself for success now and in the future. Here are a few seeds for you to consider sowing this season.

2025 ACHE Chapter Member Needs Survey…This is a wonderful way to help shape the future programming and experiences offered through our local ACHE of Massachusetts Chapter. By completing the online survey, you can share how we are doing as a Chapter, as well as what we can do to enhance your member experience. The survey, sent via email on May 5, is three of my favorite things:

1. Quick – 10 minutes tops!
2. Easy – multiple choice with the option to provide additional, free text detail if you choose.
3. Impactful –your suggestions will shape our future offerings as a local Chapter, as well as at the national level.

Please check your inboxes for an email from ACHE Director of Research Hazel Oreluk (survey@ACHE.org), or feel free to click this Survey link. If you did not receive a survey, please check your spam folder, as well as visit your ACHE profile to ensure your contact information and email address are up to date. Your participation ensures the continuous improvement of your member experience. The survey completion deadline is Friday, May 23, and we thank you for engaging!

2026 ACHE Congress on Healthcare Leadership… Mark your calendars for this not-to-be-missed event returning to Houston, Texas, on March 2-5, 2026. If you only attend one major event in 2026, you will want it to be this one! Click here for details.

The Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapters will once again host a joint mixer during Congress (we are still getting rave reviews about it, and we are working to ensure that we don’t sell out again next year)! More details will be shared soon so you can mark your calendar and plan for a fabulous night of cocktails and conversation under the Texas stars!

2025 Boston Cluster slated for July 14-16…The Cluster provides a fantastic educational opportunity and up to 24 ACHE In-Person Credits for your fellowship or fellow renewal, all without having to leave New England! This year’s theme is “Stay at the Forefront of Healthcare’s Evolution.” Click here to learn more.

Calling All Future Fellows – Exam Fee Waiver…As we learned during the 2025 ACHE Congress, there is No Better Time than right now to create your future, and ACHE is here to help you do just that while saving a little money, too! Submit a Fellow application between now and June 30, 2025, to receive a one-time waiver of the Board of Governors Exam fee, a $225 value. To learn more about becoming a Fellow, as well as completing your application, visit https://www.ache.org/fache.

Questions about the exam? Want a little extra support to get ready for it? Your ACHE of Massachusetts team and I are here for it…and YOU! Just reach out to be connected with a variety of resources and partners to help you achieve your board certification.

2026 ACHE Leadership Slate Vacancies…Calling all candidates! Interested in deepening your service with ACHE? The 2025–2026 Nominating Committee is looking for experienced leaders to serve in ACHE’s top leadership ranks for terms beginning in 2026. Open positions for Fellows within our District on the slate include:

– Nominating Committee member, District 1 (two-year term ending in 2028)
District 1: Canada, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
– Four (4) Governors (three-year terms ending in 2029)
– Chair-Elect

Candidates for the Nominating Committee must submit a letter of self-nomination and a copy of their resume. Due to the importance and nature of work conducted by the Nominating Committee, candidates should demonstrate effective and successful experience as a healthcare leader and an ACHE volunteer.

Candidates for Chair-Elect and Governor must submit an application to serve, a copy of their resume and up to ten (10) letters of support. More details are included in the Candidate Guidelines, including guidance from the Board of Governors to the Nominating Committee regarding the personal competencies of Chair-Elect and Governor candidates and the composition of the Board of Governors.

All self-nominations (Nominating Committee Member) or applications to serve (Governor or Chair-Elect) should be addressed to Nominating Committee Chair, Delvecchio S. Finley, FACHE, and submitted to Kim Rock at krock@ache.org. All must be received by Monday, July 28

ACHE Learning Experiences…Be it in-person, virtual or on demand, the ACHE Learning Center has a learning medium to support your growth and development. The Learning Center includes programs, classes, and webinars, as well as access to the latest in research and customized learning modules for your health care organization.

ACHE Career Resource Center…What to build or improve your brand? Find yourself as a new member of the Green Ring Club on LinkedIn (if you know, you know)? Want help advancing your career? All of the above? No matter the season, the ACHE Career Resource Center is an invaluable part of your membership, so be sure to check it out!

Reinvigorated ACHE of Massachusetts Website…It is fantastic, easier to navigate and represents the Chapter beautiful! A huge round of applause for Massachusetts Chapter Administrator Tammy Ballard for the brilliant work bringing it to life. Visit our website today to see the incredible educational and networking opportunities you can take part in.

May this help make these rainy days of spring feel much more productive. As we await the return of spring sunshine in New England, I leave you with this little tidbit to share on rainy days like today.

Fun Fact: “When it rains, it pours” ~ this well-known saying was coined in 1914 by the clever marketing team at The Morton Salt Company. The Morton Salt Girl and the tagline “When it rains it pours” slogan referred to the addition of an anti-caking agent that prevented Morton salt from clumping in humid weather that accompanied the rain, a problem for cooks at the time.

With warmth,
Justine