On behalf of the entire chapter leadership, I want to welcome all national members of the ACHE in the Western NC area to your local organization.   It is a honor for me to serve as President for 2009 and work with our local members to add more value to your affiliation with the ACHE.  For those who did not know,  as of 2008 all ACHE national members who live in our geography are automatically members of the Greater Charlotte Healthcare Executives Group.  It is our role to extend the reach of the organization to provide local programs to aid with continuing education, networking and helping members achieve Fellowship in the ACHE.

First and foremost please join me in thanking our Immediate Past President Jamillah Hasan-Jones, FACHE for the for the work she did in the first half of this year.  Her passion for the healthcare industry and our role to improve the lives of our dedicated employees as well as our patients has inspired me even more.  Also, congratulate her on the birth of  her new baby daughter!

As the leader moving into 2009, I am excited about our plans and the response from those who are willing to help out.  We have put together the tentative educational schedule for 2009 (see events tab)  and we will also have a kickoff event at the NC Research Campus including a tour.  I look forward to meeting many of our members in the coming year.

 I would also like to introduce our 2009 Board which includes:

• Sandi Lane - Cabarrus College of Health Sciences - President Elect
• John Tartt - Carolinas Healthcare - Treasurer
• Stephanie Harrell - Carolinas Healthcare - Secretary
• Steven Burke - Novant Health - Director at Large
• Kathleen Kaney - Carolinas Healthcare Systems - Director at Large

Ex Officio (non Voting) (Student Programs)

• Gwen Swain - Faculty advisor for Pfeiffer
• Student group representative from Pfeiffer TBD 
• Clay Coleman- President of UNCC Student Group
• Sarah Laditka - Faculty Advisor for UNCC Student Group

Our goal this year is to provide you, our members, with many more opportunities to earn Category I ACHE hours.  Our other goals include:

• Establish increased partnership with students at local universities
• To have fun—we should work hard, play hard and learn of each other’s strengths and goals
• Increase the number of Fellows in our Chapter, as well as the number of people who sit for the Board of Governor’s Exam

In closing, again I thank you for this opportunity and I look forward to seeing you all at upcoming events and remember if you have comments/suggestions please feel free to let us know at  info@gcheg.ache.org, we look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Dean F. Cikins

2009 President Greater Charlotte Chapter ACHE