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Spring 2024

Letter from the President

Dear Members,


For those who attended ACHE 2024 Congress on Healthcare Leadership in Chicago, I hope your experience was enriching and filled with valuable insights, networking opportunities and a taste of the Windy City. I'm thrilled to share that the North Florida chapter received the Award for Chapter Excellence during the event, recognizing our achievements in Education & Networking, Member Satisfaction, and Membership Growth for 2023.  


Our dedication to knowledge sharing, collaboration, and fostering a culture of distinction drives us forward. This was further highlighted during the MacEachern Memorial Lecture and Luncheon, where keynote speaker Mick Ebeling shared his remarkable journey and left a lasting impact. Ebeling, CEO of Not Impossible Labs, was named one of Forbes' Top 50 World’s Greatest Leaders and awarded TIME Best Inventions of the Year three times. He also received the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award.


Ebeling's message resonated deeply as he showcased innovations that were once deemed impossible, including affordable eye-tracking glasses for paralyzed patients and an app connecting the underserved to excess food providers. His commitment to action, exemplified by projects like Project Daniel in South Sudan, serves as a reminder of the transformative power of determination and innovation. 


In healthcare, we often face barriers, but Ebeling challenges us to break through them. His questions, "If not now, then when? If not me, then whom?" urge us to seize opportunities for change and improvement. 


Thank you for your continued efforts in pushing boundaries and striving for new, better, and more efficient solutions. Let's embrace the spirit of innovation as we work toward tomorrow's marvels from today's far-fetched ideas! 


With gratitude,


Alexis T. Kainz, MHA, FACHE

President, ACHE-NFL

Left to Right: Dr. Shyam Paryani, Asjad Javed, Sean Delancey, Alexis Kainz, Wes Marsh, Dr. Lee Revere, Olevia McNally, Dr. Keith Benson 

Image Credit: International Center for Documentary Arts 

Copyright: American College of Healthcare Executives, 2024

Survey says  – Your insight matters!

ACHE members who have been with the association for more than a year, kindly take part in our annual "Chapter Member Needs Survey," which launched May 6. Your feedback influences the programs and services ACHE provides, as well as the awards we receive as a chapter. Please don't forward your personalized invitation to take the survey as it's intended just for you. Thanks in advance for your time and insight!

North Florida's Ajani Dunn elected to serve on ACHE's Board of Governors  

North Florida Chapter's Ajani (AJ) N. Dunn, FACHE, was elected to serve a three-year term on ACHE’s Board of Governors beginning March 23, 2024. Based in Jacksonville, Mr. Dunn is Chief Administrative Officer at Mayo Clinic in Florida.


Board certified in healthcare management as an ACHE Fellow, Mr. Dunn served as the ACHE Regent-at-Large for District 2 from 2019 to 2024 and on various ACHE committees. He was also president of ACHE—North Florida Chapter from 2010 to 2012, in addition to serving as the chair of various chapter committees. 


Mr. Dunn received the Service Award (2009), the Distinguished Service Award (2013) and the Exemplary Service Award (2018) through ACHE’s Recognition Program, as well as an Early Careerist Healthcare Executive Regent Award in 2005 and the Regent Award in 2012 from ACHE. 


Please join us in congratulating Mr. Dunn to the Board of Governors. Here's to continued success and growth of ACHE and its North Florida Chapter!  

Student insights gleaned from 2024 Congress on Healthcare Leadership  

University of North Florida Health Administration Students and Faculty

More than 5,000 members, speakers, volunteers and corporate partners attended ACHE's 2024 Congress on Healthcare Leadership March 25 to 28 in Chicago. We hope you enjoyed the conference! Below are paraphrased takeaways from our student members representing Florida A&M University, University of Florida, University of North Florida and University of West Florida.   

  • Focus on making quality connections through spending time and having meaningful discussions with individuals rather than shaking hands with many people. Creating a real relationship is the only way to truly make something of your networking. 
  • Shape your career narrative by maximizing the power of a well-designed elevator pitch and interpersonal skills outside of a formal setting. Treat every new person you meet like a potential job interview -- healthcare is a small world.  
  • Seek sponsors in addition to mentors. Having a person to advocate for your abilities within your organization is crucial for moving up, and it's not a burden to task someone who is simply your mentor. 
  • Mentor: someone who can guide you through the landscape or your career as a whole.  
  • Sponsor: Someone who’s willing to put their professional reputation on the line to vouch for the next steps in your career. 
  • Push yourself into situations and projects that force you to be uncomfortable. Expose yourself to new areas of healthcare and intentionally address gaps in your knowledge and experience.  
  • Be able to be responsible for AI opportunities and risks in your work and teams. You don’t have to be an expert, but you must understand how to responsibly manage what you create. 

Upcoming Events

The Role of Data and Advanced Analytics in Transforming Healthcare 

Deep Dive: Empowering Men's Mental Health 

  • June 21, 2024 
  • 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. EDT 
  • The Schultz Center 
  • 4019 Boulevard Center Dr.  
  • Jacksonville, FL 32207 
  • Credit: 1 hour  
  • $25 to $100, depending on membership 
  • Flier with details
  • Register today. 
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