President's Report

Oregon ACHE Chapter Update: A Message from the President

July 2025

 

Greetings, Oregon ACHE members!

 

As we move through the heart of summer, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible momentum we’ve built together this year. It’s been a season of connection, collaboration, and continued commitment to advancing healthcare leadership across Oregon.

 

Celebrating a Powerful Gathering: “The Human Factor”

 

On May 16th, we hosted one of our most impactful events to date—“The Human Factor: Health, Housing, and Workplace Well-Being.” This full-day program brought together a diverse group of leaders and changemakers to explore the intersection of workplace culture, community health, and housing.

 

A heartfelt thank you to our morning speakers—Andrea Bennett, Jalene Case, Win Howard, Melanie Brown, and Nicole Wood—who shared deeply personal and practical insights on building resilient, supportive workplace cultures.

 

In the afternoon, we shifted our focus to the broader community, with powerful discussions led by Danielle Bautista Sylten, Wakan Alferes, Sheila Clough, Dr. William Foster, Dana Petersen-Crabb, and Evita Marnell. Their work in housing and health equity underscored a vital truth: improving community health requires all of us, working together across sectors.

 

We also took time during the event to recognize members who recently advanced to Fellow status and to share our chapter’s vision for supporting more members on their journey toward the FACHE credential.

 

Special thanks to PeaceHealth for hosting us, and to the many volunteers and board members who made this event possible. Your dedication to creating meaningful learning and networking opportunities is what makes our chapter thrive.

 

Advancing Together: Launch of the Advancement Committee

 

In alignment with our strategic priorities, I’m excited to share that we have officially launched the Advancement Committee—a new initiative dedicated to supporting members across Oregon who are pursuing the FACHE credential.

 

Leading this important effort is board member Amy Watson, who has graciously stepped into the role of our inaugural Advancement Committee Chair. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Amy about her deep passion for supporting members through the advancement process, and I’m truly grateful for her leadership in this role. Her enthusiasm and commitment are already shaping a strong foundation for this important work.

 

This year, we’ve proudly celebrated four members who have successfully advanced to Fellow status, and we currently have 110 members eligible to advance. These numbers reflect both the strength of our chapter and the opportunity we have to support even more leaders in reaching this professional milestone.

 

To make this initiative a success, we’re calling on our Fellows to help support the next generation of healthcare leaders. There are several ways you can contribute:

If you're interested in getting involved or have study materials to contribute, please reach out to Amy Watson.  Your experience and encouragement can make a meaningful difference in someone’s professional journey!

 

And if you’re considering advancing yourself or have questions about the process, we’d love to hear from you too. Visit our website at oregon.ache.org for more information and resources to help you get started.

 

Save the Date: OR ACHE Fall Conference in Partnership with the Hospital Association of Oregon

 

Save the date for the OR ACHE Fall Conference scheduled for Oct 1 (9-4pm) at St. Charles Hospital in Bend, Oregon. This year, we’re excited to announce a partnership with the Hospital Association of Oregon for annual meeting, taking place October 1–3 in Sunriver, Oregon.

ACHE members are strongly encouraged to attend this important gathering, which brings together healthcare leaders from across the state to share insights, foster collaboration, and explore the future of healthcare in Oregon.

 

For ACHE members who do not work in hospitals, we’re pleased to offer access to the opening session, keynote, and lunch on Thursday, October 2. This is a great opportunity to engage with hospital leaders, hear from inspiring speakers, and connect with peers in a beautiful setting.

🔗 Registration for Hospital Members: https://forms.office.com/r/YqXYgwjGmB
🔗 Registration for Non-Hospital ACHE Members (Oct 2 only): https://forms.office.com/r/6W3MdYmNqE

 

Stay Engaged: Education, Events & Networking

 

Our chapter is committed to providing valuable learning and networking opportunities. Be sure to check our website and LinkedIn page for event updates and if you are interested in organizing one!

 

Connect and Get Involved!

 

We are always looking for members who want to get involved and help shape the future of our chapter. Whether through committee work, event planning, or mentorship, there are many ways to contribute. If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about available opportunities, please reach out!

 

I also welcome the opportunity to connect with you, learn about your goals and engage in dialogue on how the chapter can support you professionally. Thank you for being part of the Oregon ACHE community.

 

 

Best regards,

 

Wing K. Chan, MHA, FACHE
President, Oregon ACHE Chapter

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Message from Your ACHE Regent

Jennifer Will, Director of Operation at PeaceHealth Harbor Medical Center has recently been selected to serve as our Regent for Oregon with the American College of Healthcare Executives.  Jenny will be serving out the remaining term of Dr. Jane Russell, who recently was appointed President and CEO or Bath Community Hospital in Hot Springs, Virginia.  I had the pleasure to visit with Jenny as she accepts this new leadership role and got to know her better.

Jenny has spent her entire career in healthcare.  She started out as a pharmacy technician.  Her desire to explore and learn about all aspects of the healthcare system eventually led to roles in emergency department registration, community heath work, billing, clinical leadership, project management and executive level hospital leadership.  Throughout her career she has brought a curiosity and a desire to learn.  This sincere curiosity is a hallmark of her leadership career.  Jenny said, “Each position has contributed to an enriching journey for me.  I believe every role in healthcare is vital, and I can’t envision doing anything else.  We are privileged to be part of something so important.”

Along her healthcare journey, Jenny pursued education in healthcare, and achieved a personal a goal to become board certified in healthcare administration, and earn the recognition of being a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

The American College of Healthcare Executives has four values.  These values include integrity, lifelong learning, leadership, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.  Jenny’s contributions to the healthcare community can easily be summarized in any of these categories.  I asked Jenny which of the four values were most important in her leadership journey.  “Integrity resonates with me the most,” she said.  “It is the cornerstone of our work in healthcare.  I believe that integrity has been instrumental in my journey and success.  It is the foundation of trust, and without it, healthcare leaders cannot effectively inspire or guide their teams.  Integrity is essential for fostering a culture of accountability and respect.”  She also shared, “Integrity ultimately leads to better patient care and employee satisfaction.”

Along our leadership journey, we all have been influenced by mentors and other leaders that we grow to admire.  Mentorship is an important aspect of our participation in ACHE.  I asked Jenny to tell me about a leader who inspired her and has had an influence on her healthcare career.  “The most influential leader I've had the privilege of working with is Carolyn Duquette.”  Jenny then shared a very personal experience that she had when working with Carolyn.  “During the most challenging period of my life, when my husband passed away, she stood by me and offered unwavering support. Carolyn provided daily hope and inspiration.  She was influential in reminding me of my purpose in healthcare while connecting with me on a personal level. Her kindness and encouragement helped me find ways to honor my husband through my work, especially as he faced health challenges that ultimately took his life.”  Carolyn’s impact during a deep personal time has stayed with Jenny.  That impact is reflected in Jenny’s leadership as she carries with her “a deeper understanding of the patient perspective in everything I do.” 

We are so excited to have Jenny represent us as our Regent for Oregon.  I asked Jenny to tell me about one thing that she’d most like to accomplish as our Regent.  Her initial response tells me about her humility as a leader.  “Well, I’m still learning my duties.  I may have to get back to you on that one.”  But when pressed she shared, “I would really like to have more engagement with students and those that are coming into the healthcare profession.”  Those students and new professionals are going to be very lucky to have a mentor like Jenny as they start on their leadership journey.

I hope that you will join me, and the rest of the board of the Oregon Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives in welcoming Jenny to her new leadership position.  We are excited for her continued contributions to healthcare across our state.

 

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