Submitted by: CAPT Frances Gipson and CDR Brad Austin
VADM Richard H. Carmona delivered the opening plenary session at the American College of Healthcare Executives’ (ACHE) 2005 Congress on Healthcare Management on March 14 in Chicago, IL. His talk, given as the Parker B. Francis Distinguished Lecture, addressed “The Healthcare Executive’s Role in Improving Public Health” before 4,500 Congress attendees. The purpose of this annual lecture (presented for the past 30 years) is to present outstanding executives from the worlds of commerce, education, and government to the health services field. VADM Carmona’s speech was electrifying and met with several standing ovations.
VADM Carmona spoke at length of his commitment to the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) and three of his priorities: disease prevention, public health preparedness, and eliminating health disparities. He noted that these priorities are strongly evidence-based, a driving force in United States healthcare management practices. By discussing these three topics that touch and cut across all of America, VADM Carmona set the theme for the week’s conference. Corps officers attending the Congress received many accolades and compliments directed toward VADM Carmona and the Corps. In addition, VADM Carmona was inducted as an Honorary Fellow of ACHE just prior to his speech. The Corps made history since this is the first time in ACHE history that a Surgeon General of the Uniformed Services has both been inducted as an Honorary Fellow and delivered the keynote for the College. The Health Administration Professional Advisory Group (HAPAG), a discipline-specific group within the Health Services category, facilitated this historic occasion by working with ACHE and the Office of the Surgeon General.
The ACHE is an international professional society of some 30,000 healthcare executives who lead our Nation’s hospitals, healthcare systems, and other healthcare organizations. ACHE is known for its prestigious credentialing and educational programs, annual Congress on Healthcare Management, the Journal of Healthcare Management, Healthcare Executives magazine, and ground-breaking research, career development, and public health policy programs. Advancement through ACHE’s prestigious credentialing program demonstrates leadership and career growth in the profession of health administration. Members of the Corps and our allied Uniformed Services Medical Service Corps officers are active members of ACHE. The HAPAG plans to work with ACHE for greater representation and participation among Health Services officers in this prestigious organization.