Richard Belloff, D.B.A., assistant professor in DMU’s master of health care administration (M.H.A.) program, recently was awarded fellow status in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), an international professional society of more than 40,000 health care executives who lead hospitals, health care systems and other health care organizations. ACHE offers its prestigious FACHE® credential to signify board certification in health care management.
Ann York, Ph.D., P.T., associate professor in the M.H.A. program, earned fellow status in 2013. Fellow status represents achievement of the highest standard of professional development. Only 9,100 health care executives hold this distinction.
“Earning the distinction signifies your expertise, experience and commitment to continuing education and professional development,” Belloff says. “Just as members of the medical staff are board-certified, having the FACHE credential by your name indicates a level of achievement in the profession.”
To obtain fellow status, candidates must have a master’s or other advanced degree as well as at least two years of health care management experience. They must fulfill multiple requirements, including passing a comprehensive examination, meeting academic and experiential criteria, earning continuing education credits and demonstrating professional/community involvement. Fellows are also committed to ongoing professional development and lifelong learning. They undergo recertification every three years.
York notes the benefits that fellow status can bring to students. “The many resources available to ACHE members include education, current events and networking opportunities,” she says.“Making full use of these resources allows me to share cutting-edge knowledge in health care with my students.”
