Working as a physician is a professional lifestyle that is demanding and subject to numerous unanticipated influences that affect both professional and personal development. The target for ACPE in its next era is that the College will become the “go-to organization for physician leaders”—recognizing that every physician is a leader at some level.
In its first 35 years, ACPE evolved into an organization that is built upon a strong platform developed under the leadership of ACPE’s founder, Roger Schenke, and the consolidating influence of ACPE’s second CEO, Dr. Barry Silbaugh.
Both helped grow an organization that is recognized within health care as one that provides outstanding educational programs, products and services for physician leaders. This is also an organization which is now increasingly recognized globally for delivering superior quality content to physicians working in a wide variety of professions.
Physicians with ACPE training are aggressively sought by health care organizations because of the recognized ability these physicians have to influence growth and development. As a result, ACPE faculty, alumni and members are exceedingly proud of the College—as rightfully they should be!
In November 2011, I began as the next CEO for ACPE—an opportunity for which I am truly humbled and honored to receive. The ACPE Board and staff have been highly supportive in the transition period and I am fully impressed by their individual and collective expertise. ACPE clearly has a superb infrastructure and set of organizational processes that result in a high-performing organization. In many ways, ACPE emulates the characteristics we each seek to imbed within health care organizations.
As the College’s new CEO, I am charged with continuing to grow the College and further leverage the existing strength of the organization—especially during a period in health care where ongoing change is the expected norm. A deep level of strategic planning for the organization was recently completed by the ACPE Board and senior staff. The plan that resulted calls for:
· Membership growth and lifelong engagement
· An expansion of educational offerings for professional development
· The initiation of a broader array of collaborative community support (professional and personal)
· Increased presence of ACPE within organized health care, with the College providing a balanced voice for physician leaders
This new era will result in a wider spectrum of programs, products and services for all types of physician leaders throughout all stages of their careers — from those who are just beginning to those who have already retired. Our approach will accommodate known differences between generations and learning styles, and we'll continue to use the latest technologies to support the educational experience.As we begin the next stage of this journey, I ask you to embrace ACPE, stay with ACPE, and encourage others to join ACPE. The current opportunity is unique and I want you to be part of it. Thank you for allowing the College to serve each of you as we tackle leadership challenges in our respective environments.
