MEMBER OF AGH LEADERSHIP EARNS FACHE (FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVES) CREDENTIAL

Berlin, Md. –Kim Justice, FACHE, vice president planning/operations at Atlantic General Hospital recently became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the nation’s leading professional society for healthcare leaders.

“The healthcare management field plays a vital role in providing high-quality care to the people in our communities, which makes having a standard of excellence promoted by a professional organization critically important,” says Deborah J. Bowen, FACHE, CAE, president and chief executive officer of ACHE. “By becoming an ACHE Fellow and earning the distinction of board certification from ACHE, healthcare leaders demonstrate a commitment to excellence in serving their patients and the community.”

Fellow status represents achievement of the highest standard of professional development. In fact, only 9,100 healthcare executives hold this distinction. To obtain Fellow status, candidates 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 undergo recertification every three years.

Justice is privileged to use the FACHE® credential, which signifies board certification in healthcare management and ACHE Fellow status. “I am extremely grateful to have earned this designation and truly believe myself and the other FACHE executives and leaders at Atlantic General Hospital are furthering the hospital and health system’s mission and ethical commitment to the community through lifelong learning,” said Justice.

Justice has been with Atlantic General Hospital since 1993 and prior to becoming vice president of planning/operations in 2000 held positions as laboratory manager and director of ancillary services. She coordinates all aspects of the design, bidding and construction for the Hospital's facility expansion or renovation which have included a new emergency department and administrative wing, infusion center, pharmacy, outpatient hospital clinic, multiple physician offices, women’s diagnostic center, radiology suites including MRI and CT, endoscopy suite, urology center, site and plant improvements, the Barrett Medical Office Building and now the new John H. “Jack” Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves on the Worcester County Health Planning Advisory Council, Tri-County Regional Health Planning Committee and Worcester Technical High School Advisory Committee.

For more information regarding the FACHE credential, please contact the ACHE Division of Member Services at (312) 424-9400, by emailing contact@ache.org, or visit ache.org/FACHE.

About the American College of Healthcare Executives

The American College of Healthcare Executives is an international professional society of more than 40,000 healthcare executives who lead hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations. ACHE offers its prestigious FACHE® credential, signifying board certification in healthcare management. ACHE's established network of more than 78 chapters provides access to networking, education and career development at the local level. In addition, ACHE is known for its magazine, Healthcare Executive, and its career development and public policy programs. Through such efforts, ACHE works toward its goal of being the premier professional society for healthcare executives dedicated to improving healthcare delivery. The Foundation of the American College of Healthcare Executives was established to further advance healthcare management excellence through education and research. The Foundation of ACHE is known for its educational programs—including the annual Congress on Healthcare Leadership, which draws more than 4,000 participants—and groundbreaking research. Its publishing division, Health Administration Press, is one of the largest publishers of books and journals on health services management including textbooks for college and university courses.