ACHE of South Florida (ACHE-SFL) is the local official chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and provides members with educational programs, networking and volunteer opportunities, career and advancement resources and the ability to connect with healthcare executives.
Learn MoreAs a member, you'll join more than 48,000 healthcare leaders from across the country and around the world who are dedicated to improving health. If you want to connect with local healthcare professionals, join ACHE and select ACHE of South Florida as your home chapter.
Learn MoreWe invite you to attend the many events we host throughout the year, including educational programs, networking events, webinars, seminars and much more.
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Kenneth Jones’ grandmother was a nurse, and because of that, he said he’s always had an interest in healthcare. Now, as Chief Executive Officer of HCA Florida NW Hospital, he finds himself in healthcare, but in a different capacity than he expected. “I really didn’t know about healthcare administration until later in my undergraduate progression,” he said, pointing out, however, that he had participated in leadership activities while growing up, including for student government, and served on numerous committees for professional organizations. He said being CEO at the hospital “is really a good mixture of healthcare and business and leadership; it kind of melded two of my passions.”
Jones credits part of his progression with becoming a member of ACHE – the American College of Healthcare Executives – in 2001. He said the graduate school program at the University of Minnesota encouraged students to participate, and he joined because he wanted to take advantage of the organization’s resources – conferences, literature, mentoring opportunities, scholarships. “I wanted to develop my overall leadership skills, and I really have used those resources to become a better healthcare executive.”
He is now putting that leadership into action by handling the day-to-day operations of this 289‑bed, full-service facility. Since being named CEO three years ago, Jones said his focus has been on the culture, the patient experience, workforce and physician engagement, and growth and overall market share in core service lines.
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“Great leaders possess rare and invaluable qualities such as integrity, courage, empathy, compassion and an innate desire to do far more for the greater good than for self. They are visionaries who inspire and empower and are inclusive and collaborative in all things.”
“ACHE has been more than a benefit to my career, it has been the leading driver and foundation to my career and network.”
“The Fellowship (FACHE) designation is important because it adds a level of credibility to your resume. When interviewing for this position, it was a very important credential for the Memorial Healthcare System—it is considered the gold standard for leaders.”
“I became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) in 2015, because as I continued to take on more leadership roles, I wanted more professional growth and development opportunities. ACHE was a very well-respected organization, and several mentors of mine were Fellows, so it was something to which I aspired.”
“ACHE of South Florida has felt like family to me since I joined several years ago. It’s a privilege to be part of an organization of like-minded leaders who truly care about serving our community and making a positive impact on our healthcare delivery. ACHE has provided me with a diverse network full of knowledge and resources to maximize my skill set and contributions throughout my career.”
“ACHE of South Florida has helped me advance in my professional journey by providing the opportunity to learn alongside my colleagues in the healthcare industry, as well as expand my professional network. Lifelong learning is an essential element of continued development and advancement in this industry, and ACHE of South Florida’s educational programs have truly supported my growth in that regard.”
“ACHE has been a great partner throughout my professional journey. Early in my career, I sought the FACHE credential as a way to enhance my knowledge of healthcare management. I maintain my designation in order to stay current with all the new developments in our industry. Being part of the ACHE family is very rewarding as we nurture long lasting relationships. I usually call other fellows for advice while pursuing new endeavors, and I love connecting members with similar goals. As leaders, we should always mentor colleagues as well as young professionals and ACHE is the perfect platform to do that. If you are passionate about healthcare and want to make an impact in your communities, the FACHE credential is a must have, it will give you the skills and network to help you succeed.”