What a wonderful year it has been made up of successful educational events, networking opportunities, new members, new fellows, and a thriving ACHE chapter.  As my year as chapter president comes to a close and as we celebrate the holiday season, I reflect upon this past year and I am filled with gratitude.  I am thankful for the ACHE organization and the guidance provided by our colleagues in the national office.  I am thankful for an outstanding and committed board of directors; a group of individuals who are thoroughly committed to carrying out the mission of ACHE and through their work and actions make the Hawai‘i Chapter a vibrant organization.  I am thankful for the many volunteers who serve on committees, assist at functions, and lend a hand wherever one is needed.  I am thankful for our members--you are the reason that we exist.  As members you see the value as professionals in being part of ACHE, you seek to grow professionally, you network with your colleagues, and you make this organization relevant.  Finally, I am extremely grateful for the mission that we collectively serve in health care in that we provide care to those in need and in doing so we make our community a better place.  Our season of change continues and quite frankly we can become distracted with the unknowns of the future.  My hope is that you are all encouraged by the great work that you do.  I personally thank all of you for this work, and I ask that we all stay focused on making Hawai‘i a better place!

I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.  I thank you for allowing me to serve as the President of the ACHE Hawai‘i Chapter and I look forward to continued great things from this organization.