I trust you folks had a good holiday season, and hope 2021 is off to a prosperous start.  As we reflect back on the last 14 months of this pandemic, it is no understatement to say that our lives have been completely changed.  In the early months, we focused on PPE shortages, establishing protocols, and testing. Then, it shifted to managing the summer surge, ensuring patients were receiving top quality care and keeping our staff safe.  Now, we’ve transitioned to an “all hands on deck” vaccination effort. The millions of lives lost to Covid-19 is a tragedy, yet we find solace in knowing there will be end to this pandemic through immunization.  I applaud you and your teams for all for the tireless work, the long nights, and weekends that have been needed to keep our community in Hawaii safe.

The local ACHE chapter continues to be here to support you folks in your healthcare journey.  One of the greatest strengths of our chapter and community, is how connected we are.  Despite not being able to host social events over the past year, I still receive many emails and calls from members across the islands.  I encourage us to make those bonds with other members, to share best practices, and improve the healthcare in our community.  Despite the pandemic, our Hawaii-Pacific Chapter membership roster remains strong and continues to grow.  In other news, the first ever virtual ACHE Congress just wrapped up in late March, and it was filled with inspirational content and superstar speakers.  Our local board continues to devise new ways to keep us connected in this virtual era, we will be hosting an upcoming (virtual) leadership development program in late April, registration details coming soon.  The annual AONL/ACHE event typically hosted at the Kahala Hotel will also be cancelled for 2021, but our ACHE chapter is hoping to plan in-person events by years end.  Please continue the great work, and hope to see you all again soon. 

If I can be a resource, you would like to get more involved in the local chapter, or you just want to connect, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email.  (808)-763-8544 or Andrew.T.Giles@kp.org.

Thank you,

 

Andrew

 

Andrew T. Giles, MBA, FACHE

President, Hawai'i-Pacific Chapter of ACHE  

Assistant Administrator - Hospital Operations & Support Services