Mission: The mission of the Chapter, in the territory designated by ACHE, is to be the professional membership society where healthcare leaders can access industry leading education, network with colleagues from a diverse base of healthcare leaders and support each other in advancement to Fellow status and achievement of career goals, including promotion of high ethical standards and conduct and to promote the mission of ACHE.
Who We Are
ACHE of Western PA has over 400 members representing over 80 communities and cities and 230 healthcare organizations
- Serves 26 counties of Pennsylvania, from Lake Erie to West Virginia
- Nearly 100 tertiary and community hospitals in the Western PA region
- Provides partnerships with accredited colleges that provide innovative education and research in information technology and life sciences
- Offers continuing education credits for ongoing learning and maintaining access to cutting-edge industry knowledge
- Enables members the opportunity to maximize professional potential by earning the premier credential in healthcare management, an ACHE Fellow (FACHE) board certified in healthcare management
- Offers access to one of the largest professional affiliated healthcare organizations in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)
- Members receive reduced fees for educational programs and networking receptions
- Excellent opportunities to develop professional relationships and gain mentors/mentees
- Provides the best way for healthcare leaders to connect, succeed, learn, advance and lead.
To review the ACHE of Western PA Bylaws updated in 2019 please click here
Committee Information
Advancement & Nominating Committee:
Chair: Evan Finkelstein, MHA and Samantha Swan, PAHM
Diversity Committee:
Chair: Lisa Pareso, MHA
Early Careerist Network Committee:
Chair: Maria Sermania, MPH
Membership & Marketing Committee:
Chair: Adam Kramer, MBA, MHA
Programming Committee:
Chair: Stephanie Dorwart, MHA
Sponsorship Committee:
Chair: Alex Lutz, MS HCPM
For information about ACHE of Western PA’s Board of Directors please click here
Chapter History:
2003: Southwestern Pennsylvania Healthcare Executives (SPHE) was established as a local networking and education group for healthcare leaders in its geography. Samuel Friede, FACHE, Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, established the chapter, recruited the board of directors, and was its first president.
2004: SPHE became chartered as an official local chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives
2006: SPHE merged with the northwestern Pennsylvania ACHE chapter to form ACHE of Western PA
Presidents:
- 2004-2005: Samuel Friede, FACHE
- 2006-2007: Karen Hartman
- 2008-2009: Amy Richards, FACHE
- 2010-2011: Janet Cipullo, FACHE
- 2012-2013: Michelle Robertson, FACHE
- 2014: Anna Voelker, MHA
- 2015: Kristin Powers, MHA
- 2016: Stacey Vaccaro, FACHE
- 2017: Laura Griffin, MHA
- 2018: Natalie Bulger, CHC, FACHE
- 2019: Caitlin Gaudi, MHA
- 2020: Kelly Blake, DNP, MBA
- 2021: Kim Fierst, MS HCPM
