The American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) of the American Hospital Association (AHA) is celebrating the outstanding contributions its members have made to improving the healthcare physical environment. The special recognition of member contributions coincided with the association’s 55th Annual Conference and Technical Exhibition, held July 15-18 in Seattle.
Considered ASHE’s “lifetime achievement” recognition, the Crystal Eagle award was presented to George L. Thomas, FASHE, CHFM, LSCS. Thomas began his career in healthcare as an hourly employee in the housekeeping department, shifted to the engineering department, and moved up the ranks until he was ultimately promoted to vice president of engineering with responsibility for multiple departments and multi-million-dollar budgets. Thomas, who had more than 50 years of experience before retiring, has a passion for the field of healthcare facility management and for giving back to others in the profession. He served in leadership positions within ASHE and his local chapter in New Jersey and has served as a mentor and inspiration to many.
The President’s Award, which is presented at the discretion of the sitting ASHE president to an individual who goes above and beyond to optimize the healthcare physical environment, was presented to Susan B. McLaughlin, MBA, CHSP, FASHE, MT (ASCP) SC, CHFM, chief operating officer of MSL Healthcare Partners, Inc. ASHE President Bradley R. Taylor, MBA, CHFM, CHC, said McLaughlin is an inspiration for serving in many leadership roles and for blazing a new path in a traditionally male-dominated field.
ASHE also recognized at the conference dozens of Ilse B. Almanza scholarships, regional leaders, and members who attained senior (SASHE) and fellow (FASHE) status within ASHE.
The FASHE designation is bestowed on those who have been ASHE members in good standing for at least seven years and have supported ASHE through education, leadership, and written contributions. The following members are new FASHE recipients:
Gary L. Hempeck, FASHE, CHFM, BS, with North Memorial Health Hospital in Brook-lyn Park, Minnesota
Jeffrey E. Henne, FASHE, CHSP-FSM, CHEP, CHC, with Penn Medicine—Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Devin J. Hugie, FASHE, CHFM, CHC, CHSP-FSM, CHEP, with Children’s Hospital of Orange County in Long Beach, California
Tim P. Staley, FASHE, CHC, CHFM, with Empirical Energy Solutions Inc. in Little Rock, Arkansas
Antonio Suarez, FASHE, MBA, CHFM, with Midland Memorial Hospital in Midland, Texas
The SASHE designation is bestowed on those who have been ASHE members in good standing for at least five years and have supported ASHE in terms of education and leadership. The following members are new SASHE recipients:
Robert Baird, Jr., SASHE, CHFM, CHC, CHSP, with UF Health, Gainsville, Florida
Francis J. Connelly, SASHE, CHFM, with Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jerry Ferguson, SASHE, CFM, CHFM, with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Germantown, Tennessee
Jonathan Hart, SASHE, with NFPA, Quincy, Massachusetts
Ronald Henley, SASHE, CHFM, CHSP, CHE, with Baptist Health in Paducah, Kentucky
Steven Jalowiec, SASHE, PE, CHFM, with Hospital Energy in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
William E. Koffel, SASHE, PE, with Koffel Associates, Inc., in Columbia, Maryland
Carol J. McCormick, SASHE, CHFM, with Catholic Health Initiatives in Omaha, Nebraska
James S. Peterkin, SASHE, PE, with TLC Engineering for Architecture in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Stanford O. Stephens, III, SASHE, CHFM, CHC, CHESP, with Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick, Georgia
Rick Tinsley, SASHE, CHFM, CHEP, with Life Safety Services in Columbia, Tennessee
ASHE also recognized the following regional leaders from ASHE’s regions. The Regional Leader Award recognizes people for their contributions to the fields of healthcare engineering and facilities management; planning, design, and construction; safety; clinical and biomedical engineering; and technical management.
Region 1: Kevin Leach, with Mohawk Valley Health System in Utica, New York
Region 2: George Young, Jr., CHFM, with Atlantic Health System/Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, New Jersey
Region 3: Kevin Graham, PE, with Princeton Community Hospital in Princeton, West Virginia
Region 4: Eric Petrus, with WellStar West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange, Georgia
Region 5: Ryan Ollie, with Advocate Health Care in Downers Grove, Illinois
Region 6: Nathan Hall, with Huron Regional Medical Center in Huron, South Dakota
Region 7: Richard Oswald, CHFM, with Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Region 8: Jeremy Bechtold, CHFM, CHC, LEED AP, with Saint Luke’s Health System in Kansas City, Missouri
Region 9: Kristopher Day, with Dignity Health – St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona
Region 10: Kathryn Dudley, with Saint Alphonsus Health System in Boise, Idaho
For more information on ASHE awards, visit www.ashe.org/about/awards.
