ASHE Celebrates Award Recipients at Annual Conference

CHICAGO, Ill. — The American Society for Healthcare Engineering recognized outstanding members for their dedication to improving the healthcare physical environment. ASHE presented the awards during its 52nd Annual Conference and Technical Exhibition July 12-15 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Crystal Eagle award, considered ASHE’s “lifetime achievement” award, was presented to Michael Kuechenmeister, FASHE, CHFM, CHC, director of plant operations at West Chester Hospital in West Chester, Ohio. Kuechenmeister has contributed to the field through his work in healthcare safety, advocacy and energy efficiency. He became a nationally recognized leader in helping several southern hospitals stay open during Hurricane Katrina.

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 Walt Vernon, CEO of Mazzetti.

ASHE also recognized members who attained senior and fellow status within ASHE. 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:

•    Donna Craft, RN, MHA, SASHE, Premier, Inc., Huntersville, North Carolina
•    David Dierking, MBA, CHFM, SASHE, Edward Hospital, Naperville, Illinois
•    Ralph Graham Jr., CHFM, SASHE, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
•    Gary Hamilton, P.E., LEED AP, SASHE, SmithGroupJJR, Washington, D.C.
•    Eric Herrera, CHFM, SASHE, Memorial Hermann Hospital, Katy, Texas
•    John Holderman II, CHFM, CHC, SASHE, St. John Health System, Tulsa, Oklahoma
•    Sean Mulholland, P.E., CHFM, CHC, SASHE, Penrose/St. Francis Health Services, Colorado Springs, Colorado
•    Hank Schuurman, CHC, SASHE, Christian Health Care Center, Wyckoff, New Jersey
•    Dana Swenson, P.E., MBA, SASHE, UMass Memorial Health Care System, Worcester, Massachusetts

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:

•    Steve Cutter, MBA, HFDP, CHFM, FASHE, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
•    Bert Gumeringer, CHFM, FASHE, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas
•    Richard Parker, FACHE, CHSP, FASHE, Tucson Medical Center, Tucson, Arizona
•    Walt Vernon, P.E., FASHE, Mazzetti, San Francisco, California

ASHE leaders also announced the following emerging regional leaders from each of ASHE’s 10 regions. The Emerging 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: Paul Cantrell, Jr., CHFM, Concord Hospital,Concord, New Hampshire
•    Region 2: James Walsh, CHFM, Atlanticare Regional Medical Center , Pomona, New Jersey
•    Region 3: David Murray, CHFM, High Point Regional/UNC Health Systems, High Point, North Carolina
•    Region 4: Donald Stewart, CHFM, Florida Hospital East, Orlando, Florida
•    Region 5: Jo Ellen McCarthy, CHEP, Shriners Hospital for Children, Cincinnati, Ohio
•    Region 6: Phillip Nelson, CHFM, Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, Storm Lake, Iowa
•    Region 7: Casey Miranda, Jackson County Memorial Hospital, Altus, Oklahoma
•    Region 8: Carol McCormick, CHFM, CHI Health, Omaha, Nebraska
•    Region 9: Michael Cooper, CHFM, Kaiser Permanente, Modesto, California
•    Region 10: J. Brett Dille, Weiser Memorial Hospital, Weiser, Idaho

For more information, visit www.ashe.org/about/awards/.