CFCHE Adds Value to Your CIO Relationship
5.08.18
Rose Lucas, Specialist, CHIME Foundation
No longer in its infancy, the CHIME Foundation Certified Health Executive (CFCHE) program is gaining momentum and recognition in the healthcare IT industry. Many current CFCHE holders will be celebrating their one-year exam anniversary at this year’s CHIME Partner Education Summit (CPES) taking place Sept. 5-7 in Chicago.
As a refresher, the CFCHE program is your opportunity as a CHIME Foundation representative to distinguish yourself and showcase your professional commitment, credibility and comprehensive understanding of the healthcare IT environment. A typical CFCHE candidate is an individual who has three years professional experience at a CHIME Foundation firm and either has primary responsibility for the firm’s relationships to CHIME members or leads/participates in product development designed for or communications to CHIME members.
Insight asked a few participants who either received their CFCHE or served on the development committee to provide their thoughts and perspective on the program.
Randy McCleese, FCHIME, LCHIME, CHCIO, FHIMSS, CIO at Methodist Hospital, and recent recipient of the 2017 John E. Gall Jr. CIO of the Year award, had this to say about what earning your CFCHE means to a CIO:
“As a CHCIO and part of the group that developed the requirements for CFCHE, I can attest that anyone with the credential has a thorough knowledge of the industry and can hit the ground running when working with a healthcare provider. The designation of CFCHE lets CIOs and other leaders know that their foundation firm representative cares enough about their position to learn what makes things tick in healthcare. Healthcare providers can rest assured that anyone with the credential has an elevated understanding of care delivery, and the technology ecosystem that assists in that delivery.
“A CFCHE saves their clients valuable time because they come to the partnership with a solid understanding how the industry operates and only need to increment their knowledge with the specifics of the individual’s provider organization.”
When we asked pioneer CFCHE designee Lydon Neumann, vice president of Impact Advisors, LLC, how the professional designation has made a difference to him, he replied: “The recognition by colleagues and customers has been very rewarding, which is a positive reflection on the value of a CHIME certification and my personal and professional commitment to serve healthcare’s technology leaders.
As far as any advice to interested colleagues: I would encourage my peers to pursue the CFCHE credential, which has the added benefit of raising the visibility and high standards of performance of those who are committed to the industry we love, healthcare.”
Another CFCHE designee, Susan Biddle, senior director of Government, Education and Healthcare Industry Marketing at Fortinet, said: “I’m proud to have earned the CHIME Foundation Certified Healthcare Executive (CFCHE) credential and appreciate CHIME’s focus and commitment to developing the leadership competencies of its Foundation members. CFCHE offers instant industry ‘street-cred’ and has provided me with the resources and connections necessary for long-term success in my career.”
We welcome feedback from other CFCHE designees. If you would like to share your experiences as a CFCHE, or if you have questions about how you can become certified or send your team to take the exam and receive a discount on materials and the program, please contact us at foundationstaff@chimecentral.org.