/ en Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:35:29 -0500 Thu, 01 Aug 24 09:33:27 -0500 /press-release-association-health-care-environment-presents-its-2024-phoenix-award Thu, 01 Aug 2024 09:33:27 -0500 Press Releases /press-release-newly-elected-and-appointed-2025-advisory-board-leadership Thu, 01 Aug 2024 08:41:16 -0500 Press Releases /press-release-association-health-care-environment-new-executive-director-2024 <p><strong>Chicago, March 4, 2024 </strong>| <strong>Formats:</strong> News Release</p><hr><p>CHICAGO — The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) has selected its next executive director: Elizabeth “Lizzie” Ortolano. Ortolano will replace current 91��������executive director Patti Costello, who is retiring April 5 after 29 years with the 91�������� and AHE.</p><p>“Patti has done a tremendous job leading 91��������through both good times and challenges like the recent pandemic,” said Deanna Martin, MS, CAE, Vice President of Professional Membership Groups at the 91��������. “She works tirelessly to support 91��������members and environmental services leaders in hospitals and other care settings.”</p><p>Ortolano will serve as executive director for both 91��������and another AHA professional membership group, the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE). Prior to this role, Ortolano was executive director of ASHE and another professional membership group. She brings nearly 20 years of leadership and association experience to AHE.</p><p>“Lizzie is a strong leader who excels at creating a culture of collaboration to meet strategic goals,” says Martin. “She’ll be a great fit with the 91��������team, the 91��������Advisory Board, and 91��������members, and will continue to ensure 91��������meets member needs.”</p><p>###</p><p><strong>91�������� AHE</strong></p><p>The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is a professional membership group of the 91��������. 91��������is the organization of choice for professionals responsible for caring for the patient and resident care environment across all care settings; including hospitals, long term care, continuing care retirement communities and ambulatory care. 91��������advances members’ ability to establish and maintain care environments that are free of environmental surface contamination and that support safety, service, and efficient and effective operations. www.ahe.org</p> Mon, 01 Apr 2024 10:43:09 -0500 Press Releases /press-release-newly-elected-and-appointed-advisory-board-members-2024 <h3><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></h3> <h4><strong>The Association for the Health Care Environment Announces 2024-2026 Advisory Board Leadership</strong></h4> <p><strong>Chicago, August 29, 2023</strong> –  The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) announced elected officers and appointed At Large Advisory Board Members. The three-year Advisory Board member terms begin January 1, 2024.</p> <p><strong>Marci Butts, MBA, BHA – Chair 2024 - 2025</strong><br /> Ms. Buts is the Manager, Support Services. Mercy West Hospital, Cincinnati, OH. Marci has over ten years environmental and support services experience in acute care. She has served on a variety of hospital committees including: environment of care, infection control, process improvement, United Way, planning & construction, and regulatory readiness. An active 91��������member, Marci has participated on or chaired several 91��������committees including Advisory Council, Exchange Planning, Nomination, and Awards and Recognition. </p> <p><strong>Eric Nowak, MBA, T-CHEST, T-CSCT - </strong><b>Chair-Elect</b><br /> Mr. Novak is associate vice president of hospitality services at Geisinger Health in Danville, PA. He has 8 years of experience leading EVS across 9 hospitals and 7 years as a supply chain professional with Geisinger. Eric has been an 91��������member for 7 years, has participated in the review of EVS Department of the Year nominees, and has been active in driving content for the education and knowledge management and served as a subject matter expert for the development of the <a href="/designations/chest">CHEST</a> train the trainer program. Eric has been reappointed for a second three-year term as an At-Large member and most recently selected by his Advisory Board peers to serve as Chair-elect for 2-24-2025, assuming the role of Chair in January 2026</p> <p><strong>Flash Fiegel, T-CNACC, CMIP, T-CHEST - At-Large, Advisory Board Member</strong><br /> Mr. Fiegel is the National Multi-Divisional Director of EVS, Laundry & Linen at CommonSpirit Health. Throughout his career, Flash has consistently demonstrated his expertise in program implementation and standardization of EVS, Linen, and Transport SOPs. His strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in driving positive change within the organizations he has served..</p> <p><strong>Tom Bergin, MBA - </strong><b>Industry Liaison, Advisory Board Member</b><br /> Mr. Bergin is Healthcare Marketing Director at Essity, Professional Hygiene. Since joining Essity in 2008, he has been focused on leading their efforts to provide better solutions to improve environmental hygiene in health care settings - both at the facility level and at the point of care. He currently manages a transatlantic team of marketers across the US and Europe. Tom has been an 91��������member since 2011 and has participated in the 91��������strategic planning committee. </p> <p class="text-align-center"><strong>#####</strong></p> <p class="text-align-center"><strong>91�������� AHE</strong></p> <p>The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is a professional membership group of the 91��������. 91��������is the organization of choice for professionals responsible for caring for the patient and resident care environment across all care settings; including hospitals, long term care, continuing care retirement communities and ambulatory care. 91��������advances members’ ability to establish and maintain care environments that are free of environmental surface contamination and that support safety, service, and efficient and effective operations <a href="mailto:www.ahe.org">www.ahe.org</a></p> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 10:57:13 -0500 Press Releases /ahe-presents-2023-environmental-services-department-year-award <p><strong>CHICAGO, August 1, 2023 - </strong>The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE), of the 91��������, together with Tork®, an Essity brand, announce the recipients of the 2023 Environmental Services (EVS) Department of the Year Award.</p> <p>The Environmental Services Department of the Year Award provides national recognition for the significant contributions made by an environmental services department to the overall patient experience and for achieving a health care organization's mission. It highlights the outstanding achievements of a cutting-edge environmental services team in maintaining high levels of performance in cleaning, disinfecting, environmental infection prevention, environmental sustainability and stewardship, technology use, patient experience and EVS team education and training.</p> <p>Based on facility bed size, this year’s recipients of the EVS Department of the Year Award are:</p> <ul> <li>1-249 Beds: Speare Memorial Hospital, Plymouth, NH</li> <li>250-499 Beds: Children’s Health Dallas Campus, Dallas, TX</li> <li>500+ Beds: Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA</li> </ul> <p>The 2023 Certificates of Merit recipients are:</p> <ul> <li>0-249 Beds: Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, Bloomsburg, PA</li> <li>250-499 beds: Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO</li> <li>500+ beds: Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI</li> </ul> <p>On behalf of all the EVS profession, 91��������would like to thank Essity and the Tork brand for their generosity in sponsoring the EVS Department of the Year Award for seven consecutive years and for their commitment to excellence in EVS operations.</p> <h4>91�������� AHE</h4> <p>The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is a Professional Membership Group of the 91��������. 91��������is the organization of choice for professionals responsible for establishing and maintaining health care environments that are free of surface contamination and that support safety, service, and efficient and effective operations.</p> <h4>91�������� Tork®</h4> <p>The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissue, soap, napkins, wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader that supports customers to think ahead so they’re always ready for business. Tork is a global brand of Essity, and a committed partner to customers in over 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit: <a href="http://www.torkusa.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">torkusa.com</a>.</p> <h4>91�������� Essity</h4> <p>Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company. We are dedicated to improving wellbeing through our products and services. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands, such as JOBST, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, Vinda and Zewa. Essity has about 46,000 employees. Net sales in 2021 amounted to approximately $13 billion. The company's headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Essity breaks barriers to well-being and contributes to a healthy, sustainable and circular society. More information at <a href="http://www.essity.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">essity.com</a>.</p> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 10:47:34 -0500 Press Releases /patti-costello-2023-phoenix-award-recipient <p> </p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="75%"> <p> </p> <img alt="91��������Logo" src="/sites/default/files/2019-03/AHE_logo_PMS.png" width="150px" /></td> <td valign="top"> <p> </p> <p><strong>NEWS RELEASE</strong><br /> Contact: Patti Costello<br /> <a href="mailto:ahe@aha.org">ahe@aha.org</a><br /> 312-422-3860</p> <p> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>August 8, 2023 | <b>Format:</b> News Release</p> <hr /> <p><strong>CHICAGO, August 8, 2023 -</strong> The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE), of the 91�������� (AHA), has announced the recipient of the 2023 Phoenix Award.</p> <p>First awarded in 1987, the Phoenix Award is the highest honor bestowed upon an 91��������member. The Phoenix Award recognizes a professional who has made an unselfish, lasting impact and outstanding contributions to the growth and professionalism of AHE, the membership, and to the advancement of 91��������and environmental services. Phoenix recipients are selected by the 91��������Advisory Board.</p> <p>The 2023 Phoenix Award was presented to Patti Costello, MT-CHEST, MT-CSCT at #EXCHANGE23, AHE’s Conference and Solution Center in Dallas, Texas. “She is the very definition of the Phoenix Award Winner. Nobody in this country has done more for this industry than her”, said 91��������Chair, Rock Jensen. “Patti has touched the lives of so many in our industry to enhance their personal and professional lives and is always available to assist anyone in need,” Executive Committee member, Eric Nowak said in his nomination for the award.</p> <hr /> <p><strong>91�������� 91��������</strong></p> <p>The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is a Professional Membership Group of the 91��������. 91��������is the professional organization of choice for professionals responsible for caring for the patient and resident care environment across all care settings; including hospitals, long term care, continuing care retirement communities and ambulatory care. 91��������shapes professional practice, advances and promotes the profession and promotes awareness for over 2,300 professionals working to ensure a clean and safe health care environment and quality outcomes. <a href="http://www.ahe.org">www.ahe.org</a></p> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 09:51:00 -0500 Press Releases /press-release/advisory-board-2023 Mon, 31 Oct 2022 13:55:18 -0500 Press Releases /ahe-presents-2022-environmental-services-department-year-award <p><strong>CHICAGO, September 12, 2022 - </strong>The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE), of the 91��������, together with Tork®, an Essity brand, announce the recipients of the 2022 Environmental Services (EVS) Department of the Year Award.</p> <p>The Environmental Services Department of the Year Award provides national recognition for the significant contributions made by an environmental services department to the overall patient experience and for achieving a health care organization's mission. It highlights the outstanding achievements of a cutting-edge environmental services team in maintaining high levels of performance in cleaning, disinfecting, environmental infection prevention, environmental sustainability and stewardship, technology use, patient experience and EVS team education and training.</p> <p>Based on facility bed size, this year’s recipients of the EVS Department of the Year Award are:</p> <ul> <li>1-249 Beds: Texas Health Frisco, Frisco, TX</li> <li>250-499 Beds: Mayo Clinic Health System, NWWI, Eau Claire, WI</li> <li>500+ Beds: Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, FL</li> </ul> <p>Award recipients will be recognized in the October issue of Health Facilities Management magazine</p> <p>The 2022 Certificates of Merit recipients are:</p> <ul> <li>0-249 Beds: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN</li> <li>250-499 beds: CaroMont Regional Medical Center, Gastonia, NC</li> <li>500+ beds: Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, IN</li> </ul> <p>On behalf of all the EVS profession, 91��������would like to thank Essity and the Tork brand for their generosity in sponsoring the EVS Department of the Year Award for six consecutive years and for their commitment to excellence in EVS operations.</p> <h4>91�������� AHE</h4> <p>The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is a Professional Membership Group of the 91��������. 91��������is the organization of choice for professionals responsible for establishing and maintaining health care environments that are free of surface contamination and that support safety, service, and efficient and effective operations.</p> <h4>91�������� Tork®</h4> <p>The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissue, soap, napkins, wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader that supports customers to think ahead so they’re always ready for business. Tork is a global brand of Essity, and a committed partner to customers in over 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit: <a href="http://www.torkusa.com">torkusa.com</a>.</p> <h4>91�������� Essity</h4> <p>Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company. We are dedicated to improving wellbeing through our products and services. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands, such as JOBST, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, Vinda and Zewa. Essity has about 46,000 employees. Net sales in 2021 amounted to approximately $13 billion. The company's headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Essity breaks barriers to well-being and contributes to a healthy, sustainable and circular society. More information at <a href="http://www.essity.com">essity.com</a>.</p> Mon, 12 Sep 2022 12:58:52 -0500 Press Releases /press-release-association-health-care-environment-announces-2022-2024-advisory-board-leadership <p><strong>Chicago, January 12, 2022 </strong>| <strong>Formats:</strong> News Release</p> <hr /> <p>The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) today announced elected officers and appointed At Large Advisory Board Members.</p> <p><strong>Rock Jensen, Chair</strong><br /> Administrative Director Support Services, Yuma Regional Medical Center, Yuma, AZ. With over 20 years of experience, Jensen has worked both in-house operations and outsourced management organizations as well as a senior consultant, having expertise in EVS, laundry, patient transport, foodservice, facility management and grounds and security. He has served extensively as an 91��������Subject Matter Expert and is the author of AHE’s Staffing Methodologies and Standards for Health Care Environmental Services.</p> <p><strong>Marci Butts, MBA, BHA – Chair-elect</strong><br /> Manager, Support Services. Mercy West Hospital, Cincinnati, OH. Marci has over ten years environmental and support services experience in acute care. She has served on a variety of hospital committees including: environment of care, infection control, process improvement, United Way, planning & construction, and regulatory readiness. An active 91��������member, Marci has participated on or chaired several 91��������committees including Advisory Council, Exchange Planning, Nomination, and Awards and Recognition. Ms. Butts’ term is two years and will accede to president in 2024.</p> <p><strong>Michael Lamoreaux, CHESP, T-CHEST</strong><br /> System Director, Intermountain Healthcare, Spanish Fork Utah. Michael has been in environmental services for over 20 years and has been in a leadership role for 17. As System Director, Michael oversees the EVS teams for 25 hospitals and 275 clinics. Michael has served on the 91��������Advisory Council, Exchange Planning Committee and participated on the CHESP item writing committee for the AHA Certification Center.</p> <p><strong>Jane G Martin, RN, CIC, T-CHEST, T-CSCT</strong><br /> Director, EVS Programs, Geisinger Health, Pittston, PA. Jane is responsible for education and training of staff, oversight of commercial cleaning and pest control contracting, policy management, and industry standards research. Jane has served as an 91��������Subject Matter Expert for development of the Certified Surgical Cleaning Technician program and serves as a reviewer for the 91��������Seal of Review and Recognition.</p> <p><strong>Chris Shirley, MPA</strong><br /> Director Support Services, Utah Health, University of Utah Hospital. Chris has been at Utah Health since 1999 where he has worked for Patient Access Services, Financial Counseling and Bed Control. In addition to Environmental Services, he oversees valet services, hospital gift shop, linen and patient transport. He and his wife Kate have six children, and in his free time he enjoys long distance running and classic film and literature.</p> <p><strong>Scott Thornton, CHESP, T-CHEST, T-CSCT</strong><br /> Regional Director of EVS Operations, TouchPoint Support Services, Driftwood, TX. Scott over 14 years of experience in both contracted and in-house health care environmental services programs. An active 91��������member, he has served as an 91��������Subject Matter Expert for development of the Value-base Product Evaluation & Implementation Program (VPEI), participated on the 91��������Strategic Planning, Conference Planning, Education and Knowledge Committees as well as the Industry Advisory Task Force. Scott is serving his second term on the Advisory Board.</p> <p><strong>Randy Vorland, CHESP, CMIP, T-CHEST</strong><br /> Director, EVS, MercyOne, Northeast Iowa, Waterloo, IA. Randy has nearly 40 years of experience in health care EVS leadership in both acute and long term care. An active 91��������member, he has served on the 91��������Exchange Planning Committee, 2021 Nominating Committee and served as a board member and officer for the Greater Midwest 91��������Chapter.</p> <p>The three year Advisory Board member terms began January 1, 2022</p> <p>###</p> <p><strong>91�������� AHE</strong></p> <p>The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is a professional membership group of the 91��������. 91��������is the organization of choice for professionals responsible for caring for the patient and resident care environment across all care settings; including hospitals, long term care, continuing care retirement communities and ambulatory care. 91��������advances members’ ability to establish and maintain care environments that are free of environmental surface contamination and that support safety, service, and efficient and effective operations. www.ahe.org</p> Fri, 14 Jan 2022 10:20:56 -0600 Press Releases /association-health-care-environment-publishes-health-care-environmental-services-competency-model <header> <p>March 17, 2021 | <strong>Format:</strong> News Release</p> </header> <section> <hr /> <p>The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE), a professional membership group of the 91��������, has developed the first interactive competency model tool for health care environmental services professionals, including technicians, supervisors, managers and directors. </p> <p>These core competencies may be used to create job descriptions, assess performance and guide professional development; self-assess skill levels and training needs and set improvement goals; and determine staff training needs. It should be noted that job titles vary by organizational size, structure, level within a health care system and other organizational attributes. </p> <p>Guidelines were developed for acute care hospitals, but may be used in a variety of health care settings as most of the core competencies have broad applicability. The core competencies were developed using two job task analyses as a starting point. In the second phase of development, subject matter experts determined which competencies should be elevated to the core level. </p> <p>Core competencies for technicians reflect their hands-on everyday responsibilities as well as the knowledge base, principles and practices that should guide technicians in carrying out these responsibilities. Competency areas include cleaning and disinfection, linen handling, infection prevention, waste handling, safety, communication, patient focus and customer service, and emergency preparedness and response. Core competency areas for supervisors, managers and directors include environmental sanitation, textile management, waste management, compliance and administration. Managers and directors also have core competencies related to financial stewardship, and planning, design and construction.</p> <p><br /> For more information on the 91��������EVS Competency Model, please visit <a href="/EVSCompetencyModel">/EVSCompetencyModel</a>. </p> <p class="text-align-center">###</p> <p class="text-align-justify"><br /> <strong>91�������� AHE</strong> <br /> The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is a professional membership group of the 91��������. 91��������is the professional organization of choice for professionals responsible for caring for the patient and resident care environment across all care settings; including hospitals, long term care, continuing care retirement communities and ambulatory care. 91��������shapes professional practice, advances and promotes the profession and promotes awareness for over 2,100 professionals working to ensure a clean and safe health care environment and quality outcomes. www.ahe.org<br />  </p> </section> Tue, 16 Mar 2021 08:59:39 -0500 Press Releases