/ en Mon, 21 Oct 2024 00:36:35 -0500 Tue, 22 Aug 23 10:57:13 -0500 /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 Awards & Fellowships /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 Awards & Fellowships /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 Awards & Fellowships /about/awards/phoenix_award <h3>2024 Phoenix Award Winner</h3><div class="row"><div class="col-lg-2"><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-07/Phoenix-Award-2024-Rock-Jensen-Patti-300x300.jpg" alt="Patti Costello presenting the 2024 Phoenix Award to Rock Jensen" width="300" height="301"></div><div class="col-lg-10"><p><strong>Rock D. Jensen</strong><br><strong>Past Board Chairman, Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE)</strong><br><strong>Administrative Director of Support Services, Yuma Regional Medical Center</strong></p><p>91��������is proud to recognize the wonderful contributions of Rock Jensen to the EVS field. Rock's boundless contributions to 91��������and the health care environmental services profession throughout the years falls completely in line with what this award represents: a professional who has made an unselfish, lasting impact on the growth and progress of AHE, the membership and the advancement of the environmental services field.</p><p><em>"Rock embodies deep unwavering passion for both 91��������and the profession. I marveled about how blessed we were to have this person in our midst. Rock is a fantastic listener who leads from behind."</em></p><p><em>*Selected by the 91��������Advisory Board</em></p></div></div> Tue, 15 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0600 Awards & Fellowships /about/awards/heart_of_healthcare <p><br /> <em>2018 Heart of Health Winner - Congratulations, James Carlin of Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ!</em></p> <h1>Heart of Health Care Award</h1> <hr /> <h4>Congratulations to Stephan Vick from Northside Hospital in Atlanta, who will be presented with The 2019 Heart of Health Care award during Exchange annual conference in San Antonio, Texas, August 21-24.</h4> <p>Sponsored by</p> <p><img alt="Kimberly-Clark Professionals logo" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/kimberly-clark180.jpg" /></p> <p>Developed by the Association for the Health Care Environment and Kimberly-Clark Professional, the Heart of Health Care Award recognizes and honors outstanding frontline environmental services technicians making a contribution to support safety initiatives and reduction and prevention of Health care Associated Infections (HAIs).</p> <p><strong>Key characteristics of nominees:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Demonstrates by consistent practice the purpose and importance of diligently cleaning and disinfecting the high-touch objects in patient or resident rooms likely to become contaminated with pathogens capable of causing HAIs.</li> <li>Has been recognized or named for interacting well with patients and patient families and is willing and able to explain why she or he is cleaning specific patient areas.</li> <li>Demonstrates the importance of standard and transmission-based precautions for all patient-based contact in the health care setting by: Having the ability to explain it, and correctly donning and removing PPE</li> <li><span>Nurtures a sense of recognition, pride and accomplishment for the valuable role the Environmental Services department plays in keeping patients or residents safe and infection-free.</span></li> <li>Is respected by other team members and other departments.</li> </ul> <p> </p> Tue, 15 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0600 Awards & Fellowships /about/awards/evs-department-of-the-year-award .field_lead p { font-size:20px; padding-top:50px; } <div><p class="text-align-center"><em><img src="/sites/default/files/2020-05/Tork_think_ahead_logo.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="Tork" width="150" height="119"></em><br><em>Sponsored by Tork</em></p></div><div class="field_lead"><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 achieving a health care organization's mission.</p></div><p>The EVS Department of the Year highlights the outstanding achievements of a cutting-edge environmental services team in maintaining high levels of performance in cleaning, disinfecting, infection prevention, environmental sustainability and stewardship, technology use, patient satisfaction, education, and training in critical areas.</p>2021 EVS Department of the Year Selections</h3> <div></div> <p>250-499 Beds: <strong>Geisinger Community Medical Center</strong> – Pittson, Pa.</p> <div></div> <p>500+ beds: <strong>Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital/Cottage Health </strong>– Santa Barbara, Calif.</p> <div></div> <h3>2021 Honorable Mentions</h3> <p>250-499 beds: <strong>CaroMont Regional Medical Center</strong> – Gastonia, N.C.</p> <div></div> <p>500+ beds: <strong>Sutter Medical Center Sacramento</strong> – Sacramento, Calif.</p> <div></div> <p> </p> <p><a class="btn btn-primary" href="/system/files/media/file/2021/08/AHE_2021_EVSDOY_Award_PressRelease_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank"><strong>Download Press Release</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <strong>Application deadline extended by one week to Friday, June 18</strong></p> <p>The award recognizes and celebrates best practices in cleaning and caring for the environment. It was designed to highlight the outstanding achievements of a leading-edge environmental services team in maintaining high levels of performance in cleaning, disinfecting, infection prevention, environmental sustainability and stewardship, use of technology, patient satisfaction, education, and training in critical areas. Environmental services departments are key contributors to a hospital’s overall success when measuring patient satisfaction, timely patient flow, infection prevention, environmental stewardship and providing a clean, safe health care environment.</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 achieving a health care organization's mission.</p> <p><a class="btn btn-primary btn-lrg" href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KFKF399">Submit Your 2021 Application</a></p> <p><u><strong>Application due June 18, 2021 4:30pm CST</strong></u></p> <p>Winners to be announced, EVS Week, September 12-18, 2021.</p> <h3>General Information</h3> <ul> <li>Candidates may be nominated by an 91��������member or non-member or may nominate themselves</li> <li>The current 91��������Recognition Committee will select award winners based on submitted nominations. The committee may request additional information if needed</li> <li>All submissions become the property of AHE</li> </ul> <h3>Who should apply:</h3> <ul> <li>Data-driven teams and departments demonstrating consistent improvement over baseline metrics and scores</li> <li>Teams that stand above the rest, exceeding performance standards</li> <li>Departments demonstrating high levels of performance, productivity and efficiency</li> </ul> <p>Consider partnering with your organization's marketing department to help create a compelling submission to recognize the EVS team!</p>--> Tue, 15 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0600 Awards & Fellowships