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Connections: December 2025 | Q4 Newsletter

In this issue:

 

Important Chapter Due Dates  

Chapter Annual Report and Awards Application – Due on Feb. 20, 2026 

The American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) Chapter Annual Report and Awards Application is now open! The application can be accessed on the ASHE Chapter Resource Portal.  

As a reminder, the only change to the 2026 Chapter Awards is the addition of Chapter Management Webinar attendance, which Chapters can use to help meet the Chapter Leadership Forum attendance requirement. Access the 2026 Chapter Awards Program Guide to learn more about the awards requirements. 

Questions? Contact Jenny Hull, lead specialist, ASHE governance and chapter relations, at jhull@aha.org or schedule a call. 

 

Chapter Awards Program Vouchers 

The voucher request forms for the 2025 ASHE Chapter Awards are open! Below is important information on how to request vouchers. 

All voucher requests are due on May 31, 2026 (requests submitted after the due date will not be fulfilled): 

The quantity and types of vouchers given per each award status are outlined in the 2025 Chapter Awards Program Guide. 

Contact Jenny Hull at jhull@aha.org with any questions. 

 

2027 Chapter Challenge Commitment Form — Due on April 1, 2026 

The Energy to Care® Chapter Challenge program allows ASHE Chapters to participate in a friendly competition to reduce their energy consumption. Participating in the challenge also is one of the five criteria Chapters must meet to obtain elite status in the Chapter Awards Program. To qualify for elite status in the 2027 Chapter Awards, ASHE Chapters will need to commit and participate in the 2027 Chapter Challenge. The 2027 Chapter Challenge commitment form will open in early 2026 and close on April 1, 2026.  

Chapter Challenge Information  

Questions? Contact Austin Wallace, senior specialist, ASHE sustainability, at awallace@aha.org. 

 

2026 Emerging Regional Leader Award Application — Due on April 1, 2026 

This award recognizes 10 exceptional emerging leaders, one from each ASHE region, for demonstrating exceptional commitment to the field and an interest in developing additional leadership skills. Young professionals and those new to the field who wish to further their careers and advance on their path to becoming leaders should consider applying. Learn more about the Emerging Regional Leader Award. The application will open on Feb. 1. 

Contact Erin Horng, lead specialist, ASHE membership, at echorng@aha.org with any questions. 

 

Access the ASHE Chapter Resource Portal 

The ASHE Chapter Resource Portal is your one-stop shop for all chapter-related resources, tools, form links and other items. Access priority is being given to chapter presidents and support staff. If your Chapter has additional board members who need access, please contact Jenny Hull at jhull@aha.org. We will take these on a case-by-case basis. 

Important for Advocacy and Sustainability Liaisons: The ASHE Regulatory Affairs Team is refreshing the Liaison SharePoint site. Liaisons will receive access to this site soon. This will be where you will access the quarterly call recordings, PowerPoint presentations and any other liaison-related information. More on this coming soon!  

As a reminder, we’ll be removing all chapter-related resource pages from ashe.org by the end of the year. If you do not have access to the portal, contact Jenny Hull at jhull@aha.org.  

 

Sign-up for the 2026 Quarterly Chapter Calls! 

Click on the below links to register for the 2026 Quarterly Chapter Calls: 

 

Register for the 2026 Chapter Power-Up Series 

The Chapter Power-Up Series is designed to empower chapter leaders to successfully manage their Chapters by providing leaders with tips, tools and resources. These sessions also can be used to help fulfill the Chapter Leadership Forum attendance requirement in the 2027 Chapter Awards.  

Register for the 2026 webinars below (topics and speakers will be announced prior to the webinar): 

 

2026 ASHE Awards and Designations Applications — Open on Feb. 1 

ASHE members have a significant impact on the health and safety of patients and to the field of health care facilities management. Through ASHE awards and the Senior and Fellow programs, individuals are recognized for key accomplishments and for their contributions to the field: 

  • Crystal Eagle Leadership Award celebrates one outstanding ASHE member for his or her excellent leadership qualities, innovation and overall contribution to ASHE and/or the field of health care engineering and facilities management.
  • Emerging Regional Leader Award recognizes 10 young or new-to-the-field professionals (one from each region) who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential and commitment to the field.
  • Excellence in Health Care Facility Management Award honors teams that exemplify how facilities managers and care providers join together to optimize the healing environment.
  • Senior and Fellow Programs recognize ASHE members with years of experience in leadership, professionalism, publishing and presenting. 

Award applications will open on Feb. 1, and the deadline to apply is April 1. 

We’re excited to share an important update to the Emerging Regional Leader Award application process. Starting this cycle, nominees must meet two key eligibility requirements: 

  • Have at least two years of chapter membership.
  • Be a current ASHE member (no minimum membership duration required). 

The Emerging Regional Leader Award is designed to elevate individuals who not only make a difference within their Chapter, but who also demonstrate commitment to the shared values, standards and mission of ASHE. By aligning this recognition with ASHE membership, we strengthen the connection between local and national leadership pathways and reinforce the value of being part of a unified professional network. 

 

Energy Management and Sustainability Experts Needed — ASHE Handbook/Education Course SMEs 

Are you a health care facilities energy management and sustainability expert? ASHE needs your help! We are looking for volunteers to serve as subject matter experts (SMEs) for our upcoming HCFM Handbook & Education Series installment on energy management and sustainability. 

This installment will help health care facilities managers learn techniques for optimizing energy management and building sustainability into operations — teaching best practices in energy and water efficiency, running a sustainability program, opportunities for cost savings, commissioning and measuring energy performance with benchmarking.  

SME volunteers must meet the following qualifications to participate: 

  • 3+ years of experience leading a sustainability program in a health care facility.
  • 5+ years overseeing an energy management program for a health care facility.
  • Proven success with policies, procedures and strategies that have reduced energy/water costs and conserved resources in a way that has led to a more sustainable health care facility. 

SMEs will be selected in late December and interviewed by the book’s author starting in January 2026. Total time commitment for the project is 4-5 hours stretched over several months. 

Interested in helping your fellow health care facilities managers grow their energy management and sustainability skills? Please email cdimick@aha.org by the end of the day on Dec. 19, 2025, to volunteer or for more information. 

 

Start planning your 2027 Chapter Programs today! 

ASHE Hosted Programs offer a hassle-free way to bring high-quality education directly to your members — no minimum attendance, no deposits and no Preferred Education Provider application required! With expert faculty, continuing education credits and all materials included, ASHE Chapters enjoy the best rates and biggest savings. 

Availability is based on faculty schedules, so we recommend booking at least 90 days in advance of your desired date. Don’t wait — secure your spot and empower your Chapter with impactful learning experiences in 2027! 

Request your program and dates online or contact Melissa Binotti Heim, ASHE program and conference manager, at mheim@aha.org. 

 

Chapter Resources

  • Chapter Speaker Request form – Chapters can have their ASHE Advisory Board Member, the ASHE President or the ASHE Executive Director present an ASHE update at their event as one of the many benefits of being an ASHE Chapter. Submit a request for an upcoming visit here. 

    Chapters that participated in the Chapter Awards Program may have one professional staff present at any chapter event during the year of their award. Visit the ASHE Chapter Resource Portal to learn more about available topics and speakers. 

  • Chapter Calendar — Your go-to source for all upcoming ASHE due dates, calls and events as well as a space to share your ASHE Chapter’s upcoming events. If you’d like to add your event to the calendar, please submit a Chapter Calendar request.
     
  • Chapter communications and meeting recordings — Missed a quarterly chapter call or can’t find an important chapter communication? All chapter communications, recordings and PowerPoint presentations are saved here.
     
  • Chapter contacts update form — Make sure you and your Chapter are receiving all important ASHE communications! Fill out the contact update form when your chapter’s officers or support staff change, or if you need someone added to the communications distribution list.