The annual awards presented by the American College of Healthcare Executives recognize accomplished industry leaders at various stages of their careers.
This year's Gold Medal, the ACHE's highest award, goes to Linda Knodel, 61, senior vice president and chief nursing officer for the Mercy health system based in Chesterfield, Mo. She is recognized for her strong advocacy of the nursing profession within her system, as well as nationally and internationally.
Eric Weaver is this year's recipient of the ACHE's Robert S. Hudgens Memorial Award for Young Healthcare Executive of the Year, for distinguished leaders under age 40. Weaver, 39, has led several successful accountable care organizations and has been a strong proponent of the coordinated-care movement. Both executives are profiled in this special section.
Lifetime Service awards go to John Miller Jr., retired longtime CEO of AnMed Health in Anderson, S.C., and to Deborah Rasper, retired administrator of St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood, Ind.
All recipients of this year's ACHE Awards will be feted during the association's annual Congress on Healthcare Leadership set for March 14-17 in Chicago. The theme for this year's gathering is “Leading Well.” Among the prominent speakers will be Michael Leavitt, former Utah governor, former HHS secretary under President George W. Bush, and founder/chairman of Leavitt Partners. His presentation is titled “Making Sense of Weak Signals in the Healthcare Marketplace.”
