December 2015 Presidential Newsletter

It’s been a few months since we have been able to send out a newsletter. That's because we've been incredibly busy implementing the new organizational structure; developing the associated policies and procedures to align with the new structure; and engaging and supporting our affiliate organizations and their respective events! I, alongside president-elect Chad Epps, past-president Pam Jeffries, treasurer Don Combs, board members Jayne Smitten, Debra Nestel, Joe Lopreiato, and our executive staff Jenn Manos, Kevin Helm, and Andrea Maxwell, spent much of the late summer and autumn participating in several conferences including SimHealth, GNSH, NPSF, ASPE, IITSEC, and others. It’s been exciting to learn about the work and achievements of our colleagues from around the world, and to promote the SSH values of community building as a global endeavor. For me, this is what sets our Society apart; we value and support our affiliates and partner organizations in their discipline-specific or geographic uniqueness, while facilitating a meeting place for everyone to collaborate, convene and create together through SSH sponsored and co-hosted events or our virtual programs. More about these activities are presented below.

We've also been working diligently on identifying best practices for our new organizational structure with the guidance of a professional organizational governance consultant. Thank you to all of those who participated in the surveying and focus groups that were implemented as part of this process. The governance consultant analyzed these data and provided us with a report and recommendations. The board of directors and committee chairs will work to incorporate the results during a retreat prior to IMSH this month. I am excited to see this final phase of our organizational transition enacted under the leadership of our incoming president, Chad Epps. He has worked closely with our governance consultant and our board of directors to assure the best possible outcomes for us and it will be my honor to support him as he assumes the primary leadership role during this final phase of growth management.

Under the leadership of our executive director, we have designed and developed a formal marketing and communications identity, including logos and collateral management systems that are more reflective of the professional society we’ve become. Thank you to everyone who participated in the process of selecting our logos for our sponsored meetings, and especially to Jenn Manos for leading this effort and Denise Gavilan for developing the designs to meet our needs. I hope you will agree that the designs reflect our broad and visionary community while maintaining the core of the Society’s mission.

The Board of Directors has continued to work diligently and comprehensively during this transitional year to assure that we stay true to our strategic plan, mission, and best practices for professional societies. Although the BOD meets monthly via phone conference, we held our final face-to-face meeting during November, during which time we began the transition to our incoming leadership. Part of that process was managing an unanticipated need to appoint a relatively large number (6) of directors to the board for 2016. This was due to a confluence of factors including the election of sitting board members to officer positions, the resignation of one board member due to assumption of a role deemed to have conflict of interest concerns, and the termination of previously appointed positions for prior board resignations occurring simultaneously. For context, we typically have one board appointment per year, with an occasional need for a second appointment if a current member is unable to serve out his or her term. Our current Bylaws as approved by the membership allocate the responsibility for board appointments to the president elect, Chad Epps. However, after discussing the situation Dr. Epps requested that the Board of Directors nominate and vote on five of the appointments to serve out the vacated director positions. The Board of Directors also approved a plan of intention to move all board positions to elected roles in the future, apart from a single one-year appointment and a representative from corporate council to be elected by the council. The details of this plan will be worked out during the above mentioned governance retreat later this month and will, of course, be shared with the membership for comments and approval next year. I want to applaud Dr. Epps and the Board of Directors, as well as our executive director Jenn Manos for their strong leadership in managing this unexpected challenge while staying true to our goal of providing more direct participation and leadership opportunities for all of our members.

It’s been an exciting year for SSH and it has been my privilege to lead the Society through the major changes that will ensure our sustainability and long-term value to the global community of healthcare simulation. I’ve been extremely fortunate to serve with our insightful and deliberate board of directors, our amazing executive team and staff and, perhaps most of all, alongside our incredible members – you! You have made your voices clear throughout the year and I have been both humbled and encouraged by your willingness to speak up and share your desires for how SSH can better serve your professional aims.

We had unprecedented participation in our elections during 2015, with 1,145 members making their voices heard about the underpinnings of our Society (bylaws) and a 16 percent increase in officer/director elections turnout. New memberships have increased by 128 percent; membership renewals have increased by 385 percent; and returned memberships have increased by 163 percent. As a result, we have seen a significant increase in overall membership compared to last year at this time, as well as in IMSH registrations and vendor participation. All of this tells us that we are going in the right direction and that adapting to the needs of our community is paramount to our long-term success.

Your willingness to contribute your time and energy to make our Society the strong, inclusive, and a positive place it is for all interested in healthcare simulation - no matter the discipline, background, or geographic location – is what sets SSH apart. We feature a few more of these members in this edition of the newsletter and I’ll look forward to seeing more in future issues.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to get to know you and look forward to continuing to serve our community in the role of past-president during 2016. It will be exciting to see Dr. Epps solidify our governance practices and support Dr. Christine Park as she assumes an officer role after her valued contributions as both committee chair and board of director member. We are in excellent hands!

Thank you for the privilege and pleasure of being your president during 2015!

Pamela Andreatta, PhD, EdD, MFA, MA, CHSE
SSH President 2015