Each day, as I walk in to my office from the parking lot, I walk past some tall oak trees that are home for some birds found in our area called Western Kingbirds. You guessed it! I am a birdwatcher complete with binoculars and a goofy hat. These beautiful birds live there because we provide the three things that are essential for a great birding habitat: shelter, food, and water. I bring this up because at ASHHRA we also have three things that are essential for great human resources (HR) learning. They are: the Mentoring Program led by Maureen O’Keefe, SPHR, system vice president, human resources, St. Luke’s Health System, Boise, Idaho; the Learning and Education Committee led by Debbie Rubens, SPHR-CA, director, human resources, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Northern California, Sacramento, Calif.; and the Annual Conference Committee led by Nancy Dinon, vice president, human resources, Orlando Health, Orlando, Fla.

Do you remember when you first started out in HR or when you transitioned from a non-health care position? Sometimes what you need is a pal to help you navigate health care waters, help answer questions, point you in the right direction on all things health care HR. Even if you are an experienced HR administrator from a non-health care industry, the mentoring program provides a buddy who can help you combine your HR skills with those specific to health care. It is a wonderful program currently providing support and resources to 22 mentees. Maureen and the mentors enrolled in this program have done such an outstanding job that we would like to grow this program. If you are interested in joining as a mentor or if you feel that you could use a mentor and would like to sign up as a mentee, please email ASHHRA partner Ursula Pawlowski, HR membership specialist, or call her at 312-422-3720 and she will get you started.

Have you ever attended a webinar sponsored by ASHHRA? There is a whole team of people behind the scenes who plan our webinar education. From selecting the programs and ensuring that they are just in time, to selecting the presenters and monitoring the quality of the education. These men and women work year round to provide the education that keeps us all abreast of health care human resource issues. Debbie’s team includes Karen Faught, MSA, SPHR; Melissa Frederick; Kathy Dudley Helms; Francine Miguel; and Willis E. Tisdale, PHR. Do you have ideas for future programs? Have you enjoyed a program in particular and would like to see more like it? Debbie and her team would love to hear from you. Feel free to call on ASHHRA Liaison Jamie Macander, senior education specialist, and share your ideas.

Last but not least is our ASHHRA Annual Conference Committee led by Nancy. Like the Learning and Education Committee, this group of volunteers also plans our education each year. On the committee are Carol Anderson; Kathy Dudley Helms; Gwen Hill, SPHR; and Joan Rodriguez. They help choose programs, vet presentations, and oversee the schedule. It is through their efforts that we are able to squeeze so much into a few days of being together; we learn, laugh, visit, share stories, we eat (a lot), and we visit our vendors and get lots of goodies. Are you interested in helping out in the future? Would you like to share your thoughts on the conference? Our ASHHRA partner is also Liaison Jamie Macander, and you are welcome to reach out to her with your thoughts or comments.

Like the Western Kingbirds in the trees outside my office, we also need three essential items. For us, they are these great committees who provide a wealth of knowledge and information on health care human resources. I invite you to come to the annual conference and meet Maureen, Debbie, and Nancy. Let them know how much you appreciate the work that they and their committees do for ASHHRA. If you haven’t registered yet, you still have time. Register now! Join us at the ASHHRA Conference! See you in Denver from September 22-25.

Leading People Through Change,

Irma L. Pye, SPHR
ASHHRA 2012 President
Senior Vice President & CHRO
Valley Baptist Health System
Harlingen, Texas