Greetings, ASHHRA!

A few months ago, I asked you each to take a minute and think back to early January. I asked what you experienced when you welcomed 2023. Did you feel renewed and energized? Cautiously optimistic? Exhausted? Or maybe a mixture of all of the above? 

Now that we are halfway through the year, I wanted to do another check in. During ASHHRA23 conference, I shared a quick and powerful technique from HeartMath called Heart-Focused Breathing. This is a quick, breath-focused self-regulation technique that increases creativity, improves problem solving and renews energy. (Note: I highly recommend you research HeartMath and consider how you can use this in your life and organization. I have seen the results first hand and the impact is incredible!)  

Lets use this now to slow our heart rate, and quiet our minds.

• Start by getting yourself comfortable. You can close your eyes or keep them open — whatever is most comfortable to you. 
• Now focus your attention in the area of your heart. Imagine your breath is flowing in and out of your heart or chest area, breathing a little slower and deeper than usual.
• Inhale for 5 seconds, exhale for 5 seconds.  
• Please repeat this several times, and see what you notice about yourself.

Now that we are in a more coherent state, I invite you to assess how we’re doing as individuals, as colleagues and as leaders. Healthcare has continued to experience significant challenges, and our healthcare workforce is hurting. Every day, we see or hear about burnout, trauma, workplace violence and the lingering impacts of COVID-19. We see workers across all roles leaving our organizations or even leaving healthcare completely. 

We know that healthcare HR, this special niche we have chosen, is purpose-driven work. We’re privileged to serve our teammates and communities. Increasingly, this includes the responsibility to assess how we can best care for ourselves and model that self-care practice daily. Please take a few moments to consider what you can do to impact this, it starts with each of us! 

Our ASHHRA association continues to focus on your needs and how to best partner and support each of you in the important work you do every day. 

I also encourage you to check out the many opportunities to get involved and give back to ASHHRA. Positions are currently open on the Annual Conference Education Committee (ACEC) and Learning and Education Committee (L&EC). We’re also looking for volunteers for two-year Board of Director terms for New to the Profession, Healthcare Executive, and At-Large. The application period will be closing soon, so if you’re interested, please go to the website right away to apply. You can also submit a Volunteer Interest Form to receive updates about future calls for volunteers.

We know you all have choices in membership associations, thank you for choosing ASHHRA. We are collectively a special group and I am so grateful for each of you and excited to see what we can continue to do together! 

In gratitude, 

Becky Rauen, MA, CHHR, SHRM-SCP
2023 ASHHRA Board President

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