Message from AHVAP President

Oh, the Places You’ll Go... With Purpose:
Why Belonging Matters in Professional Organizations

"Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!" — Dr. Seuss

Every professional journey begins with possibility—a spark of purpose, a calling, a drive to make a difference. But as any seasoned healthcare professional or value analysis expert knows, success is not just about ambition—it is about connection, growth, and intentional belonging. And one of the most powerful ways to nurture your professional path is through active engagement with your professional organization, AHVAP.

Whether you are a new member or a seasoned leader, belonging to  AHVAP provides a sense of direction. It points you toward resources, relationships, and moments of realignment when the path gets foggy. It affirms that you are not navigating the complex world of healthcare, supply chain, or clinical effectiveness alone. In the words of Dr. Seuss, “You will get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You will get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.” But AHVAP offers a trusted flock.

Why Your AHVAP Membership Matters

Membership is not just a checkbox. It is an investment in shared standards, emerging best practices, collective wisdom, and leaving healthcare better than we found it. Your AHVAP membership is more than a credential or a line on your resume—it is a lifeline. It connects you to a dynamic, mission-driven community of value analysis professionals who understand your challenges, speak your language, and share your passion for improving healthcare through data-driven, patient-focused value analysis product decisions.

In the words of Dr. Seuss, “You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” But with AHVAP, you are not really on your own. You are part of a movement—a community committed to excellence, integrity, and collaboration.

Your membership matters—because you matter. And the work you do is shaping the future of healthcare, one thoughtful value analysis decision at a time.

Attending the National Conference—With Purpose

Then comes the annual pilgrimage, the national conference. More than just a few days of breakout sessions and industry partner booths, this gathering is your professional recharge. But to fully benefit, we must attend with purpose.

Dr. Seuss reminds us, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” That direction becomes more precise and more powerful when it is rooted in a community of practice, guided by shared goals, and refreshed by annual moments of reconnection during our AHVAP National Conference.

Your Journey, Our Collective Impact

In a world of disruption and innovation, belonging to AHVAP is not optional; it is essential. It reminds us of our shared purpose, strengthens our individual skills, and amplifies our collective value analysis or AHVAP impact.

In every profession, we each walk our unique journeys, shaped by our experiences, guided by our mentors, and driven by our passion to improve the lives of others. However, in healthcare, particularly in roles such as value analysis, supply chain leadership, or clinical improvement, the work we do not only impacts our departments; it resonates across entire systems.

Your growth fuels collective progress.

When one member learns how to optimize clinical outcomes while managing costs, that knowledge spreads, and when others discover how to lead change without formal authority, they are empowered to follow. When we gather, we share. When we share, we evolve. And when we grow, our patients, organizations, and future professionals benefit.

Belonging is more than presence—it is participation with purpose.

This is why attending our AHVAP national conference with intention is so powerful. It becomes more than a professional event; it becomes a movement of minds, coming together to innovate, reimagine, and lead. We come as individuals with diverse roles, titles, and experiences, but we leave as a unified force working toward safer care, improved systems, and more resilient practices through the application of value analysis process and principles.

As Dr. Seuss so wisely puts it, “You're off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so... get on your way!”

Together, we are not just building careers, we are building a legacy.

So, as you consider renewing your AHVAP membership or registering for this year’s AHVAP national conference, do it not out of obligation, but with a sense of purpose.

Because the places you will go are brighter, richer, and more meaningful when we go there together.

Sincerely,

Karen Niven, MS, BSN, RN, CVAHP™, FACHDM, FNAP, FAHVAP
President, Board of Directors
AHVAP