Message from AHVAP Executive Director

How Much Do You Really See Yourself as Worth?

Dear AHVAP Members and Partners,

Why Board Certification and Ongoing Education Matter for Healthcare Value Analysis Leaders

Healthcare is a dynamic, ever-changing field where science, technology, and patient expectations continuously evolve. As healthcare value analysis (VA) leaders, our work sits at the intersection of patient safety, clinical outcomes, and financial stewardship. The complexity of our responsibilities requires more than experience alone — it requires a commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and the pursuit of excellence through board certification.

Raising the Bar for Professional Standards

Board certification in healthcare value analysis, such as the Certified Value Analysis Healthcare Professional (CVAHP) credential, signals a mastery of the core competencies required to excel in our field. It demonstrates not only knowledge and expertise, but also a dedication to advancing the profession through adherence to evidence-based practices and ethical decision-making.

Just as clinicians are expected to maintain their licenses and pursue certifications that reflect their specialty knowledge, value analysis leaders must hold themselves to similar standards. The certification process validates that we are not simply applying intuition or tradition to product and technology decisions, but instead relying on a systematic, evidence-based framework that supports both clinical outcomes and financial sustainability.

Why Education and Professional Development Matter

Healthcare is not static. New products, technologies, and treatment modalities are being introduced every day. Accreditation bodies such as The Joint Commission, DNV, and AAAHC emphasize continuous quality improvement and expect healthcare organizations to be up to date with the latest best practices. The same principle applies to us as professionals. If we remain stagnant, we risk making decisions that are outdated, misaligned with current standards, or not in the best interests of patients and providers.

Professional development — whether through formal coursework, attending conferences, participating in webinars, or engaging with peer communities — equips VA leaders with the knowledge and skills to remain relevant. It also strengthens our ability to:

• Critically evaluate new technologies and innovations.
• Align purchasing decisions with clinical evidence and regulatory expectations.
• Facilitate meaningful collaboration across interprofessional teams.
• Demonstrate measurable value to our organizations through improved outcomes and cost savings.

Education isn’t just about adding credentials to your name — it’s about ensuring that every decision you make is informed, defensible, and aligned with the highest standards of patient care.

The Patient’s Expectation

At the heart of value analysis is a responsibility to the patient. Patients may never know the intricacies of how product and technology decisions are made, but they expect that every device, product, or supply used in their care has been thoroughly vetted for safety, quality, and effectiveness.

They trust that we — as value analysis leaders — are competent, current, and committed to evidence-based standards. This expectation mirrors what patients assume about their physicians, nurses, or pharmacists: that they are not only licensed, but actively learning and applying the most up-to-date knowledge available.

By pursuing board certification and furthering our education, we honor that trust. We provide patients with reassurance that behind every product decision stands a professional who is dedicated to ensuring their safety and well-being.

Elevating the Profession

Board certification and ongoing professional development do more than validate individual expertise — they elevate the entire field of healthcare value analysis. They set a benchmark for excellence, create consistency in practice, and strengthen our collective voice when advocating for the role of VA in healthcare transformation.

As more professionals pursue certification, healthcare organizations begin to recognize certified VA leaders as indispensable contributors to clinical and financial outcomes. This recognition not only benefits individual careers but also ensures that our discipline is viewed as a vital part of strategic healthcare leadership.

A Call to Action

The future of healthcare is only growing more complex, with rising costs, increasing patient expectations, and rapid technological innovation. Value analysis leaders must rise to this challenge by committing to a career-long journey of learning, growth, and leadership.

Here are a few steps you can take today:

• Pursue Board Certification: If you have not yet earned your CVAHP credential, consider this the next step in your professional journey. It is a meaningful way to validate your expertise and demonstrate your commitment to excellence.
• Engage in Lifelong Learning: Attend AHVAP conferences, participate in webinars, and stay connected to professional networks that share best practices and emerging trends.
• Mentor and Be Mentored: Growth happens when knowledge is shared. Consider mentoring an early-career professional or seeking guidance from a peer who has walked the path ahead of you.
• Stay Evidence-Based: Ground every product evaluation and decision in the latest available research, guidelines, and clinical standards.
• Reflect on the Patient: Always keep the patient at the center of your decision-making. Their expectation of safe, high-quality care is the reason our profession exists.

Earning board certification and committing to ongoing education is not simply a professional checkbox — it is a promise to patients, colleagues, and the healthcare system at large. It is a statement that we are serious about our work, that we value the trust placed in us, and that we are committed to making decisions based on the best available evidence.

As healthcare value analysis leaders, our influence is profound. We touch every aspect of the care environment, from the products at the bedside to the financial health of the organizations we serve. By pursuing certification and continuous professional development, we ensure that our influence is always grounded in excellence.

The patient expects it. Our profession demands it. And our own growth as leaders depends on it.

Regards,

J. Hudson Garrett Jr., Ph.D., MSN, MPH, MBA, FNP-BC, IP-BC, PLNC, VA-BC, LTC-CIP, CIC, AL-CIP, CPPS, CAE, CAIP, CPHQ, CVAHPTM, ICE-CCP, CPXP, CMRP, CDIPC, FAOM, FACDONA, FAAPM, FAPIC, FNAP, FACHE, FSHEA, FIDSA, FAHVAP
Executive Director and Executive Vice President
Association of Healthcare Value Analysis Professionals (AVHAP)
Chief Credentialing Officer
AHVAP Certification Center
Certified Association Executive