AHE Announces Speaker Lineup for EXCHANGE 2013 Conference

Jul. 10, 2013

Source: Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE)

Bailey, Brecher, Costello, May, Ridenhour, Sweeney, Garrone, Paturas and Thiss featured

June 26, 2013 -- Chicago, June 26, 2013 - The Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) of the American Hospital Association today announced its lineup of keynote speakers and general sessions at EXCHANGE 2013 being held September 15-18 in Indianapolis, Ind.

The lineup of speakers includes:
Simon T. Bailey, founder, Brilliance Institute, a world-renowned speaker, thought leader, and best-selling author believes that it is the responsibility of each person to unlock the true brilliance that is buried deep within. Experience gleaned in leadership roles with organizations like the Walt Disney Company helped him foster an in-depth understanding of the formidable challenges, pressures and risks that organizations face. Bailey has addressed globally-recognized organizations such as CNN, Microsoft, McDonald’s, Nationwide, University of Phoenix and the Society for Human Resource Management. Bailey has been recognized by Speaker magazine as one of the Top 25 Hot Speakers and was named Speaker of the Year by Meeting Professionals International.

Bailey will deliver the keynote address “Own the Moment – How to Become a Brilliant Leader” on Monday, September 16.

Stephen M. Brecher, Ph.D., Director of Microbiology, VA Boston Health Care System, holds academic appointments at the Boston University School of Medicine, Northeastern University and at University of Massachusetts/Darthmouth. Brecher is a highly acclaimed international speaker who covers many topics, but his preferred topics are C. difficile infections and antibiotic resistance. Brecher is well known and appreciated for his ability to make audiences laugh while explaining that bacteria are the dominant species on the earth.

Dr. Brecher will speak on Monday, September 16; his session is titled, “From Tragedy to Triumph to Trepidation: Antibiotics at Age 70.”

Colleen Sweeney, R.N., founder and owner of Sweeney Healthcare Enterprises, conceived and conducted the Patient Empathy Project^SM, which resulted in the development of the Patient Experience Pyramid^SM, a tool for healthcare teams to uncover and respond to patient fears. Sweeney’s most recent position was as director of Ambassador and Customer Services at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind. A member of the National Speakers Association and a certified facilitator with the Tom Peters Company, Sweeney holds degrees in nursing and business, and a master’s certificate in project management.

Sweeney will present “What Patients Fear and Why We Have to Know” on Wednesday morning, September 18.

New this year to EXCHANGE are presentations by Patti Costello, executive director, AHE;Greg May, CHESP, director of environmental services, Linen and Sustainability Initiatives, UC San Diego Health System; and Christopher Ridenhour, director, Core Competency Training, Liberty Lutheran, Ambler, Pa.

The three talks, titled “Manage-Up,” “An Open Letter to the CEO” and “Advanced Empathy for the Tired, Grizzled, Bitter and Everyone Else Headed in that Direction,” will be presented Tuesday morning, September 17.

AHE will close the 2013 conference on Wednesday afternoon with the panel discussion entitled, “Earth, Wind and Fire: Can you ever really be prepared?” Panelists include: Larry Garrone, CHESP, director, Services Response/Environmental Services/Patient Transport and Linen, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston; James Paturas, LP, CEM, CBCP, FACCP, director, Emergency Preparedness, Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response, Yale New Haven Health Center, Conn.; and Wes Thiss, CHESP, administrative director, Support Services, Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital, Richmond, Va.

EXCHANGE is an annual educational event attended by approximately 900 professionals with an interest in caring for healthcare environments. The conference brings together environmental services, infection prevention, facilities, textile, design and many other healthcare professionals to learn from and share with each other, make valuable business connections and lead change in the field of environmental services, which includes surface disinfection, environmental hygiene and infection prevention.