ACHE Congress on Healthcare Leadership

By: David Gast

My experience at ACHE Congress stands out as one of the most engaging events of this year. As a first year MHA student, I had plenty of questions about ACHE Congress in the weeks leading up to leaving for Chicago. Eager to beat the rush and get our materials for the week, a fellow classmate and I walked to the Hilton Chicago as soon as we arrived on Sunday. While there, we noticed exhibits being set up and fellow Congress attendees arriving, but the extent of the convention’s size only became clear the following morning during the opening session.

Walking into the ballroom packed with a few thousand students and healthcare professionals was impressive, and the keynote speaker did a great job of kicking off the week’s sessions. That night, our two cohorts were able to attend a networking event for students at Congress, where we met students from various graduate programs across the nation. Students from other programs had heard of the size of our program’s delegation at Congress, and some were curious as to how we were able to bring so many students.

From Monday to Wednesday, we attended sessions that were both informative and engaging. These sessions covered a wide range of relevant topics. While I enjoyed all of the sessions I registered for, one of the most meaningful presentations I attended discussed the transition between life as a healthcare student and a healthcare professional. I especially appreciated that each session included hands-on activities and made time available for questions. We capped off our time in Chicago with a reception for alumni, students and other program representatives. We felt this was a valuable opportunity to meet some of the great alumni of the University of Iowa's Department of Health Management and Policy, especially those who were unable to attend events such as the symposium in Iowa City. Congress provided each of us with educational opportunities, and I am looking forward to returning next March.