Adrian Parker, director of business physician development and strategic planning for Jackson North Medical Center, part of Jackson Health System, takes over the reigns as president of the South Florida Healthcare Executive Forum, Inc. (SFHEF). The organization serves as a primary resource for education to local healthcare business professionals, offering quality opportunities for continuing education, supporting learning efforts of membership across the span of their careers.

Previously, Parker has served as president-elect and program chair. This is his fifth year serving on the board of directors for the organization. As a member of SFHEF, Parker says that he has been able to remain connected to the South Florida healthcare market and take advantage of the many continuing education programs that it offers.

“I am also able to develop professionally through targeted programs specific to my career path,” he says. “In addition, membership has enabled me to network with colleagues allowing for valuable relationships to be developed and it’s also positioned me for career opportunities that are not always accessible without an established network. On the personal side, I have been able to form some meaningful friendships as a result of being a member.”

As a program chair, Parker’s goal was to continue supporting the core of its educational program efforts, which is to highlight a variety of relevant healthcare topics important to the South Florida community. That will continue to be one of his goals as he begins his term.

“Educational programming is at the core of what we do and it’s important that we offer continuing education that is relevant to South Florida healthcare professionals,” he says. “Another goal is continuing to promote excellence in healthcare leadership. In 2018, we want to focus on our members and recalibrate how we connect, how we communicate, and how we serve their needs for professional development and continuing education. We simply want to be there to support, develop, and guide their career journey as early, mid and seasoned careerists.”

SFHEF, the local chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), is organized to improve healthcare delivery by providing opportunities for the professional development of its members through educational and social activities. ACHE is an international professional society of more than 30,000 healthcare executives who lead hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations. There are over 900 ACHE members in the South Florida marketplace.

Parker encourages other healthcare professionals to join SFHEF.

“There’s a saying—membership has its privileges,” he says. “Beyond professional development and continuing education, SFHEF has member-only events that requires membership to attend; I believe that this benefit alone is worth being a member. Members have access to expertise, executives, and programming; the feedback in this space has been exceptional.”

Additionally, Parker emphasizes that the numerous networking opportunities for developing business-to-business encounters or simply positioning yourself for a career move is invaluable.

“Many times, those career moves begin at networking events similar to what SFHEF offers,” he says. "As an affiliate of ACHE, members have access to limitless resources that can benefit their career. For students, SFHEF offers scholarship and internship opportunities. We allow students to attend all educational programming free of cost; it’s a great way for students to jumpstart their network and careers.”

SFHEF kicks off 2018 with its annual installation dinner on Thursday, January 25 at Signature Grand in Davie, FL, from 5-8 p.m. The keynote speaker is D. Wayne Brackin, EVP & COO of Baptist Health South Florida.

“We hope to see many members at the event and throughout the year as well,” Parker says.