Published: September 23, 2008 10:55 am      

Bill Lance receives health care management credential

Ada — Bill G. Lance, Chickasaw Nation Health System (CNHS) administrator, recently became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), the nation’s leading professional society for health care executives dedicated to improving health care delivery.

“Because health care management ultimately affects the people in our communities, it is critically important to have standard of excellence promoted by a professional organization,” said Thomas C. Dolan, PhD, FACHE, CAE, president and chief executive officer of ACHE. “By becoming an ACHE Fellow and simultaneously earning board certification from ACHE, health care leaders can show that they are committed to providing high-quality service to their patients and community.”

Fellow status represents achievement of the highest standard of professional development. Only 7,500 health care executives hold this distinction.

Obtaining fellow status is a rigorous process in which candidates must fulfill multiple requirements, including passing a comprehensive examination, meeting academic and experiential criteria, earning continuing education credits and demonstrating professional/community involvement. Fellows are also committed to ongoing professional development and undergo recertification every three years.

“It is an honor to recognize Bill Lance for his hard work and dedication,” said Bill Anoatubby, governor of the Chickasaw Nation. “Mr. Lance’s commitment to excellence and constant pursuit to continuously raise standards is vital in helping to create our vision of healthy American Indians through informed choices and excellent health services.”

Lance has served as the administrator for the Chickasaw Nation Health System since 2000. The CNHS is a complex, comprehensive health system including the Ada, Okla. campus consisting of Carl Albert Indian Health Facility and clinics, the Diabetes Care Center and Family Practice Clinic. Additionally, four satellite clinics are located in Ardmore, Durant, Purcell and Tishomingo, Okla.

The CNHS’ clinics provide more than 360,000 visits per year and the hospital maintains an occupancy rate of 60-70%. Other health system facilities and programs under Mr. Lance’s administration include: a substance abuse adult residential treatment center, environmental health services, family wellness centers in Ada, Ardmore and Tishomingo, nutritional services with a farmers’ market program, senior farmers’ market program, food stamp nutrition education program, breastfeeding peer counselor program, multiple Women, Infants and Children program sites, and three food distribution and nutrition centers.

Together with Governor Bill Anoatubby, Lance is also leading the historic building project of the 370,000 square foot Chickasaw Nation Medical Center, located just outside of Ada, Okla. The CNHS operating budget is in excess of $77 million with more than 500 employees.