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Vision and mission
The mission of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) is to advance safe and trusted patient-centered healthcare delivery by promoting proactive and innovative management of organization-wide risk.
The foundation of the ASHRM strategic plan is built upon three strategic goals:
Professional & Leadership Development
To provide education and networking opportunities, and enable the pursuit of collaborative initiatives with other organizations that advance safe and trusted healthcare.
Advocacy
To design and implement a responsive advocacy agenda in support of ASHRM’s vision, mission, and members.
Organizational Development
To ensure sustainability of ASHRM by making it transparent to members and customers through open communication, serving as a financial steward, and ensuring staff effectiveness.
These goals are advanced through a variety of programs, products, and services. The strategic plan recognizes that members contribute to the advancement of the profession in a number of ways. With more than 5,400 members and nearly 50 national and international chapters, ASHRM is continually growing. Our membership includes risk managers, patient safety officers, lawyers, insurance brokers, consultants, nurses and physicians, among others. The diversity of our membership is reflected in a range of training, from college and nursing graduates to doctorates in law and medicine.
Ten ASHRM members serve on the ASHRM Board of Directors, which meets quarterly each year. The ASHRM staff is headed by Executive Director Elizabeth Summy. Each year members participate in dozens of committees and task forces, addressing issues across the risk-management spectrum.
Programs and Services
ASHRM’s professional and leadership development is carried out through a variety of educational programs, publications and services designed to meet the needs of every level of risk management professional.
Educational programs
The ASHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition showcases leading-edge knowledge and innovation in the profession of risk management.
Classroom-based programs, like the Barton Certificate Program in Healthcare Risk Management, the Patient Safety Curriculum, and the CPRHM Preparation Course deliver content for the newest professional or one seeking new updates on risk management principles.
Audio conferences and online education are convenient alternatives to classroom-based study. They meet the needs of the beginning and intermediate professional. Advanced learning opportunities are presented in conference or executive style formats. These include the Patient Safety Leadership Fellowship and programs with other organizations.
Publications and Communications
A number of publications and communication tools are used to support the professional development of ASHRM members. The Risk Management Handbook and the CPHRM Study Guide complement the content taught in the Modules and Exam Preparation Courses while serving as a key resource for the risk management professional.
The Pearls booklets, a series of risk management insights and tips, are important reference guides for the healthcare practitioner and administrator.
The Journal for Healthcare Risk Management is a quarterly peer-reviewed journal featuring case studies, best practices, and research in healthcare risk management. It is often cited as one fo the most popular benefits of membership.
Connecting members with updates on ASHRM happenings is done through the ASHRM Forum newsletter, a bimonthly publication, and e-News, the weekly e-mail newsletter to ASHRM members.
Advocacy
ASHRM’s Advocacy Agenda represents a three-pronged approach focused on patients, the risk management profession, and public policy issues impacting both. The public policy agenda concerns patient safety, medical liability reform, and technology for safe patient care. ASHRM tracks legislation, regulation, and public policy initiatives as they relate to these topics and works to ensure that the risk management perspective is considered. For more information on this year's advocacy agenda and ASHRM's effort to advance the interests of the profession, please visit the Advocacy page.
Certification and Recognition
ASHRM members gain professional recognition through a range of opportunities such as certification and professional recognition programs.
CPHRM
The Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM) is a premier credential based on a sound assessment that verifies a broad-based knowledge of risk management and provides distinction in an increasingly competitive marketplace. The CPHRM program is administered by the American Hospital Association’s Certification Center.
The Certification Center offers resources for those interested in certification, including a self-assessment exam and the the CPHRM Candidate Application and Handbook, which contains eligibility requirements, a content outline, instructions on applying for the examination, an application and more. Download a PDF file or call (913) 541-0400 to request a copy.
Healthcare Risk Management Week
Each year, ASHRM and the profession celebrate National Healthcare Risk Management Week during the third week of June. The week’s theme and educational programming are designed to promote the best interests of the profession, within the healthcare community and beyond.
Fellows
ASHRM recognizes outstanding achievement by awarding the distinction of Fellow of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (FASHRM) and Distinguished Fellow of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (DFASHRM). This professional recognition program was created to promote and formally acknowledge individual achievement of professional excellence in the healthcare risk management field.
Distinguished Service Award
ASHRM also encourages research and innovation in the profession of risk management through its Distinguished Service Award. Learn more about the requirements of the DSA.
Participation
As a volunteer-based organization, ASHRM depends on, and greatly appreciates, contributions of members’ time and expertise to fulfill our mission of “safe and trusted healthcare.”
ASHRM organizes various volunteer opportunities around subject matters relevant to healthcare risk management issues. This allows ASHRM to appoint volunteers to the activities for which they are best suited and to track the diversity of skills and expertise in our membership for future opportunities.
Each ASHRM issues two calls for participation:
1. Call for Participation – Volunteers and Non-Conference Faculty
2. Call for Faculty – Annual Conference only
The Call for Participation is announced in September and assignments for that year’s work teams and task forces are typically made in December. Members can also volunteer any time throughout the year by downloading the Call for Participation from the Calls and Notices page.
Each committee or task force is supported by ASHRM staff, and a member of the Board serves as a liaison between the group and ASHRM leadership to ensure that efforts are advancing the strategic goals of the organization.
Faculty and presenters for ASHRM’s Annual Conference and Exhibition are managed through the Call for Faculty, which is also available on the Calls and Notices page.
Affiliated Chapters
ASHRM has 48 affiliated chapters in 40 states and countries, including three international chapters. For a complete listing of affiliated chapters, including contact information for current presidents and links to chapter web sites, visit the ASHRM Chapter Finder.
Contact ASHRM
ASHRM can be reached through the following ways:
American Society for Healthcare Risk Management
One North Franklin St.
Chicago, IL 60606
Tel. (312) 422-3980
Fax (312) 422-4580
E-mail ashrm@aha.org
For chapter issues, please contact Nancy Neff at (312) 422-3988 or nneff@aha.org.
For continuing education credits, please contact Pamela J. Para at (312) 422-3982 or ppara@aha.org.
Visit the Staff page for an ASHRM staff directory and contact information.
