September 22, 2009 — Kenneth Cochran, RN, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer of Cibola General Hospital, received the American College of Healthcare Executives Early Career Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award on Friday, September 18, at the New Mexico Healthcare Manager’s Forum Annual Meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“I am honored to receive this award from ACHE, an organization that shares my commitment to excellence in healthcare leadership,” said Cochran. “During my nearly involvement with ACHE, I have worked to help advance ACHE’s objectives, and I appreciate this recognition from my peers and colleagues.”

The award was bestowed on Cochran by Howard J. Gershon, FACHE, ACHE’s Regent for New Mexico, District 4. The Early Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award recognizes ACHE affiliates who have significantly contributed toward the advancement of healthcare management excellence and the achievement of the goals of ACHE.

Affiliates are evaluated on leadership ability, innovative and creative management, executive capability in developing their own organization and promoting its growth and stature in the community, participation in local, state, or provincial hospital and health association activities, participation in civic/community activities and projects, and participation in ACHE activities and interest in assisting ACHE in achieving its objectives.

Mr. Cochran has participated as a member of the New Mexico Healthcare Manager’s Forum since he assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Cibola General Hospital and relocated to New Mexico in 2008. Mr. Cochran is board certified in healthcare management and holds the FACHE status in the American College of Healthcare Executives, demonstrating a commitment to professional excellence. Additionally, he is currently involved with the New Mexico Hospital Association, the American Hospital Association Section for Small and Rural Hospitals Governing Council, Grants/Milan Chamber of Commerce Grants Chapter of the Rotary International Club, and the New Mexico EMS Advisory Council.

Cochran received his B.S. in Nursing from Troy State University in 1998, a Masters of Business Administration from California State University in 2004.

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About the American College of Healthcare Executives

The American College of Healthcare Executives is an international professional society of 30,000 healthcare executives who lead our nation’s hospitals, healthcare systems, and other healthcare organizations. ACHE is known for its prestigious credentialing and educational programs and its annual Congress on Healthcare Leadership, which draws more than 4,000 participants each year. ACHE is also known for its journal, the Journal of Healthcare Management, and magazine, Healthcare Executive, as well as ground-breaking research and career development and public policy programs. ACHE’s publishing division, Health Administration Press, is one of the largest publishers of books and journals on all aspects of health services management in addition to textbooks for use in college and university courses. Through such efforts, ACHE works toward its goal of being the premier professional society for healthcare leaders by providing exceptional value to its affiliates.