ACHE Central Texas Chapter

03/24/2026

Your goals deserve guidance. Apply to be an ACHE mentee!

Apply here: https://forms.gle/WTtnGEA4svm7CpRGA

03/24/2026

See the impact. Be the mentor.

Apply here: https://achectx.org/mentorship-program/

03/21/2026

Still figuring it out? Apply to be an ACHE Mentee today: https://achectx.org/mentorship-program/

03/19/2026

Mentor Spotlight: A Conversation with Tarra Washington PT, DPT, MBA

We recently asked Tarra Washington, National Senior Director of Inpatient Rehabilitation Services for Ascension, about her experience serving as a mentor, and her reflections were a great reminder of why mentoring matters.

What was most rewarding about being a mentor?

Tarra shared that the most meaningful part was the connection itself.

Meeting a fellow engaged healthcare executive who was eager to learn, exchange experiences, and grow together made the relationship energizing from the start. They began by openly discussing goals and agreeing to hold each other accountable, which set the tone for a purposeful partnership.

Did it take more or less time than you expected?

“I don’t think I ever really thought about the time,” she said. “It was genuinely something I always looked forward to and never felt like a task.”

For Tarra, the experience was shaped by the people in it. While there were regular monthly touchpoints, the real value came from the relationship they built. What started as a formal mentoring connection evolved into a genuine professional relationship that continued beyond the program.

What would you tell others about why they should be a mentor?

Her answer was simple and relatable.

We were all mentees once. We all remember looking up to leaders whose roles, confidence, and career paths we hoped to achieve. And most of us can point to someone who helped us along the way.

“That’s what really drove me to give back in the same way,” Tarra said.

She also noted something many mentors discover. The learning goes both ways. There were perspectives and insights her mentee shared that shaped her thinking, too. “I truly believe we both benefited and learned from each other.”

Experienced leaders carry perspective that cannot be taught in a classroom. Mentoring is one of the most practical ways to pass it forward.

The ACHE Central Texas Mentoring Program is accepting mentor applications now. Apply by the end of March:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbxcgyoXfXnjvguhOowXek-bmfR2bl1lO888BxV66B-mFHEQ/viewform

03/18/2026

We caught up with Howard Garner, Chief Operating Officer of St. David's Surgical Hopsital, to get his take on mentoring.

When asked what was most rewarding about being a mentor, Garner shared:

“The most rewarding part of being a mentor is seeing the mentee grow in confidence, skills, and leadership ability over time. It’s incredibly fulfilling to share experiences and help someone navigate challenges, expand their perspective, and develop professionally.

Watching someone apply ideas from your conversations and gain confidence in their decision-making makes the experience very meaningful. No one makes it on their own, and I can never thank my mentors enough for the role they played in helping me along my journey. Being able to offer that same support to someone else is very rewarding.”

When we asked about the 6 hours of face-to-face time commitment, he said, "It requires a thoughtful commitment, but not necessarily more time than expected. Many of the most valuable mentoring moments came through focused conversations about real-world challenges and career decisions.

I’ve found that simple coffee conversations before the workday begins can be a great way to connect. Informal, productive, and easy to fit into a busy schedule. Even small, consistent check-ins like that can make a meaningful impact.”

We asked, what would you tell others about why they should be a mentor? Garner explained, “I would encourage others to mentor because it’s a powerful way to give back and support the development of others. Mentoring allows experienced leaders to share lessons learned, provide guidance, and help others navigate their professional journey. It’s also mutually beneficial. Mentors often gain new perspectives, reflect on their own leadership experiences, and find it very rewarding to help someone else grow and succeed.”

Experienced healthcare leaders like Howard Garner have perspective that cannot be taught in a classroom. Mentoring is a practical way to invest that experience in the next generation.

The ACHE Central Texas Mentoring Program is accepting mentor applications now. Apply by the end of March: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbxcgyoXfXnjvguhOowXek-bmfR2bl1lO888BxV66B-mFHEQ/viewform

03/10/2026

You've learned a lot along the way! Now, it's time to pay it forward. Be like Christi Nguyen DNP. Apply to be an ACHENTX Mentor!

https://achectx.org/mentorship-program/

03/05/2026

A natural question emerges once you've "made it" in leadership: How do I continue to make a meaningful impact?

Mentoring is one of the most effective answers.

The ACHE Central Texas Mentoring Program offers experienced leaders a structured way to invest in the next generation. Few professional commitments deliver as much long-term value to individuals and to the healthcare ecosystem as intentional mentoring.

As our industry navigates workforce shortages, reimbursement pressure, care model redesign, and rising expectations around access and patient experience, emerging leaders need more than technical skill. They need perspective. They need context that only experience provides.

That is where you come in.

Why Your Experience Matters
Early- and mid-career professionals are leading teams and influencing strategy earlier than ever. They are capable and ambitious, but many are navigating complexity without seasoned counsel.

As a mentor, you provide:
Context for high-stakes decisions
Candid feedback in a confidential setting
Insight into governance and organizational dynamics
Guidance during career inflection points
A sounding board for ideas that cannot be tested internally

You shorten learning curves and help future leaders avoid predictable missteps. In doing so, you strengthen the leadership pipeline.

Mentoring with Intention
Effective mentoring is structured and purposeful. Strong relationships begin with clarity. Mentor and mentee align early on goals such as leadership development, succession planning, career navigation, or expanded scope. Clear objectives create accountability for both parties.

Psychological safety is essential. Conversations must remain confidential and separate from performance evaluation. The mentor’s role is to guide and challenge constructively, not to judge.

Light structure sustains momentum. A defined meeting cadence and periodic check-ins keep the relationship productive without creating unnecessary burden.

What Great Mentors Do
Great mentors ask thoughtful questions. They share lessons from failure as readily as from success. They encourage disciplined thinking rather than offering immediate answers.

You do not need to have every solution. You need curiosity, honesty, and a willingness to invest time.

The Commitment
Our chapter is currently accepting mentor applications.
Mentors must:
Be an active ACHE member at the time of application
Complete six contact hours with an assigned mentee
Be available by phone, email, or in person as appropriate
Facilitate professional growth and discussion of career and healthcare topics
Complete a brief post-program survey

This is a defined, manageable commitment with significant impact.

Healthcare leadership is learned through experience. Mentoring ensures that experience is transferred, not lost.

Apply by the end of March!

Central Texas ACHE 2026 Mentorship Program Central Texas ACHE's mentorship program for builds connections throughout our region, designed for members at any point in their careers. Interested participants are encouraged to apply as either a

02/25/2026

If you are an active member of ACHE and have an hour or two a month, you can be an ACHE mentee!

Apply here: https://forms.gle/WTtnGEA4svm7CpRGA

02/17/2026

Mentoring can provide value to the mentor too!

Consider joining the program for fulfillment, fresh perspective, and growing your capacity as a leader.

Here’s the timeline:
📝 Apply by March 31st
👥 Matching in April
🍕 May 14 4-6p Kick off event in south central Austin
🏫 6 hours of mentoring in-person or virtual
🥤 Oct 15 4-6p Wrap up event in north central Austin

Apply here: https://forms.gle/SqD35ayLUneLS3ER6

Learn more about the program here: https://achectx.org/mentorship-program/.

Questions? Reach out and I’ll be happy to answer them!

02/10/2026

Don't grow alone. Apply for mentorship by March 31st!

Learn more about the program here: https://achectx.org/mentorship-program/

Apply here: https://forms.gle/SqD35ayLUneLS3ER6

02/01/2026

Pay it forward! Apply to become an ACHE mentor by March 31st!

Learn more about the program here: https://achectx.org/mentorship-program/

Apply here: https://forms.gle/SqD35ayLUneLS3ER6

12/04/2024

Sign up now for this year's Central Texas ACHE Chapter holiday banquet in partnership with Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)'s Central Texas Chapter. Set for Dec. 5 from 7p.m. to 9 p.m. Maggiano's in The Domain. https://achectx.org/2024/10/23/2024-holiday-banquet/