In this issue

Winter Newsletter 2025 Print

President's Quarterly Message

Dear National Capital Healthcare Executives (NCHE) Members and Friends, 

 NCHE has been my local chapter for the past 20 years. From being a student who once sat quietly in the back corner at NCHE events to serving as Director of Marketing & Communications, Vice President, and ultimately President, this journey has been far beyond anything I could have imagined. I am deeply honored and profoundly grateful for these experiences. 

 As I conclude my third and final year as President, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the trust, support, collaboration, and encouragement you have shown me throughout this remarkable journey. Serving in this role has been one of the greatest honors of my life. 

 To my dedicated leadership team and our Regent: thank you for your unwavering support, wisdom, and tireless commitment. Together, we navigated challenges, celebrated successes, and advanced initiatives that strengthened our mission and impact. Your passion and professionalism have been essential to our progress. I am also deeply honored to have received the Regent’s Senior Executive Award—a recognition I share with the entire NCHE community. 

 To all NCHE members: thank you for your friendship, engagement, ideas, and steadfast belief in our chapter. Your contributions have shaped our direction and inspired me every single day. It has been a privilege to serve such a dynamic and committed community. 

 As I step aside, I do so with great confidence in the future of NCHE. It is my pleasure to congratulate our incoming elected board officers: 

• President: Aparna Gupta, FACHE, DNP, EMBA, CPHQ, CRNP, ANP-BC 

• President-Elect: James Ramsey, CMA, EMBA, MA, MS 

• Secretary: Amy Smiley, FACHE, MBA, MSW 

• Treasurer: Karan Kaushal, MHA, CSSGB, CSM 

I strongly believe NCHE is in excellent hands with these officers, supported by our exceptional team of directors and co-directors. 

 Thank you so much again for the opportunity to serve. Reflecting on this journey, I am deeply grateful to our leadership team, volunteers, partners, sponsors, and all NCHE members for your dedication to advancing the healthcare industry and strengthening our community. It has been an honor to be part of this remarkable organization. 

 For those who have asked what’s next, I will remain on the Board and serve as Immediate Past President for the next two years. Beyond that, I will always be a proud supporter of NCHE and the vital work we do together. 

 Here’s to a prosperous new year! 

 With deep gratitude and respect, 

Bank 

 Varintorn (Bank) Aramvareekul, FACHE, CPEL, MHSA, MBA, DPLA, RPh, CPHIMS, CPHQ, CSSGB, PMP, SHIMSS 

NCHE President (2023-2025) 

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Call for NCHE Sponsors!

National Capital Healthcare Executives (NCHE) connects senior leaders, innovators, and emerging professionals across the DMV. Here’s your opportunity to showcase your organization, build meaningful connections, and support the next generation of healthcare leaders as an event sponsor or long-term partner.
Sponsoring NCHE events and initiatives gives your organization direct access to top healthcare decision-makers, visibility at signature events, and alignment with innovation, thought leadership, and professional development across the region.
Interested? Please email us at [email protected] to explore opportunities and get involved.

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Volunteer Update

NCHE Members,

As we reflect on the past quarter, we are proud to celebrate the many ways the Volunteer/Community Service Committee engaged with our local communities. 

From addressing food insecurity and educational needs to promoting wellness and warmth, this season was full of meaningful service — made possible by YOU.
 So What Exactly Did We Do?
1. NCHE Adopted a FRESH Fridge!  
In September, NCHE partnered with Roots for Life to adopt the FRESH Fridge at 300 V Street NW — a vital community resource near public housing, a senior center, and Howard University.
During our adoption week, members of our network helped keep the fridge stocked with fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs, and shelf-stable pantry items. Thanks to your generosity, neighbors facing food insecurity had access to safe, nourishing food.
2. Back-to-School Drive: 200+ Items Donated!
Ahead of the new school year, NCHE organized a successful Back-to-School Drive for Belmont Elementary School in Woodbridge, VA.
Because of your donations, we collected over 200 school supplies — from notebooks to glue sticks — helping local students start the academic year with confidence and the tools they need to succeed.
Your contributions sent a powerful message: we believe in the potential of our future leaders. Thank you for showing up for our youth!
3.  21-Days of Mindfulness & Movement Challenge: Completed!
Over the summer, NCHE hosted its first-ever 21-Days of Mindfulness & Movement Challenge — and it was a huge success!
- 16 participants  
- 2,848,482 total points earned  
- Activities included walking, yoga, cardio dance, meditation, swimming, strength training, and more!
Shoutouts:  
• Lindsey Umlauf led with 599,461 points  
• Aaron Abreu followed closely with 449,327 points
Participants tracked their progress via the Count.It app and manual submissions, committing daily to physical and mental well-being. The energy, camaraderie, and dedication shown throughout the challenge were truly inspiring.
4. One Warm Coat Drive Partnership: 87 Coats Collected! 
To close out the year, NCHE partnered with One Warm Coat for a December Coat Drive, helping ensure community members stayed warm during the colder months.
Thanks to your generosity, we collected 87 coats that will directly support individuals and families in need. This effort was a powerful reminder that small acts — like donating a coat — can make a big difference during winter.

 

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to NCHE’s mission. Through your donations, participation, and outreach, you have helped uplift our communities and create meaningful, lasting impact. As we prepare for the new year, we’re excited to build on this momentum and look forward to continuing this important work together. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to get involved as we strive to make an even greater difference in the months ahead.

Dr. Kionna D. Myles, DHA, MBA, MPH, FACHE, PMP, CLSSGB, CSM, Director, Volunteers 

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Programs Update

NCHE Programs 2025: Celebrating an Education-Packed Year

What a year dedicated to lifelong learning in the pursuit of healthcare leadership excellence. NCHE is proudly closing the year having delivered over 1,000 ACHE education credits across nine different engagements. From leadership fundamentals to leveraging advanced analytics to embodying operational and patient experience excellence, our programs addressed both the foundational competencies and emerging challenges shaping today’s healthcare environment. To our members, our sincerest gratitude. Your strong participation drove this success, and we look forward to continuing to build high-quality offerings that meet your educational needs in the year to come.

Thank You Partners! A core mission of NCHE is to provide up to 12 ACHE In-Person Credits annually to support advancement and recertification of our membership. In 2025, we maxed out our offerings with several events being free or minimal cost for our members. This is only possible thanks to our amazing partnering organizations for whom we are immensely grateful for:

· George Washington University

· George Mason University Rising Healthcare Leaders at Mason (RHLM)

· Inova Healthcare Young Professional Exchange (HYPE)

· SEI Consulting

· Georgetown University

Thank you Speakers! In addition to our partners, the quality of our programs was made possible thanks to the 37 talented and brave healthcare leaders who volunteered their time to be moderators and panelists. We are truly thankful for your dedication to our events and greater contribution of knowledge to our membership. Please join us in celebrating our moderators and panelists for Calendar Year 2025!

Gunay Abbasova Robin Adams Tanya Alteras

Saira Aslam Amanda Barash Jeff Barnes

Dedraf Blash Jerry Bozek John Budd

O. Ben Carroll II Alex Caruth Josh Cherrix

Anthony Coleman Bridget Cronin Stephan Davis

Sakshi Faulks Leonard Friedman Peyton Fry

Aparna Gupta Heather Hunn Christopher King

John Kirk Marque Macon Laura Madarasz

Eric Miller Bianca Nguyen Andrew Obelgoner

Daniel O’Donnell Deneen Richmond Heather Russell

Sameh Saleh John Sharpe Kenny Sroan

Raben Talvo Michelle Vasallo Debra Ward-Lund

JC Zark

As we close out 2025, we do so with pride in what this community has accomplished together. NCHE’s programming success is a direct reflection of a membership that values growth, collaboration, and leadership in service of healthcare excellence. With continued engagement from our members, partners, and speakers, we are well positioned to build on this momentum in the year ahead. Thank you for being part of NCHE’s mission, and we look forward to learning alongside you in 2026.

Get Involved with NCHE Programs

NCHE’s educational programming is strongest when it reflects the voices, expertise, and interests of our members. As we plan future events, we invite you to get involved and help shape what’s next while also earning ACHE-eligible credits and volunteer hours that support advancement and recertification.

Join Our Speaker Community! Interested in being a moderator or panelist for one of our events? We plan on hosting several in-person and virtual events in the upcoming year, which means we are creating more opportunities for you to contribute to our membership (and earn ACHE service credit points). If you are a mid-career or higher and would like to participate, please reach out to either Stefanie Johnson ([email protected]) or Amanda Harrison ([email protected])

Stefanie Johnson, MBA, FACHE, Director of Programs

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Lifelong Learning in the Healthcare Industry

Healthcare never stands still. New treatments are introduced, guidelines are updated, and technology continues to reshape how care is delivered. Because of this, learning cannot stop once a degree is earned. For healthcare professionals, staying current is part of the responsibility that comes with caring for others. What worked years ago may no longer be considered best practice today, and keeping up with new research and standards helps ensure patients receive safe, effective care.

Lifelong learning also keeps healthcare professionals engaged and adaptable. It encourages curiosity, reflection, and a willingness to grow from experience. Whether it’s attending workshops, reading new research, collaborating with colleagues, or simply learning from day-to-day patient interactions, ongoing education strengthens both confidence and competence. At its core, a commitment to lifelong learning shows dedication. Not only pertaining to professional growth, but to providing the best possible care for every patient.

Karan Kaushal, MHA, CSSGB, CSM, Treasurer

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