achi CEO Hayley Studer Appointed President of the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio

achi and the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio are proud to announce that Hayley Studer, CPA, FHFMA has been appointed President of the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio (HCNO), succeeding Pamela Jensen, who is retiring after two years of impactful leadership. This transition marks an exciting chapter in HCNO’s history, as Hayley brings a wealth of experience, passion, and vision to the role.

Since 1972, HCNO has been dedicated to improving the health of Northwest Ohio’s communities through advocacy, collaboration, and impactful initiatives. As a member-driven regional hospital association, HCNO represents and advocates for its member hospitals and health systems while coordinating critical programs such as the Northwest Ohio Pathways HUB, disaster preparedness efforts, and community health assessments.

Pamela Jensen’s tenure at HCNO has been marked by unwavering dedication to the organization’s mission, fostering partnerships that have transformed healthcare delivery in the region. Under her guidance, HCNO has made significant strides in addressing social determinants of health, advancing care coordination, and improving disaster preparedness.

Jensen said, “I am honored to have been able to work with the excellent team at the Hospital Council, to stabilize operations and to evaluate the current environment and offer guidance on the future direction.”

In her new role as President, Hayley Studer will build on the foundation of excellence established by Jensen, leveraging her extensive background in healthcare leadership and her deep commitment to addressing social drivers of health. As CEO of achi, Studer has championed initiatives that create healthier communities through cross-sector collaboration and innovative approaches to address systemic challenges.

"HCNO has been a vital force in advancing the health and well-being of Northwest Ohio for over 50 years," said Studer. "I am honored to take on this role and continue the remarkable work Pam and the team have accomplished. Together with our healthcare institutions and expanded community partnerships, we will drive progress, foster collaboration, and enhance the health of our communities."

Under Hayley’s leadership, HCNO is poised to strengthen its community impact, with a focus on initiatives such as:

• Northwest Ohio Pathways HUB: Coordinating regional care and training community health workers to address critical social needs.

• Disaster Preparedness: Managing the Northwest Ohio Healthcare Emergency Management Coalition to ensure readiness and resilience.

• Community Health Assessments and Data Analytics: Collaborating with communities across Ohio and beyond to plan, evaluate, and improve public health strategies.

Studer will continue her role as CEO of achi, working to merge the two organizations’ efforts and create a new operating model to build healthier communities by addressing social drivers of health, and aligning healthcare payment systems and funding sources with sustainable, value-based outcomes. The organization’s innovative strategies align with HCNO’s mission, making this new chapter an exciting opportunity for transformative regional collaboration.

About achi:achi (pronounced uh-kai) proactively engages people and resources to advance cost-effective, quality human care for all individuals and communities. Through innovative partnerships, cross-sector collaboration, and creative solutions, we equip organizations across multiple industries to educate the people they serve and connect them with resources to improve their lives from the ground up. By partnering with health systems, educational institutions, and corporations, achi empowers lasting transformation in individual lives— resulting in an overall healthier population and data to transform our healthcare payment models. To learn more about achi and its mission, visit www.achisolutions.com.

About HCNO:The Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio (HCNO) is a member-driven regional hospital association that represents and advocates on behalf of its member hospitals and health systems. HCNO also provides collaborative opportunities for its members and community partners to improve the health and well-being of Northwest Ohio’s residents. To learn more about HCNO and its mission, visit hcno.org.

Caching Memories Program Published in International Journal of Ageing and Longevity

We’re thrilled to share that our paper, Enhancing Intergenerational Connections: Exploring the Benefits for Older Adults and College Students in a Telephonic Reassurance Program, has been published in the Journal of Ageing and Longevity!

This research highlights how intergenerational programming can combat loneliness among older adults while fostering personal growth and purpose in college students—bridging generational gaps and building stronger communities.

We’re proud to contribute to this global conversation on aging and well-being with our Caching Memories program.

🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dzVgGZDN

About achi

achi(pronounced uh-kai) proactively engages people and resources to advance cost-effective, quality human care for all individuals and communities. Through innovative partnerships, cross-sector collaboration, and creative solutions, we equip organizations across multiple industries to educate the people they serve and connect them with resources to improve their lives from the ground up. By partnering with health systems, educational institutions, and corporations, achi empowers lasting transformation in individual lives— resulting in an overall healthier population and data to transform our healthcare payment models. To learn more about achi and its mission, visit www.achisolutions.com.

achi Launches GapQuest, a Roadmap for Student Success

Today marks a significant collaboration as achi introduces GapQuest, a groundbreaking program aimed at removing barriers for students and guiding recent high school graduates on transformative pathways toward a sustainable life.

The founders, Hayley Kempton Studer (achi) and Melanie Kempton (GapQuest), are sisters who discovered a unique connection between their professional experiences.

“Hayley and I took different paths after college: she in the healthcare/finance realm, and me in the education/family law world,” shared Kempton, Executive Director, GapQuest. “We both spent decades learning the challenges these institutions face and eventually migrated separately into the world of entrepreneurship. We both see the need for innovative solutions to institutional problems and are excited to be bringing our respective diverse backgrounds together at achi. We both believe in a human-centered approach to transforming lives and we're looking forward to joining forces to meet the challenges we are both passionate about.”

Kempton’s passion for education stems from a long career in public education as well as her experience homeschooling and launching her own sons into adulthood. She recognizes the need for more real-world, hands-on, immersive practice with the skills needed to be successful in work, home, and community life. GapQuest seeks to provide an innovative space between high school and adulthood that builds bridges to independence, competence, and connection.

GapQuest is a new “gap year program” located in Northwest Ohio that allows graduates, ages 18-20, the chance to live, work, learn, and play together while gaining valuable tools to navigate adulthood. The pilot year group will launch in the fall of 2024.

“As Melanie and I began discussing GapQuest, we realized the strong alignment on our goals and methods,” said Studer, founder and CEO of achi. “Understanding someone’s story, identifying barriers, and creating innovative holistic pathways for success is at the core of what we both do. Being able to bring achi’s connection to local resources to support the GapQuest students’ growth is a natural fit.”

One key objective of the collaborative program is to introduce recent high school graduates to "opportunity occupations," jobs that offer above-median wages and are accessible without a traditional 4-year degree. GapQuest participants will be immersed in a variety of entry-level career paths in the Toledo area, ranked #1 in the nation for opportunity occupations by the Federal Reserve. The program will expose participants to non-traditional routes to in-demand careers, including credentials, certificate programs, and industry certification pathways, often available at no cost to learners.

According to Studer, “Being able to offer GapQuest through achi allows us to expand our services and branch into a program that addresses education, social connection, and workforce development – three social drivers that impact the overall well-being of a community.” This strategic partnership marks a significant step forward in the quest for innovative solutions to societal challenges, as achi and GapQuest pave the way for a brighter, healthier future.

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About achi

achi(pronounced uh-kai) proactively engages people and resources to advance cost-effective, quality human care for all individuals and communities. Through innovative partnerships, cross-sector collaboration, and creative solutions, we equip organizations across multiple industries to educate the people they serve and connect them with resources to improve their lives from the ground up. By partnering with health systems, educational institutions, and corporations, achi empowers lasting transformation in individual lives— resulting in an overall healthier population and data to transform our healthcare payment models. To learn more about achi and its mission, visit www.achisolutions.com.

About GapQuest

GapQuest is a holistic, residential "Gap Year Experience" designed for recent high school graduates, ages 18-20, located in Northwest Ohio. The program exists to offer young adults an alternative navigational tool to create a roadmap for success. The GapQuest experience is led by our unique "GPS" system – Guidance, Professional Development, and Social Networking. Participants gain valuable, paid work experience while engaging in real-life budgeting and financial management as well as practical lessons in sharing household duties with roommates, growing friendships, building a professional network, and exploring all that Northwest Ohio has to offer young professionals. To learn more, visit https://gapquest.org/.