Sharon, PA (July 1, 2016) - Amy C. Smith, DNP, RN, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer, Sharon Regional Medical Center in Sharon, PA, recently became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the nation’s leading professional society for healthcare leaders.

“The healthcare management field plays a vital role in providing high-quality care to the people in our communities, which makes having a standard of excellence promoted by a professional organization critically important,” says Deborah J. Bowen, FACHE, CAE, president and chief executive officer of ACHE. “By becoming an ACHE Fellow and earning the distinction of board certification from ACHE, healthcare leaders demonstrate a commitment to excellence in serving their patients and the community.”

Smith received her BSN degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA and her MSN from Gannon University in Erie, PA and her DNP from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition to her recent FACHE certification, Smith is certified as an Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Advanced Nurse Executive, and Health & Wellness Nurse Coach. She is both a licensed registered nurse and advanced practice nurse.

Prior to her current role as COO, Smith has held several key positions within Sharon Regional Medical Center, including interim CEO and chief quality officer. Throughout her career, Smith served in leadership positions as the vice president for care management and market director of case management for ValleyCare Health System of Ohio. She began her professional nursing career at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh as a transplant nurse, and held positions as emergency room staff nurse, clinical nurse specialist, clinical coordinator of cardiac catheterization / special procedures, director of Sharon’s Cancer Care Center, and director of outcomes management.

Fellow status represents achievement of the highest standard of professional development. In fact, only 9,100 healthcare executives hold this distinction. To obtain Fellow status, candidates must fulfill multiple requirements, including passing a comprehensive examination, meeting academic and experiential criteria, earning continuing education credits and demonstrating professional/community involvement. Fellows are also committed to ongoing professional development and undergo recertification every three years.

About The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) 
The American College of Healthcare Executives is an international professional society of 40,000 healthcare executives who lead hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations. ACHE's mission is to advance our members and healthcare management excellence. ACHE offers its prestigious FACHE® credential, signifying board certification in healthcare management. ACHE's established network of 80 chapters provides access to networking, education and career development at the local level. For more information regarding the FACHE credential, contact the ACHE Division of Membership at (312) 424-9400 or [email protected], or visit the Credentialing area of ache.org.

About Sharon Regional Medical Center
Sharon Regional Medical Center has provided health care services to the region for more than 120 years. Mercer County’s largest hospital and healthcare system consists of a 251-bed Joint Commission accredited hospital, along with 22 satellite centers in Sharon, Hermitage, Mercer, New Castle, and Hubbard. Sharon Regional offers specialized services including Behavioral Health, Breast Care, Cancer Care, Diabetes, Emergency Care with specialized stroke and heart attack care, Mercer County’s only certified chest pain center, primary stroke center, open heart/angioplasty/ heart care institute, Sleep Medicine, Sports Medicine, Inpatient Rehabilitation, School of Nursing, School of Radiography, Women’s Center and Wound Recovery & Hyperbaric Medicine.