Karl E. Sundberg, Chief Executive Officer of South Lincoln Medical Center in Kemmerer, recently became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the nation’s leading professional society for healthcare leaders.

Sundberg took over as CEO of South Lincoln Medical Center in January. Since then, SLMC has opened an urgent care facility, updated its physical therapy rooms and hired two new physician assistants for the urgent care.

“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.”

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.

Sundberg is privileged to use the FACHE credential, which signifies board certification in healthcare management and ACHE Fellow status.