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By Sally Crocker

Ask successful people what drives them forward and you’re likely to hear “giving back to others” as a key inspiration. Indeed, an important part of making things happen in career and life has to do with not just what’s personal but also with impacting others in a positive way.

HSC’s Dr. Stephan Davis is being recognized this month with a national Distinguished Service Award from the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). The local North Texas ACHE chapter recently presented the award during a virtual membership meeting.

“ACHE of North Texas is dedicated to advancing healthcare management excellence. We fulfill that vision in many ways – and through their volunteer activities, our chapter members play a critical role in helping to strengthen the profession,” said Amanda Thrash, FACHE, ACHE of North Texas Chapter President. “The ACHE Recognition Program: Distinguished Service Award [ache.org] celebrates and shows appreciation for our members’ extensive volunteer involvement, and we are very pleased to extend this award for 2020 to Dr. Davis.”

Dr. Davis is an Assistant Professor with the HSC School of Public Health and Director of the school’s Master of Health Administration (MHA) program. He joined HSC in May 2020. This month he is involved in a variety of HSC Black History Month events and initiatives. Receiving this national award during Black History Month feels especially significant to Dr. Davis.

“Black History Month is a good time to remind ourselves of the potential all of us have to make a difference in the lives of others, both professionally and personally,” he said.

“What Black history has taught us over time, and especially this last year, is to employ our grace, passions, energy, inspirations, voices and talents to lift each other up and help empower others.”

Part of thriving as a Black leader is giving back to your profession by investing in professional organizations, Dr. Davis said.

“We talk about this in our HSC courses,” he said. “Networking and building relationships in healthcare leadership or your chosen profession can make a difference and is also very rewarding. You truly do gain as much as you give.”

During his career, Dr. Davis has engaged in national committee work for ACHE, served as a chapter leader and as a Board member-at-large. He has written newsletter articles and been a resume reviewer for student early careerists. He has presented at the annual Congress on Healthcare Leadership, with his third presentation scheduled virtually for March this year. An ACHE Fellow, he currently chairs the organization’s national LGBTQ committee and soon moves into a new role as a Regent for the organization. A big piece of his ACHE work involves increasing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the healthcare administration profession and in higher education.

He recently helped coordinate two School of Public Health Black History Month events – a virtual panel discussion for students, “Thriving as a Black Leader: Influencing the Future of Health,” on February 22, and “Black at HSC: Past. Present. Future,” on February 24, featuring keynote speaker Daniel Dawes, JD, Executive Director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute, joined by HSC voices representing faculty, staff, students and alumni.

“Being a part of these Black History Month events to inspire students in their own lives and along their career paths means so much to me,” he said. “For all healthcare leaders of the future, especially young Black professionals and those who are underrepresented, there are no limits to what we can do in our careers and to make a difference in the lives of others.”

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