Behind the Scenes of Our Leadership Journey at ACHE Congress

At Colorado Plastic Surgery Center, we believe that achieving the ultimate patient partnership through exceptional outcomes in patient care begins long before you step into a surgical suite. It starts with leadership—deep, values-driven, evidence-based leadership. That’s why our Chief Operating Officer, Stephanie Cooper, MBA, MHA, and our Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Director, Neal “Jon” Alexander, MBA, BSN,  recently attended the 2025 American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Congress in Houston. With more than 7,000 attendees from across the nation, this annual event is one of the premier gatherings for healthcare executives committed to advancing quality, safety, and innovation.

Our attendance was more than a professional milestone—it was an investment in the continuous improvement that defines our practice. Read on to discover how the insights gained at ACHE Congress are shaping our work, deepening our leadership approach, and enhancing the care we provide every day.

Why We Attended: A Commitment to Leadership and Lifelong Learning

As members of the ACHE Rocky Mountain Chapter actively pursuing Fellowship status (FACHE), Stephanie and Jon are dedicated to ongoing education, ethical leadership, and improvement at every level. The ACHE Congress offers an unmatched opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research, national policy insights, and best practices in healthcare delivery, operations, and strategy.

Colorado Plastic Surgery Center knows that staying current on healthcare trends and management principles directly translates to higher quality care, smoother patient experiences, and stronger clinical outcomes. We attended sessions on topics such as:

• Team dynamics: Strengthening communication, collaboration, and leadership within clinical teams.
• Practice sustainability: Developing strategies for long-term organizational health and resilience.
• Surgical innovation: Staying ahead of advancements that improve safety, efficiency, and outcomes.

Among the most impactful sessions were those focused on aligning clinical care, operational efficiency, and organizational culture, such as:

• Shaping the Future: Integrating Clinical Excellence, Operational Efficiency and Strategic Workforce Development: Explored how unifying strategy across departments can sustain long-term performance and resilience.
• The Blueprint for Performance Excellence: Alignment, Accountability and Transformation: Offered models for promoting cross-functional collaboration and fostering unified, goal-driven teams.
• Collaborative Strategies: Aligning Medical Staff With Organizational Goals: Emphasized the importance of engagement and alignment between leadership and front-line clinicians.
• Finding the "Signal in the Noise": How Professionalism Tunes Into Patient Safety: Addressed how to navigate complexity while upholding professionalism and prioritizing safety.
• Activating Change and Reinvigorating Culture: Provided actionable frameworks for evolving organizational culture with clarity and accountability.

Key Lessons in Healthcare Leadership from ACHE

ACHE Congress opened with a keynote from none other than Brené Brown, the bestselling author and researcher known for her work on vulnerability, leadership, and courage. Her speech offered powerful insights into the emotional dynamics of leadership in high-stakes healthcare environments.

She emphasized the importance of emotional intelligence and humility in leadership, and challenged attendees to embrace a "learner" mindset rather than a "knower" mindset—rewarding curiosity, humility, and a willingness to explore the unknown. She also spoke about the need for leaders to find balance between thoughtfulness and responsiveness—slowing things down when necessary while still leading with clarity and purpose.

Throughout the three-day event, Stephanie and Jon also explored innovations in ambulatory surgery center management, how to foster resilience in healthcare teams, and strategies for aligning clinical outcomes with operational excellence. These conversations reinforced many of the core values we live by—like putting others first, embracing  the journey of continuous improvement, and committing to excellence in every detail.

How It Benefits Our Patients

While the ACHE Congress might sound far removed from aesthetic surgery, the truth is that leadership matters at every level of a healthcare practice. The ideas that Stephanie and Jon brought home are already influencing our dedication to partnering with patients, how we train our team, manage our surgical processes, and enhance our patient communication.

From the moment you contact our office to your final follow-up, you’ll experience the difference that values-led leadership makes:

• Genuine support: A team that listens, cares, and advocates for your needs.
• Efficient systems: Streamlined communication, scheduling, and care coordination.
• Personalized care: Treatment plans that reflect your goals, preferences, and values.

Our Ongoing Commitment to Professional Excellence

As proud members of the American College of Healthcare Executives and candidates for Fellowship (FACHE), our practice leaders are committed to continually elevating the standard of care we deliver. Events like ACHE Congress help us stay immersed in the culture of innovation, collaboration, and ethical leadership that defines great healthcare—not just good surgery.

We’re honored to bring these lessons back to Colorado Plastic Surgery Center and to each person who walks through our doors.

Ready To Experience Leadership-Driven Care?

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Nick Slenkovich, Denver’s double-board-certified plastic surgeon, and experience the elevated care that comes from a team committed to growth, innovation, and your personal best.