Scripps CEO wins ACHE Gold Medal Award for significant contributions to health care field

Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder will be honored by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) with a Gold Medal Award at the opening session of the ACHE's 57th Congress on Healthcare Leadership in Chicago on March 24. Van Gorder, a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), will be recognized for his significant contributions to the health care field on behalf of a health care delivery organization.

"ACHE is delighted to honor Chris Van Gorder in this way," said Deborah J. Bowen, FACHE and Certified Association Executive, president and CEO of the American College of Healthcare Executives. "He is a role model to all, exemplifying the principles of outstanding leadership while providing exceptional service to his patients, organization, community and the profession."

Van Gorder was selected for the award based on the strength of his nomination and his active leadership role with ACHE, as well as his contributions and achievements in leadership and executive performance; health services and patient care delivery; professional development; management and organizational development; and health services activities.

The Gold Medal Award is ACHE's highest honor bestowed on outstanding leaders. The purpose of this award is to identify Fellows of the American College of Healthcare Executives who best exemplify leadership at the organizational, local, state/provincial and national levels. The Gold Medal Award recognizes individuals who go beyond the confines of their own organization to continually contribute to the improvement of health care services and community health.

"To be recognized with the Gold Medal Award from an organization as prestigious as the American College of Healthcare Executives is truly an honor," said Van Gorder. "This outstanding group of leaders has made great strides to further the goals of health care institutions across the United States, and I am proud to be a part of that mission."

Van Gorder served on the ACHE Board of Governors from 2006 to 2008 and as chairman-elect, chairman and immediate past chairman of the Board of Governors from 2009 to 2012. Currently, he is a member of ACHE's Counselors Committee. In addition, Van Gorder continues to serve the public as a reserve commander in the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Search and Rescue Unit, where he is the Search and Rescue commander. He is also a licensed emergency medical technician and instructor for the American Red Cross. In March 2006, California's governor appointed Van Gorder to the California Commission on Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), where he served two terms.