Michael Austin of Brainerd, FACHE, Director of Pharmacy at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby, 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 CEO 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.”

A pharmacist at the hospital since 2005, Austin earned his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree at the University of Minnesota. He also holds a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from The College of St. Scholastica. Austin and his wife, Julie, a Central Lakes College professor, have four children.

Fellow status represents achievement of the highest standard of professional development. Only 8,866 healthcare executives hold this distinction. To obtain Fellow status, candidates must fulfil multiple requirements, including meeting academic and experiential criteria, earning continuing education hours, demonstrating professional/community involvement, and passing a comprehensive examination. Fellows also are committed to ongoing professional development and undergo recertification every three years.

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