Blogs

Elevating Patient Satisfaction: Celebrating Alaska Native Medical Center’s Transition to Self-Operated Foodservice!

By Christin Swingle posted 9 days ago
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The Association for Healthcare Foodservice is delighted to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) for their successful transition to self-operated foodservice! Recognizing the importance of patient satisfaction and customer care, The Alaska Native Health Consortium (ANTHC) has taken the helm of Food and Nutrition Services at ANMC Cafeteria and Patient Housing Café, effective May 1. This move reflects ANTHC's commitment to providing the gold standard in healthcare foodservice, directly catering to the needs of patients, visitors, and staff. By managing operations in-house, ANTHC and ANMC is poised to enhance the dining ...
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AHF Members Transform Hospital Cafeterias into Hubs of Sustainability: Spotlight on UC San Diego Health

By Christin Swingle posted 15 days ago
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At UC San Diego Health, Jill Martin and Rodney Fry lead a remarkable initiative that transcends traditional healthcare foodservice boundaries. Rodney, Executive Chef at UC San Diego Health, views food as a form of healing, crafting menus rich in locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. Alongside Jill, Director of Food and Nutritional Services, they've developed and implemented a program that diverts unused food from landfills to local organizations in need, benefitting both the community and the environment. This innovative approach has resulted in the donation of nearly 7,000 pounds of food since 2023, showcasing their dedication to sustainability. But their ...
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Innovative Solutions in Action: A Month in Review with AHF's Online Member Community

By Christin Swingle posted 17 days ago
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April proved to be a bustling month for operators, filled with special events, holidays, and celebrations. Amidst the whirlwind of activity, the AHF online member community provided a space for members to come together in search of solutions, camaraderie, and support. Join us as we reflect on the bustling month gone by, celebrating the collaborative spirit that defines our community. Seeking Information and Sharing Expertise: Members sought advice and shared knowledge on a myriad of topics, from sourcing specialized dietary products to refining patient survey methodologies. Collaboration thrived as individuals pooled their expertise to address common ...
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From Burnout to Brilliance:  Preparing for Transformation at AHF National Conference in San Antonio, August 23-24th

By Christin Swingle posted 17 days ago
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The 2024 AHF National Conference offers self-operated foodservice professionals an unparalleled opportunity to address the unique challenges of healthcare foodservice, senior dining and hospitality. With a focus on innovative solutions, Conference provides actionable strategies to enhance the dining experience, increase patient satisfaction, and streamline operational efficiencies. Featuring keynote sessions such as "Fill Your Cup: Emotional Wellness for Exhausted Leaders" and "Unlocking the Power of Time," attendees will gain practical insights to reclaim control of their time, alleviate stress, and prevent burnout. Moreover, main stage sessions explore ...
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Celebrating the Backbone of Excellence: Our Volunteer Leaders

By Christin Swingle posted 29 days ago
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Within healthcare and senior living, one often overlooked yet vital department is Food and Nutrition Services (FANS). Behind the scenes, a dedicated group of individuals works tirelessly to ensure that patients, residents, colleagues, staff, and visitors receive nourishment that is not only sustenance for the body but also a source of comfort, care, and healing. As we celebrate National Volunteer Month and Volunteer Recognition Day, we would like to shine a spotlight on these unsung heroes who go a step further and serve as volunteer leaders, advancing quality and care in healthcare foodservice. Within The Association for Healthcare Foodservice, there are ...
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Turn your Conference Experience into a San Antonio Adventure

By Christin Swingle posted 04-16-2024
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For those of you who are planning to join us this August 23-25th in San Antonio, why not plan to extend your stay a day or two and turn your trip into a memorable vacation by exploring all that San Antonio has to offer? From historic landmarks to thrilling attractions and cultural events, San Antonio is the perfect destination for a vacation, for continuing to build your professional network outside the Conference hall, or for simply rejuvenating so that you can return to your operations completely refreshed. Connect with Like-Minded Members Don’t wait until August to start the adventure, head over to the AHF Online Member Community and start ...
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Congratulations AHF Member Dave Reeves – IFMA Silver Plate Award Recipient

By Christin Swingle posted 03-12-2024
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AHF would like to congratulate AHF past-president, David Reeves, MBA, System Director, Food and Nutrition Services at Lee Health on his remarkable achievement of being awarded the prestigious 2024 Silver Plate Award by the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) for healthcare. “Since 1954, IFMA has recognized extraordinary operator executives with the IFMA Silver Plate Award . Winners are chosen from a slate of industry nominees by a distinguished jury of trade press editors and previous award winners.” Dave is a dedicated member of AHF and has served as a mentor to numerous emerging leaders within the self-operated healthcare foodservice ...
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Fostering Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Insights from Our Online Member Community

By Christin Swingle posted 03-04-2024
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AHF is a diverse community of leaders within the noncommercial foodservice industry with a breadth of experience spanning the spectrum of self-operated healthcare, senior dining and hospitality. The online member community provides a space for our members to engage directly with other industry leaders for advice, guidance, and mentorship to find solutions to complex problems faced by operators in the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare foodservice. Over the last month, several topics have been trending in the community with members offering their experience and support… Call Center Efficiency and Room Service Optimization with AI: Within a large ...
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AHF Releases 2023 State of the Industry Report: A Comprehensive Look into Healthcare and Senior Dining Foodservice & Hospitality over the Last Year

By Christin Swingle posted 02-29-2024
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AHF is thrilled to announce the release of the 2023 State of the Industry Report (STIR). STIR offers a comprehensive analysis of the ever-evolving landscape of foodservice and hospitality in healthcare and senior dining provided by industry leaders based on data gathered from the 2023 industry survey. AHF’s annual report is a critical tool for operator and business partner members alike to benchmark and gain high level insight into the industry. As with past reports, this year’s survey focuses on the operator experience. With labor challenges continuing to be a significant concern for many operators, the report delves into the operator’s day-to-day as they ...
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Charting the Course for the Future: Your 2024 AHF Board of Directors and Industry Advisory Board Meet in Dallas

By Christin Swingle posted 02-28-2024
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Your 2024 AHF Board of Directors (BOD) and Industry Advisory Board (IAB) recently gathered in Dallas for our annual in-person meeting. Over two days, under the leadership of AHF President Leisa Bryant, IAB Chair Danielle Mason, and Executive Director Leah Reily, volunteer leaders collaboratively charted the course for the future of our Association. This important in-person meeting, that brings together the BOD and IAB, provides the opportunity for AHF leaders to come together for two days of focused collaborative strategizing for the future of our Association for the benefit of our members. It also provides the opportunity to reconnect with returning board members ...
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Celebrating Diversity in Healthcare Foodservice: Black History Month 2024

By Christin Swingle posted 02-28-2024
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As we wrap up Black History Month, let us continue to reflect on the profound impact of Black Americans throughout history. February has been a time for reflection and celebration, highlighting the vibrant tapestry of Black-American/African-American culture. In our healthcare foodservice and senior dining industry, it's essential to authentically recognize the contributions of our diverse staff and the customers they serve. The AHF Community has embraced this call to action, going beyond mere recognition to amplify voices, share stories, and foster understanding. Throughout this month, our feeds have been filled with posts honoring the spirit of Black History ...
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AHF Seeks Nominations for 2025 Board of Directors

By Leah Reily posted 02-20-2024
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AHF is seeking nominations from operator members for the 2025 Board of Directors and Leadership Development Committee until March 5th for leadership positions beginning January 1, 2025. AHF board, or leadership, service is an exciting career step and a great way to give back to the self-operated industry. AHF prides itself on leading the way in self-operated healthcare, senior dining, and hospitality. Members like you make that a reality. You are the key to ensuring the continued success and stewardship of AHF, its strategic goals, and its members. Nominees are being accepted for the following positions: President-elect Treasurer-elect Secretary ...
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AHF Unveils a Bold New Look: Leading the Way in Self-Operated Healthcare, Senior Dining & Hospitality!

By Leah Reily posted 02-05-2024
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We are thrilled to announce the launch of our bold new logo as part of our comprehensive brand refresh. This strategic move coincides with our organization’s fifteenth year anniversary; solidifying our commitment to staying at the forefront of self-operated healthcare foodservice and senior dining while meeting the evolving needs of our valued members and partners. Leading the Way in Self-Operated Healthcare, Senior Dining & Hospitality… AHF's brand evolution involves more than just a logo; it's a holistic transformation aimed at redefining our place in the non-commercial foodservice space. The new logo is not just a visual identity but a powerful ...
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In Remembrance of Lisa Yeung

By Leah Reily posted 01-25-2024
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It is with profound sadness that we share the heart-breaking news of the passing of Lisa Yeung, AHF Member and Leader. Lisa was at the height of her career and leadership journey and consistently demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the industry and left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing and working with her. Lisa was an inspirational leader within our industry, receiving many awards and accolades recognizing her dedication to those she served, her passion for the self-operated healthcare foodservice industry, and her vision. In her role as Director of Food and Nutrition Services at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, Lisa provided ...
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The Pulse of Patient and Resident Care: Trending Topics from Our Member Community

By Christin Swingle posted 01-23-2024
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In the fast-paced world of healthcare, staying connected and informed is crucial. Over the past month, our online member community has been buzzing with discussions on various topics, reflecting the commitment of our community members. Let's take a closer look at the latest activities and conversation topics that have been shaping our discussions. Internal Temperature of Patient Food on Nursing Units - Regulatory Requirement: In response to heightened scrutiny from Department of Health (DOH) inspectors, our community is addressing a crucial regulatory demand—internal food temperature checks on patient units. This, however, raises concerns about product ...
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Winter 2024 SO Connected Available Now: "Equitable Sustainability: Charting a Path to Diversity, Equity, and Operational Efficiency"

By Christin Swingle posted 01-05-2024
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The latest issue of SO Connected , Equitable Sustainability: Charting a Path to Diversity, Equity, and Operational Efficiency , is now available! Packed with insightful articles, the digital version is now available for our members online, while the print issue is set to arrive in mailboxes next week. Download Now >>> Feature Articles: "AHF Leads the Way to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging by Listening and Learning" Dive into our feature article where we explore the transformative journey of fostering DEIB within our community. Explore how members are not merely addressing these challenges but actively leading the way by embracing ...
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So, Where Does My Cash Revenue Go?

By Hillary Hutchins posted 12-20-2023
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AHF members are in healthcare organizations, which in essence means we are in business to provide meals and services to our patients and residents! It is true that ultimately that is the reason our departments exist. However, it is certainly not the only thing we do nor is that the only service driving our expenses. As there are nuances to every facility in our AHF benchmarking group, almost all have some component of patient meals, CASH revenue and transfers. What the cost net of cash per patient/resident day metric shows is the total of all facility expenses MINUS any cash revenue generated in the facility divided by patient/resident days. As facilities are ...
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Best Practices and Actionable Insights on Reducing Waste

By Hillary Hutchins posted 12-14-2023
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An overview of AHF’s December webinar with JPS Health and their journey to reduce waste while increasing patient satisfaction from the 70th to the 90 th percentile. The pandemic threw healthcare systems a curveball, and JPS Health Network's Nutrition Services team was no exception. As things began to get back to “normal” again this year, the team at JPS focused on increasing their patient satisfaction, which in turn has also reduced both food waste and financial waste. During this month’s webinar, JPS Health Network’s Neal Lavender, Executive Director of Food and Nutrition Services, Meradith Harris, Assistant Director of Clinical Nutrition and Patient ...
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Recognizing Excellence: AHF Members Shine on Forbes’ Best Employers by State List

By Christin Swingle posted 12-07-2023
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60+ AHF Members featured on Forbes’ Best Employers list! In the healthcare and senior living industry where commitment to both patient and resident care is top priority, Forbes’ recently released “America’s Best Employers by State” shows that care extends to employees as well with a large number of hospitals and health systems making the list, including over 60 members of The Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF). Staffing Challenges Persist As the industry and AHF members continue to struggle with staffing challenges, this article and the Forbes list demonstrate the remarkable success of self-operated facilities in enhancing employee ...
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Monthly Digest: Unveiling Noteworthy Discussions and Collaborative Insights within Our Online Member Community

By Christin Swingle posted 11-30-2023
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Join the Conversation: Engage, Learn, and Contribute! Throughout the previous month, our online members' community has been filled with insightful discussions spanning diverse topics within the healthcare and foodservice sectors. Members have consistently demonstrated active engagement by sharing experiences and seeking advice on pivotal issues. Infection Prevention with High Heat Dishwashers: Join the discussion on regulatory requirements for infection prevention and the adequacy of high heat dishwashers in healthcare settings, particularly for killing bacteria and viruses. Going Cashless in Retail Operations: Another active discussion centered ...
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