Bristol Health President and CEO Kurt A. Barwis, FACHE, has been elected Governor within the American College of Healthcare Executives. Barwis’ three-year term began in March.
ACHE is an international professional society of more than 48,000 health care executives who lead hospitals, health care systems and other health care organizations. ACHE's mission is to advance its members and healthcare management excellence. ACHE offers its prestigious FACHE credential, signifying board certification in healthcare management.
ACHE is governed by a Board of Governors that serves the usual functions of a board of directors. The Board of Governors appoints the President and Chief Executive Officer of ACHE, who leads the staff organization and serves as a nonvoting member of the board. The Board of Governors sets the strategic direction of ACHE through the strategic plan, annual budget and organization-wide performance objectives as well.
Board certified in healthcare management as an ACHE Fellow, Barwis served as an ACHE Regent for Connecticut from 2016 to 2019, and on the Regents Advisory Council from 2008 to 2016. Before joining Bristol Hospital and Health Care Group Inc in 2006, Barwis served as senior vice president and COO of St. Mary’s Hospital of St. Mary’s County in Leonardtown, Md., from 2003 to 2006.
Barwis is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, a registered lobbyist in Connecticut and was a CPA in Pennsylvania until 1999. In addition to his service to ACHE, he has served as director and CEO Forum Chairman, State of Connecticut, Connecticut Hospital Association, since 2008; as a member of the Finance Committee, Connecticut Hospital Association, since 2007; and as director and chair of the Government Affairs Committee, Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, since 2007.He is a recipient of several ACHE Recognition Program awards, including the Service Award in 2012, the Distinguished Service Award in 2015 and the Exemplary Service Award in 2018.
Barwis received an MBA from La Salle University, Philadelphia, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, where he graduated cum laude.