LOCAL EXECUTIVE EARNS TOP HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT CREDENTIAL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 7, 2026
Media Inquiries: Brooke Russell | 985.801.6212 | info@avala.com
Covington, Louisiana – AVALA proudly announces that Jomel Whittington, MHA, FACHE, President of the AVALA Physician Network, has earned the prestigious designation of Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the nation’s leading professional society for healthcare leaders. This achievement further strengthens AVALA’s senior leadership team and underscores the organization’s commitment to excellence in healthcare management and patient care.
“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.”
Fellow status represents the highest standard of professional development in healthcare leadership. As of January 1, 2025, only 8,697 healthcare executives nationwide hold the FACHE distinction, placing Whittington among an elite group of leaders recognized for their expertise, integrity, and dedication to the field.
To achieve Fellow status, candidates must meet rigorous requirements, including academic and professional experience benchmarks, peer references, ongoing continuing education, community and professional involvement, and successful completion of a comprehensive examination. Fellows are also committed to lifelong learning and must recertify every three years.
“Earning the FACHE credential is both a personal honor and a reflection of the exceptional organization I’m proud to serve,” said Jomel Whittington, MHA, FACHE, President of the AVALA Physician Network. “At AVALA, we are deeply focused on advancing high-quality, physician-led care, and this recognition reinforces our leadership team’s commitment to continuous improvement for our patients, physicians, and community.”
Whittington is privileged to bear the FACHE® credential, which signifies board certification in healthcare management and further enhances AVALA’s reputation for strong, forward-thinking leadership.
For more information regarding the FACHE credential, please contact ACHE Customer Service at (312) 424-9400, email contact@ache.org, or visit ache.org/FACHE.
