Uniting…Leading…Transforming: this is the focus of the American College Health Association (ACHA). This year, ACHA invites college health leaders to Washington to celebrate the annual meeting. You can join 2,000 colleagues in college health and wellness for a program by and for college health leaders, using this opportunity to join like-minded professionals from across the country to unite, lead, and transform. Registration is now open for the ACHA 2018 Annual Meeting in Washington DC scheduled for May 29 to June 2. If you register by April 9, you’ll enjoy an Early Bird Rate. The last day of pre-registering is set for May 8.
Held in collaboration with the mid-Atlantic College Health Association, the ACHA meeting is a unique opportunity to connect with other college health leaders to improve the health and resilience of today’s college students. Over these five days, you will take part in networking, collaborating, and continuing education with a focus on:
- Advocating for optimal college health through networking and collaboration.
- Creating goals and innovative strategies to ensure a brighter future for college health.
- Forge new ideas to improve the health and wellness of U.S. college campuses.
A Look at the Schedule
At a glance, here’s what you can expect for a schedule as you attend ACHA 2018 in Washington DC.
- Tuesday, May 29: Registration takes place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will also be pre-conference workshops, the ACHA Leaders’ Lunch, and committee meetings.
- Wednesday, May 30: Newcomers’ Orientation, keynote address, educational programming, opening reception in the evening.
- Thursday, May 31: Opening breakfast with exhibitors, exhibit hall, posters, affiliate meetings.
- Friday, June 1: School Spirit Day, Dorosin Memorial Lecture, assembly of representatives.
- Saturday, June 2: Breakfast, Closing Presidential Session.
A full schedule can be found on the ACHA 2018 website. Let’s focus on some of the above noteworthy events.
Dorosin Memorial Lecture: Led by Dr. Andres De Los Reyes, associate professor of psychology and director of clinical training at the University of Maryland at College Park. He is the director of the Comprehensive Assessment and Intervention Program that aims to improve understanding of social anxiety among teens and young adults.
Keynote Address: Dr. Anne Schuchat, MD, is the principal deputy director of the CDC. She has played key roles in CDC emergencies, including the 2009 H1N1 and 2003 SARS outbreaks. She has also worked extensively on meningitis, pneumonia and Ebola vaccine trials in West Africa.
Closing Presidential Session: Jake Olson, blind author, motivational speaker and athlete, has co-written two books about overcoming adversity. He lost his left eye as a baby and his right eye at 12 years old due to retinoblastoma, a cancer of the retina.
Getting Around
Washington DC is easy to traverse, with access to the metro system, plenty of taxis and Ubers, and Capital Bikeshare. To make the most of your trip, make sure you take in some sights while here, such as:
- Smithsonian Museums. They are FREE!
- Eat on U Street for culinary diversity.
- Shop in Georgetown.
- Stroll down National Mall at night.
- View the National Monuments.
- Enjoy a free performance at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage each night at 6 p.m.
About ACHA
The American College Health Association (ACHA) has been linking college health professionals throughout the country and globe since 1920. The result? The formation of a powerful, collaborative networking base that can help guide and support your health services, programs, and professional development. The end game is to advance the health of college students nationwide via advocacy, education and research. Recognized as the voice of expertise in college health, ACHA looks to promote healthy campus communities and students thanks to these values:
- Respect for all
- Student-centered services
- Professional excellence, responsiveness, and ethical practice
- Multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches to health
- Participation of other stakeholders whose sole purpose is to advance health
- Active involvement of students
- Evidence-based practices as a foundation for programs
Medical Healthcare Solutions is your trusted resource for medical billing, with a strong commitment to student health services billing in particular. To learn more about our services or why you should attend ACHA 2018, call us at 800-762-9800 or fill out our online form.