This highly interactive program is designed exclusively for executives and fellows of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) who are ready to elevate their strategic and financial decision-making capabilities through immersive simulation-based learning.
What to Expect:
Delivered over a series of six engaging Zoom sessions, the Applied Strategic Healthcare Leadership Course equips you with critical tools to drive performance in your healthcare organization while earning 12 ACHE continuing professional education credits.
What Makes This Course Unique?
- Simulation-Based Learning: Leverage the industry-leading Healthcare Hero hospital management simulation, used in top-tier MHA and MBA programs globally.
- Team-Based Executive Challenge: Work in teams to manage a virtual hospital, facing real-world challenges and dynamic market forces.
- Experiential Learning: Make executive-level decisions across strategy, operations, and finance in a safe, competitive environment that mirrors the complexities of modern healthcare.
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Facilitated by Experts: Guided by experienced healthcare and simulation facilitators with deep knowledge of executive leadership and health system strategy.
Feedback:
Daan Westra PhD, Healthcare Management Professor, Maastricht University
I absolutely love the simulation. The cohort’s Whatsapp group started buzzing during the practice round phase, and we quickly realized that both participants and instructors loved this teaching approach.
Ultimately, using the simulation makes the learning process fun, almost addictive. It helps bring leadership, strategic and financial concepts to life for both students and experienced practitioners.
Felipe Spinelli DBA, Director of Education, Hospital Albert Einstein
This program helps our current and future executives to understand how strategic decisions made in one functional area impacts all others, as well as the outcomes to the organisation as a whole. This is especially important in the context of hospital management, where we have many people that have transitioned into administrative and leadership positions from clinical roles.
Course Structure:
Session 1 (2 hours): Practice Rounds 1 & 2 + Strategic Primer
- 10 min – Welcome, team formation, simulation orientation (brief and punchy)
- 50 min – Practice Round 1 (deep dive, exploratory round)
- 10 min – Quick debrief
- 30 min – Practice Round 2 (faster, applied learning)
- 20 min – “Strategic Management in Healthcare” (focused lecture on competitive positioning, market forces, and strategy frameworks)
Session 2 (2 hours): Practice Round 3 + Financial Primer + Planning
- 15 min – Practice Round 3 (rapid learning round)
- 15 min – Debrief on cumulative learnings from all 3 practice rounds
- 35 min – “Healthcare Financial Management Essentials” (focus on hospital P&L, KPIs, service line economics)
- 55 min – Team planning session for Live Round 1 (teams prepare strategic and financial approach based on insights)
Session 3 (2 hours): Live Rounds 1 & 2
- 60 min – Live Round 1
- 45 min – Live Round 2
- 15 min – Tactical debrief on early moves (strategy execution, team decision dynamics, early financial impact)
Session 4 (2 hours): Live Rounds 3-5
- 30 min – Live Round 3
- 30 min – Live Round 4
- 40 min – Live Round 5
- Optional: If you want a short 10-min discussion, you could slightly reduce Round 5 to 35 min.
Session 5 (2 hours): Live Rounds 6-8
- 40 min – Live Round 6
- 30 min – Live Round 7
- 30 min – Live Round 8
- 20 min – Optional mini-debrief or let teams share quick reflections ahead of the final session
Session 6 (2 hours): Capstone Debrief + Application to Executive Practice
- 120 min – Deep-dive Debrief Workshop
- Part 1 (60 min): Simulation results review (winners/losers, key metrics, financial outcomes, strategy shifts, decision patterns)
- Part 2 (60 min): “Executive Reflection: Translating Simulation Lessons to Your Organization”Group reflection and personal action planning
- Focus on leadership, strategic decision-making, financial stewardship, and team performance under pressure
Timetable and Key Dates for Next Course
The next course will run weekly over 6 weeks, starting on April 5th.
The program will be delivered on Saturday's via zoom from 11am-1pm Eastern. Invitation to the call will be sent on registration.
Instructional Materials
Good luck!
Throughout the course we are here to help guide you. For any questions you have, please contact us at [email protected]
We really look forward to having you on this course!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is this course designed for?
This program is specifically designed for healthcare executives, ACHE members, and fellows who wish to enhance their strategic, financial, and leadership capabilities through applied learning. It’s also ideal for senior managers preparing for executive roles.
2. How does the Healthcare Hero simulation work?
Healthcare Hero is an interactive, web-based hospital management simulation. Working in teams, you will make key decisions across hospital strategy, operations, and finance, while competing against other teams in a dynamic, simulated healthcare market. No prior simulation experience is required—full guidance will be provided.
3. How much time will I need to commit?
The program consists of 6 x 2-hour Zoom sessions (12 hours total), spread over several weeks. Between sessions, you may wish to review materials or discuss strategies with your team, but no additional time commitment is required.
4. What topics will be covered?
You will explore critical areas such as healthcare strategy, financial management, team leadership, and decision-making under pressure. The course blends applied simulation rounds with lectures on strategic management and financial leadership in healthcare.
5. Will I earn ACHE continuing professional education (CPE) credits?
Yes, this program is eligible for 12 ACHE-approved CPE credits, contributing toward your ongoing professional development.
6. Do I need prior experience with simulations?
No simulation experience is needed. The first sessions include practice rounds and onboarding to help you get comfortable with the platform and decision-making process.
7. How will teams be formed?
Participants will be assigned to teams during the first session to encourage collaboration, peer learning, and networking. Team performance will be key to success in the simulation.
8. What’s included in the course fee?
Your $1,200 USD fee includes access to the Healthcare Hero simulation, live facilitation, course materials, team coaching, and participation in all Zoom sessions.
9. Is there a certificate of completion?
Yes, participants will receive a certificate of completion after finishing the course and simulation rounds. This can be used to demonstrate CPE credits to ACHE.
10. Can I cancel or transfer my registration?
Cancellations are allowed up to 14 days before the course start date for a full refund. Transfers to a future cohort are available subject to availability. Please contact us directly to process cancellations or transfers.