As we welcome July, I am delighted to extend a personal invitation to CAHL’s Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony, set for August 22, 2024. This event, which has been a hallmark of our community for over a decade, continues to flourish each year. Last year, we proudly hosted over 175 attendees, and we are eager to see even greater participation this year.
Reflecting on my first experience at this event, I remember feeling quite anxious. Newly settled in California, I was acquainted with only one other person. Early in my career, I feared I might be overlooked. However, those apprehensions quickly faded as I was greeted with warmth and camaraderie. It became evident that everyone was there with a shared purpose: to forge new connections and reconnect with colleagues. Over the years, this event has become a cherished opportunity for me to reunite with peers I have met through various CAHL functions.
The evening is a true celebration, honoring those who have made significant contributions to our profession. Each year, I leave feeling rejuvenated and inspired by the remarkable achievements of our community. In this spirit of recognition, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to all our current and past volunteers and board members. With a thriving membership of over 1,500, CAHL’s success is a testament to their unwavering dedication. I would also like to extend special recognition to our former CAHL Presidents, whose leadership has been instrumental in our growth. We indeed stand on the shoulders of giants:
| Name | CAHL President Term of Office |
| Enrique A. Vitug, FACHE | Apr 2004 – Mar 2007 |
| Delvecchio S. Finley, FACHE | Mar 2007 – Jul 2008 |
| Jerrold A. Maki, FACHE | Jul 2008 – Dec 2009 |
| Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE | 2010 |
| Mark P. Lisa, FACHE | 2011 |
| Sherie C. Hickman, FACHE | 2012 |
| Erick Berry, FACHE | 2013 |
| Gerald F. Birk | 2014 |
| Kate Surman, FACHE | 2015 |
| Baljeet S. Sangha, FACHE | 2016 |
| Laura Hill Temmerman, FACHE | 2017 |
| Toby Marsh, FACHE | 2018 |
| Andrew N. Pete, FACHE | 2019 |
| Kim Brown Sims, FACHE | 2020 |
| Darrielle Ehrheart, FACHE | 2021 |
| Michael A. O’Connell, FACHE | 2022 |
| Kelly Brian Flannery, FACHE | 2023 |
This year’s event is being held in a new location this year at the Four Points Sheraton in Pleasanton, California. The networking starts at 5:00 PM, and the program will start at 6:00 PM. We eagerly anticipate your presence for an evening of celebration, recognition, and professional camaraderie. Let’s continue to build on our shared successes and look forward to an inspiring future together.
