As we settle into a new calendar year at SSH, I have found myself thinking a lot about momentum. How it builds. How it is sustained. And how it shows up when people are truly aligned around a shared purpose.
In Aaron Calhoun’s February President’s message, there is a clear call to move forward with confidence. Not confidence for its own sake, but confidence rooted in experience, clarity, and collective commitment. After spending time together at IMSH with our Board and Volunteer Leadership, I can say with certainty that this confidence is earned.
Our Board continues to do important, disciplined work as it carries out the strategic plan, keeping one eye on today’s realities and the other firmly focused on the future. What stood out to me during IMSH was not just the substance of the discussions, but the tone. The conversations were thoughtful, candid, and collaborative. There was a shared understanding that leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about asking the right questions and staying focused on what will best serve our members and the field.
That same spirit was evident across our SSH Committees, Affinity Groups, Sections, Special Interest Groups, and Councils. The meetings held during IMSH were energetic with volunteers bringing forward ideas, challenges, and opportunities with openness and respect. These were not checkbox meetings. They were working sessions, with people listening closely to one another, building on ideas, and finding connections across areas of work.
What excites me most is how connected this work feels.
Our groups are not operating in isolation. Board priorities are informed by volunteer insight. The strategic plan is not sitting on a shelf. It is actively shaping decisions and conversations. That level of alignment does not happen by accident, and it speaks volumes about the people who give their time and expertise to SSH.
As we move forward into the year ahead, I feel genuinely inspired by what is taking shape. There is strong leadership at the Board level, meaningful engagement across all of SSH, and a shared belief that what we do together matters. I am grateful for the dedication behind that work, and excited for what we will accomplish next.
Jennifer Manos, RN, MSN, MBA, FSSH
SSH Executive Director