April 14—The American Society for Healthcare Food Service Administrators (ASHFSA) and Healthcare Foodservice Management (HFM) have merged to form one consolidated professional society called the Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF). The consolidation was unanimously approved by both associations' board of directors.
"AHF will work toward its mission of advancing healthcare foodservice professionals by assuring food and nutrition is a core competency, with a vision for self-operated healthcare foodservice operations to be recognized as industry best practice," stated a press release announcing the consolidation.
"The boards of directors from both groups unanimously agreed that a consolidation into one, single strong association will best serve the needs of today's healthcare foodservice leaders, prepare the next generation, and ensure long-term growth and viability for our industry," said HFM President Bruce Thomas, associate vice president-guest services at Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa.
Existing AHSFSA and HFM members who meet membership eligibility guidelines will automatically become members of AHF as of Aug. 1.
A joint membership forum will be held April 28, to review the consolidation plans and answer questions.
HFM President-Elect Kris Schroeder, administrative director of support services at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, has been appointed president of AHF. ASHFSA's president-elect, Denisa Cate, director of food and nutrition services at Henry County Medical Center in Paris, Tenn., has been appointed president-elect.