Jackson Healthcare, ACHE Forge Alliance to Reshape Leadership

ATLANTA, GA – February 26, 2026 – In a significant move to address the escalating pressures on the U.S. healthcare system, workforce solutions giant Jackson Healthcare has become a Premier Corporate Partner of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). This strategic collaboration aims to fortify the leadership backbone of the industry, equipping executives to navigate an era defined by profound challenges and rapid transformation.

The partnership unites one of the nation's largest healthcare staffing and technology firms with the preeminent professional society for healthcare administrators, which boasts a membership of approximately 53,000 executives. The initiative signals a deliberate effort to move beyond reactive problem-solving and proactively build a more resilient and innovative healthcare ecosystem from the top down.

Beyond Staffing: A Strategic Leap into Leadership Development

This alliance marks a pivotal evolution in Jackson Healthcare's market strategy, extending its influence far beyond its core business of talent and workforce solutions. By attaining the exclusive "Premier Corporate Partner" status with ACHE, the company is positioning itself not merely as a vendor of staffing services but as a foundational partner in the long-term strategic development of the entire healthcare sector. This designation is reserved for organizations demonstrating a profound commitment to supporting leadership excellence and advancing high-quality, patient-centered care.

In a highly competitive market with players like AMN Healthcare and CHG Healthcare, this partnership serves as a key differentiator. While competitors also focus on solving immediate staffing gaps, Jackson Healthcare's investment in executive development signals a deeper, more holistic commitment. The collaboration is designed to embed the company's insights and resources directly into the career lifecycle of the industry's key decision-makers. This includes joint thought leadership, educational resources, and exclusive learning experiences aimed at the C-suite and emerging leaders.

"ACHE plays a vital role in developing the leaders who are shaping the future of healthcare, and we’re proud to support that mission," said Shane Jackson, president of Jackson Healthcare, in the announcement. This sentiment reflects a strategic understanding that the quality of leadership directly impacts operational efficiency, financial stability, and ultimately, patient outcomes. By helping to cultivate stronger leaders, the company aims to create a healthier market for its own services while contributing to the overall stability of the industry it serves.

Confronting the Crisis: A United Front on Healthcare's Toughest Challenges

The partnership arrives at a critical juncture for American healthcare. Executives are currently grappling with a confluence of unprecedented challenges that threaten the stability and quality of care delivery. The collaboration between Jackson Healthcare and ACHE is framed as a direct, unified response to these systemic issues.

At the forefront is the persistent and crippling workforce shortage. Hospitals and health systems nationwide are struggling with high vacancy rates, clinician burnout, and intense competition for talent. This partnership seeks to empower leaders with innovative strategies for workforce management, retention, and optimization. Several of Jackson Healthcare's specialized brands, including Jackson and Coker Locum Tenens, Jackson Physician Search, and Venn Workforce Optimization, will spearhead these efforts, bringing their ground-level expertise to a strategic leadership audience.

Beyond staffing, the initiative will address the complexities of evolving care models and mounting operational pressures. As healthcare shifts towards value-based care, telehealth, and more integrated delivery systems, executives require a new playbook. The partnership aims to provide the tools and strategic perspective necessary to navigate these transitions effectively.

"We are delighted to welcome Jackson Healthcare as a Premier Corporate Partner,” stated Deborah J. Bowen, FACHE, CAE, president and CEO of ACHE. “This strategic collaboration underscores our mutual commitment to advancing leadership, fostering professional growth and improving healthcare delivery nationwide.” This alignment of missions focuses on equipping leaders not just to survive the current landscape, but to drive the innovation necessary to build a more efficient and patient-centric system for the future.

Forging the Next Generation of Healthcare Executives

At its core, the collaboration is an investment in the future of healthcare leadership. ACHE is a powerful force in this domain, providing its members with career development resources, networking, and the prestigious FACHE® credential—the gold standard for board certification in healthcare management. By aligning with ACHE, Jackson Healthcare gains a direct channel to influence and support the professional growth of tens of thousands of current and future leaders.

The partnership's impact will be felt through a multi-pronged approach that combines high-level strategy with practical engagement. The first major public-facing initiative will take place at the upcoming ACHE 2026 Congress on Healthcare Leadership in Houston, Texas, from March 2-4. This premier industry event, which draws nearly 7,000 participants, will serve as a launchpad for the collaboration. Jackson Healthcare and its brands, including Kirby Bates Associates, LocumTenens.com, and Premier Anesthesia, will be deeply integrated into the event. Attendees can expect to see them participating in conference sessions, hosting a dedicated lunch and learn, and engaging with executives in the leadership exhibit hall.

This hands-on involvement is crucial. It provides a platform for sharing data-driven insights on workforce trends, demonstrating new technology solutions, and fostering the relationships that are essential for meaningful change. By contributing to ACHE's robust educational programming, which includes its publishing division and a network of 75 local chapters, Jackson Healthcare is helping to shape the curriculum for the leaders who will guide the industry through its next phase of evolution. This long-term vision of empowering executives with the capacity to build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system lies at the heart of this landmark partnership.