Honoring CAHME Site Visitors and the Dr. Dolores Clement Fellow of the Year Award

CAHME’s accreditation process depends on the dedication, expertise, and service of its site visitors. As representatives of CAHME, site visitors communicate CAHME’s mission, values, and commitment to quality to university leadership, faculty, students, practitioners, and the broader community.

Through peer review, collaboration, and professional judgment, site visitors help ensure that graduate healthcare management programs meet CAHME standards and continue to improve. Their service, often taking place behind the scenes, strengthens educational quality and supports the development of future healthcare leaders. CAHME is deeply grateful for the time, care, and professionalism site visitors bring to this work.

The Role of CAHME Site Visitors

Since CAHME’s founding in 1968, site visitors from both academia and practice have played a foundational role in accreditation. Site visitors serve as peer reviewers on collaborative teams, taking on clearly defined roles that support consistency, accountability, and high-quality evaluation.

Site visit teams include Chairs, who coordinate communication and lead the presentation of findings; Coordinators, who support evidence review, analysis of program data, and documentation; and Team Members, who contribute to self-study review, site visit activities, and the development of findings and recommendations. Observers, individuals beginning their site visitor journey, participate alongside teams to learn the accreditation process and prepare for future service.

Together, these roles foster effective collaboration, inter-rater reliability, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement across CAHME-accredited programs.

Learn more about site visitor roles here under “Site Visitor Roles and Responsibilities.”

(From left to right: Dr. Robert Miller (CAHME site visitor – Observer); Dr. Alan Jones (UIW Faculty); Dr. Lee Bewley (CAHME site visitor – Chair); Dr. Chris Nesser (UIW Program Director); Dr. Kristi Pintar (CAHME site visitor – Team Member); Dr. Lynn Downs (UIW Faculty); Dr. Akbar Ghiasi (UIW Faculty); Dr. Andrew “Blake” Hendrickson (CAHME site visitor – Coordinator).

Site Visitors and the Fellowship Pathway

Many site visitors choose to deepen their engagement with CAHME through the Fellowship Program, established in 1972 with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. CAHME Fellowship reflects a sustained commitment to mentorship, service, and leadership in healthcare management education.

Through continued participation in site visits, training, and CAHME activities, Fellows contribute to the integrity of the accreditation process and the advancement of the field.

apply to become a cahme site visitor

Recognizing Site Visitor Service

CAHME reconizes and celebrates site visitor service in many ways, reflecting the varied contributions of those who support accreditation. One such recognition is the Dr. Dolores Clement Fellow of the Year Award, which honors exceptional service and leadership within the site visitor and Fellowship community.

About the Fellow of the Year Award

The Dr. Dolores Clement Fellow of the Year Award honors an outstanding CAHME Fellow nominated by peers and programs they have served. The award recognizes sustained service, mentorship, and a commitment to advancing the quality of healthcare management education through accreditation.

Now in its third year, the award reflects CAHME’s continued commitment to recognizing excellence in site visitor service. Past recipients include Steven J. Szydlowski, MBA, MHA, DHA (2025) and Cherise Bridgwater, MBA, CHFP, FACHE (2024).

Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Dolores Clement

Dr. Dolores Clement, a former CAHME Board member, was deeply passionate about her role as a site visitor and was named a Master Fellow Emeritus in recognition of her lasting contributions. She was known for her genuine care for others and her deep respect for the important work of site visitors and the difference they make in strengthening programs and supporting future healthcare leaders. She created and personally funded this award during her lifetime to recognize service and excellence in healthcare management education. The award continues following her passing, ensuring her legacy of service, integrity, and dedication to the field lives on.

2026 Dr. Dolores Clement Fellow of the Year
Dr. Carla Stebbins has been named the 2026 Dr. Dolores Clement Fellow of the Year in recognition of her exceptional service as a CAHME Fellow and site visitor. Her work reflects the professionalism, care, and commitment that define meaningful accreditation service.

She will be honored during the CAHME Awards Ceremony on March 1, 2026 in Houston TX, held in conjunction with the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Congress.

Dr. Carla Stebbins, PhD, MHA
Director, MHA Program
Texas A&M University

“Serving as a CAHME fellow has been a career highlight for me. I value every site visit, team meeting, and late-night reading and studying a program. I’ve learned so much and hope that my involvement has supported these programs to continue the work to advance healthcare leadership! I knew of Dr. Clement but not well. The encounters I had left a lasting impression of her passion and dedication. I imagine that she, as well as my fellow colleagues, once had a similar experience as I. I am deeply honored to accept this recognition. Thank you CAHME and the Board of Directors for the opportunity to serve this profession!”