Blog Contribution by NIHD President Kristina Krail, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, PMP, EDAC.
Around this time of year, numerous organizations, entities and companies are preparing their annual report, including the Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design. I am tasked with writing the introduction to the report, which is for the most part is a compilation of performance statements, strategic initiatives, and a reporting on the fulfillment of our goals and objectives.
I am reminded of a graduate class I took long time ago in the school of business that included a lesson on “how to read an annual report.” It was useful subject matter that I referenced often throughout my leadership career, including now. I learned that all the financial components of the report are important, but I also learned that the narratives and footnotes were just as important, if not more so. Words, instead of calculations - tell the story, put things in context, and provide a management perspective in a way that numbers alone just can’t.
As a non-profit, our 990 filing provides the IRS and the public our financial information which demonstrates that we are fiscally stable and “living within our means.” In fact, we are at a point in 2024 where we have a healthy amount of net assets which can allow us, going forward, to pursue more aggressively some of our strategic initiatives.
The other components of the following report will tell an even richer story of our growth and maturation. It is a story of gradual but steady improvement both in scope and sophistication that drives our goals and objectives closer and closer each year to our vision. In particular, you will find many measurable accomplishments, such as awarding the very first Daisy Foundation Award to a nurse in the design field, or having a record-breaking number of Industry, Association, and Academic Partners. But know that these achievements, along with other achievements, were realized in part due to how NIHD leadership adjusted its approach or recalibrated its priorities to meet your needs. Two strategic changes are worth mentioning.
It was approximately 5 years ago that the board totally revamped our Strategic Plan and format. It is a dynamic and exemplar tool that guides all we do. With the realization that we could not do “everything all at once,” this year we decided to narrow our efforts and selected three initiatives evaluated to be the most important and most needed at this time. You will read in the report our progress on these: 1) publish a 2nd book, 2) improve member engagement, and 3) strengthen academic partnerships.
We also realized that to really make progress on these projects, it was necessary to engage a greater circle of leadership and go beyond the board. Our short-term task force structure was satisfactory when we were smaller, but now with more significant goals, we instead created standing and empowered committees to take on the charge. Our Membership, Education, Partner Relations, and Nominating Committees have risen to the assignment with enthusiasm and commitment. By concentrating our energy on a few significant projects, and with the involvement of member leadership and dedicated committees, we have made substantial strides in fulfilling our strategic plan.
You will also read about the resurgence of the NIHD Foundation as a sign of our continued growth. NIHD founding members had the wisdom to legally establish a 501c3 charitable foundation at the same time NIHD was created as a 501c6 member organization. The Foundation is managed through its own board with an inherent and close relationship to the NIHD board. Although somewhat dormant for a period of time, this group is now serious in their philanthropic support of NIHD scholarships and awards. Their board talent, amount of monetary donations, and involvement in what NIHD stands for is invaluable.
Please read our Annual Report and take pride in what your professional organization was able to accomplish this year with your involvement - whether active or quiet. We could not have accomplished what we did without you. Together, next year and in the years to come, we will continue to engage and integrate clinical expertise into the planning and design of built healthcare environments, all with a vision to literally shape the future of healthcare.
Kristina Krail, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, PMP, EDAC
2024 NIHD President