Constitution of AHSIA (revision of 2022)

HII

ADVENTIST HEALTHCARE SERVICES OF INTERAMERICA - AHSIA - CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I – NAME, HISTORY and LOCATION

Section 1.   The name of this organization is: “ADVENTIST HEALTHCARE SERVICES INTER-AMERICA (AHSIA). The acronym is pronounced; “ah-shiyah”

Section 2.   AHSIA was formed under the leadership of the Inter-American Division on May 20, 2010. With the participation of Montemorelos University and all the Unions with healthcare institutions in their territory, namely the Caribbean Union, Central Mexican Union, Dominican Union, Haitian Union, Honduras Union, Jamaica Union, Puerto Rican Union, South Central American Union, Southeast Mexican Union, West Venezuela Union. Each Union was represented by the administrators (Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers).

Section 3.   The head office of AHSIA is based at the Inter-American Division headquarters located in Miami, Florida.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERS

All Healthcare institutions in the territory of the InterAmerican Division that are operated by a church entity are duly a member of the AHSIA. This includes and is not limited to Hospitals, Sanitariums, Health Centers, Dispensaries, outpatient Clinics, Dental clinics, Diagnostic centers, mobile clinics, structured community-based healthcare services, Lifestyle centers, nursing homes and centers of influences when this entity is engaged in healthcare services.

ARTICLE III - PURPOSE

Section 1.                  The main purpose of “AHS - IA” AHSIA is to strengthen the Adventist healthcare services in the IAD territory, fostering the emergence of a culture quality, accessibility, sustainability, and safety while promoting collaboration and fruitful exchanges between our institutions.

Section 2.                 AHSIA’s interventions aim to augment the impact of our healthcare system on the common good of the community.

Section 3.                 AHSIA’s main ambitions are to;

a.    Achieve that all Adventist healthcare institutions in the IAD territory switch from being externally supported institutions to becoming self-sustainable institutions,

b.    Pointing back Adventist healthcare services delivery to the mission of the church, which is to evidence the compassion of Jesus-Christ for suffering humanity.

c.     Better connect the Adventist healthcare services and initiatives to the Adventist community,

d.    Partnership building between the Adventist healthcare services and the community as well as local and international actors.

ARTICLE IV –OBJECTIVES

The General Objectives of AHSIA shall include, without being but will not be limited to:

Section 1.        Participate directly in the Governance of major healthcare institution as a Board Member by default.

Section 2.        Develop, maintain, update and enforce an appropriate model of healthcare policies (A MANUAL OF OPERATION OF SDA HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS), in harmony with the SDA Church’s philosophy, beliefs, and mission, and in line with the current best practices in healthcare delivery.

Section 3.        Develop Board Manual, Procedures, Training, and Orientation program for promoting general healthcare governance principles,

Section 4.        Develop and keep updated a template of MEDICAL BYLAWS to be adopted and adapted as needed by each Institution’s Board to govern their respective medical staff and their medical activities. 

Section 5.        Provide counsels as requested to address the issues pertaining to opening/closure and major expansion of healthcare institutions,

Section 6.        Foster and Coordinate administrative, professional, technical exchanges among the institutions, and create adequate mechanisms through which all the institutions can cooperate together.

Section 7.        Foster, help establish and Coordinate, wherever and when possible and recommendable, effective SDA national or unionwide healthcare system.

Section 8.        Establish and Coordinate Continuing Education and training for leaders, managers, employees, volunteers and board members of the institutions.  

Section 9.        Support and Coordinate, all initiatives of common interests such as: group purchasing - equipment standardization, servicing and maintenance, etc.   

Section 10. Foster and facilitate Consulting Services to the member institutions, to develop master planning, marketing strategies, financial trends analysis, and other specialized tasks.

Section 11. Develop and operate a system of “ Quality care and patient safety Program”

Section 12.    Develop and execute a relevant accreditation program for Adventist healthcare institutions in the Inter-American Division territory.

Section 13. Research, negotiate and coordinate the best possible program of accreditation for all the hospitals, and make possible an adequate program of evaluation/accreditation for all the other types of healthcare institutions,  

Section 14. Design or seek and promote appropriate Administrative, Medical and Financial Reporting Systems, facilitating a better managerial, professional and financial monitoring, as well as adequate growth & development throughout the entire system.  

Section 15. Provide counsel on special issues such as, General Liability and Professional Liability coverage, Retirement plans of employees of the SDA healthcare sector, in consultation with the various governing bodies.  

ARTICLE V – OPERATION

The operations of AHSIA will be carried out as follows:

Section 1.         It is governed by the : “AHSIA Board” formed as described below: 

a)    The IAD President or his designee

b)    The AHSIA President

c)    The AHSIA Treasurer

d)    All other IAD administrators  

e)    All the presidents of the unions with healthcare institutions,

f)      The president of Montemorelos University

g)    The Health Ministry Director of the GC or his/her designee,

h) The board chairs of all other hospitals or SDA national or Unionwide healthcare system (where applicable)

i)      All hospital or SDA national or Unionwide health system administrators.

The General activities of AHS/IA shall be conducted by its President appointed by the AHSIA Board.  

Section 1.        A group of Professional Consultants. Members of the groups shall    be, but not limited to;

1.1.        One or more professional consultants in Financial matters

1.2.        One or more professional consultants in Philanthropy

1.3.        One or more professional consultants in Procurement, Logistics and General Support

1.4.        One or more professional consultants in Nursing Affairs

1.5.        One or more professional consultants in Digital health and Information Technology Issues

1.6.        One or more professional consultants for Clinical Laboratory Issues

1.7.        One or more professional consultants for Quality Issues

1.8.        One or more professional consultants for Facility Management Issues

1.9.        One or more professional consultants for Bio-medical Issues

1.10. One or more professional consultants for Maintenance Issues 

1.11. One or more professional consultants for Imaging Issues

1.12. One or more professional consultants for Risk Management Issues

1.13. One or more professional consultants for Governance Issues, Board Assessment and Training.

1.14. One or more professional consultant for the continuous training and Professional    

Section 2.        The duly appointed AHSIA president will seek to develop and strengthen partnerships with international partners, such as but not limited to;

1.15. The GC Health Ministries 

1.16. The Adventist Health International – AHI

1.17. The Global Healthcare Institute of the LLUH

1.18. The Global Health Footprint Initiative of AdventHealth

1.19. The Adventist Health Services AHS

1.20. The Montemorelos University

1.21. ADRA international

1.22. Relevant IAD Universities

1.23. Other Adventist Institutions with interest for health such as IADPA or the Food Company

1.24. Any relevant Adventist and non-Adventist entity.

ARTICLE VI – FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICERS

A-   Functions of the President:

The President of AHSIA:

Section 1.        Is an ex-officio member of all the hospital boards, to remain acquainted with all aspects of their operations, and might eventually chair those boards as needed.

Section 2.        Coordinates the network of the healthcare institution of AHSIA

Section 3.        Provides leadership in coordinating the healthcare institution’s network of AHSIA

Section 4.        Develops an annual operational plan for the organization to be submitted to the AHSIA  board at its annual meeting.

Section 5.        Works out with the AHSIA treasurer in the preparation of an annual operational and developmental budget to be submitted to the board at its annual meeting for approval.

Section 6.        Develops and maintains all necessary partnerships, professional and financial, to fulfill the objectives of AHSIA, and serve the interests of its institutions-members.

Section 7.        Submit regular reports of such relationships and their benefits to the board at its annual meeting, or as needed.

Section 8.        Makes sure, the purpose and objectives of AHSIA are always a priority in the operations of the Institution.

Section 9.        Provide regular orientation/update of the board members on recent healthcare governance and management trends.

B-   Functions of the Treasurer

The Treasurer of AHSIA:

Part I -

Section 10.    Administer the financial resources of the institution in accordance with the approved operating budget, the policies and actions of the AHSIA board.

Section 11.    Prepare the annual operating and development budget of the Institution.

Section 12.    To provide financial counsel, information and analysis.

   Part II – Institutions (Hospitals and Clinics)

Section 13. Ensure that every institution prepares and submits its monthly Financial Statements by the 15th of the following month.

Section 14. Ensure that the yearly audit of each institution, with the management’s response to the auditors are on file.

Section 15.    Prepare financial analysis and offer recommendations.

Section 16.    Apply General Conference and inter-American Division Financial Policies, in harmony with the Accounting Manual.

ARTICLE VII - QUORUM

The quorum for formal board meetings shall be of five members including the chairperson or designee.

ARTICLE VIII – FINANCES

The AHSIA shall operate with an annual budget with funds provided as follows:

Section 1.        An annual appropriation from the Inter-American Division Administration.  

Section 2.        The member institutions and/or their respective organization owner will contribute, an annual amount to be established based on a voted position of the AHSIA Board. 

Section 3.        Donations and Philanthropy programs.

ARTICLE IX – OPERATIONAL PARTNERS

AHSIA seeks and maintains close relationship with relevant health related actors operated under the General Conference. In particular, relationship with AHI (Adventist Health International), shall be defined through an MOU, between the two organizations, to assist in the management of the IAD healthcare organizations.

ARTICLE X - LIABILITY and INDEMNITY

This organization and its partners are not responsible for any liability of any nature, issued from the operations of any of the healthcare entities of which it is comprised, as it must be indicated in their respective bylaws. 

ARTICLE XI - DISSOLUTION

In case of dissolution of AHS/IA and after all its obligations have been satisfied, the executive committee of the IAD will discretionarily distribute the remaining assets between the participating institutions.