A grateful farewell: Nine years of growth, friendship and impact with SHSMD
- Alan Shoebridge
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
All good things must come to an end. Yes, I know say that’s a cliché, but it’s also true. Every November, the Society for Healthcare Market and Strategy Development (SHSMD) advisory board holds its final meeting of the year where departing board members are given a nice send off. It gets emotional.
That last part might seem a bit strange to you, but I swear it happens every year. The bonds between SHSMD board members are strong. So many life-long partnerships and friendships are formed. I’ve served on other great boards, but SHSMD is truly different.
This November’s board meeting was my last after nine years. It was hard to say goodbye. Perhaps even a bit more difficult than expected.
Navigating my ‘mixed emotions’
“Are you sad to be leaving the board?” was a question more than a few people asked me during this year’s SHSMD Connections conference in Dallas. My honest answer was that I have mixed feelings about leaving the board. I know “mixed emotions” is another cliché, but it’s also true!
At the core, I am sad to be leaving the board. The relationships I’ve made have been priceless. And SHSMD’s exceptional staff makes being a board member incredibly easy. When you enjoy serving on a board for an organization you believe deeply in, it’s hard to ever feel like you’re giving back all that you can or want to.
Yet at the same time, I know that it’s important to make room for new voices. Boards that remain static with the same people serving on them forever are generally not effective. Fresh perspectives and new thinking are critical. And new people need to get a chance to contribute.
That’s why part of me is happy about leaving. It’s time for this transition. Not too early. Not too late. I think the timing is just right. However, that doesn’t make leaving any easier.
Looking ahead to the future
That last few years have been challenging for those working in healthcare, but I’m excited for SHSMD’s future. In 2016, I felt that SHSMD was the premier place for healthcare strategists to be. I feel just as strongly about that today.
At every board meeting, we are always focused squarely on the SHSMD member. What do they need to succeed? What can we learn from them? How can we help their career path? How can we connect them to other members or mentors?
We want SHSMD members to be successful — personally and professionally. Supporting that success also means we’ll help healthcare be better for the patients and communities we all serve. No matter how our industry evolves, that will always be important.
If you’re reading this and are already a SHSMD member, consider getting more involved on a committee, presenting at conference or applying for the board. If you’re not yet a member, I urge you to do it. Check out the SHSMD website to learn more.
Thank you to everyone
My first interaction with SHSMD was in 2010. I gave a presentation at that year’s Connections conference and wrote an article for SHSMD Spectrum, which back then was printed and sent out to all members. Remember that? Many of you probably don’t!
Over the next few years, I started contributing more regularly and eventually applied to be a board member in 2016.
I didn’t think I would get accepted on that first try, but I did. My initial board meeting was a bit intimidating. The group was so smart. What was I doing there? However, everyone was so welcoming and open. I learned so much in the first few years. That learning and those positive interactions with the board simply never stopped.
Creating a full list of people to thank here would be futile. It would be long, and I know that I would still leave somebody out. I’m not even going to risk it.
So, to every past and present board member I served with, the staff I worked with and the SHSMD members I’ve met since 2016: THANK YOU! You made this experience truly wonderful.
I’ll be staying involved in several SHSMD projects and look forward to seeing you on a webinar or at the conference in 2026.
The future of SHSMD is in good hands!
