September 27, 2008, Chicago, IL — The Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) recognized Ken Menefee of Lakeland Regional Medical Center Foundation, for achieving the AHP Fellow designation (FAHP) at the AHP International Conference in Chicago. Menefee is in the 33rd class of Fellows to be honored.
Elevation to the status of Fellow in AHP is the highest level of achievement in the field of health care philanthropy. Conferring of the Fellow designation is not so much an award, as it is recognition of individual professional distinction, well earned through dedication and continual self-advancement.
Ken Menefee, FAHP is the executive director of Lakeland Regional Medical Center Foundation in Lakeland, Fla. He has been involved in health care philanthropy for 29 years and previously served as senior vice president, foundations for Parkview Health in Ft. Wayne, Ind. Ken joined AHP in 1980 and has held numerous positions in the AHP Midwest region including regional conference education chair, education track dean and regional treasurer. He served on the AHP International board and was president of the AHP Health System Development Network. Ken is the founding member of the Planned Giving Council of Northeast Indiana, and has held board member positions for many community organizations.
The Association for Healthcare Philanthropy is dedicated to the advancement of health care institutions and organizations through the enhancement of its members' performance and professionalism. To this end, AHP sets professional standards for health care development officers, offers comprehensive educational programs to help them achieve those standards, and examines them to determine who meets those standards. Professionals who successfully complete the Fellow examination earn the designation "Fellow of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy," or FAHP.
Successful applicants must have earned the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation, have at least eight years of experience in raising and managing philanthropic funds for a health care organization, and pledge in writing to adhere to the AHP Statement of Professional Standards and Conduct and to uphold the AHP-endorsed Donor Bill of Rights. To achieve the status of Fellow, applicants must pass a written and oral exam.
AHP, established in 1967, is a not-for-profit organization whose 4,800+ members manage philanthropic programs in 2,000 of the nation's 3,400 not-for-profit health care providers.