Frances M. Blackwell, vice president for outpatient services for the Tacoma-based Franciscan Health System, has become a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the nation’s leading professional society for healthcare leaders.

Fellow status represents achievement of the highest standard of professional development. Candidates must pass a comprehensive examination, meet academic and experiential requirements, earn continuing education credits and demonstrate community involvement.

“I am proud to have achieved Fellow status in the premier professional organization in my field,” said Blackwell, who joined the Franciscan organization in 2005.

ACHE has only 7,500 Fellows nationwide. They are committed to ongoing professional development and undergo recertification every three years.

“By becoming an ACHE Fellow and simultaneously earning board certification from ACHE, healthcare leaders can show that they are committed to providing high quality service to their patients and community,” said Thomas C. Dolan, president and chief executive officer of ACHE.

Blackwell oversees Franciscan’s broad range of hospital-based outpatient services provided at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood, St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way, Enumclaw Regional Hospital, and soon at St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor (opening early 2009).