Patient Dining, Resident Engagement, & Foodservice Innovation
The digital copy of the latest issue of S.O. Connected is now available in the AHF Member Resource Library. This issue, Patient Dining, Resident Engagement, & Foodservice Innovation, is packed with real-world success stories and forward-looking strategies. This issue was developed to help healthcare and senior dining Operators elevate the customer experience, leverage new technology, and transform 2026 ambitions into self-operated achievements.
Featured Articles
Self-Operated Success in Action
From the Gulf Coast of Florida to the Arctic Circle, AHF members are proving the power of the self-op model. This feature celebrates the milestones of leaders like Lisa Shoopman (Baptist Health System) and Niles Gebele (OhioHealth), who have successfully transitioned outsourced facilities to internal management. Discover how Duilio Enrici (LWRMC) and Thom Pastor (ANTHC) are aligning foodservice with organizational missions to improve quality, while Ted Gody (Living Branches) navigates the evolving culinary legacy of senior living communities.
Expanded Content for Greater Depth and Breadth
What Keeps You Up at Night – Operator Edition
We asked, and you answered. This annual report highlights the key challenges and emerging trends across the industry. While staffing and recruitment remain the top concerns, see how the conversation is shifting from “aspirational” innovation to the active deployment of ready-to-use tools and resources in self-operated facilities.
Customer Experience: A Strategic Imperative
With 80% of leaders planning to increase service budgets, customer experience has become a critical competitive advantage. Learn why delivering best-in-class service is now a strategic priority that directly influences the bottom line and builds long-term trust.
Patient-Facing Meal Ordering Apps
Dive into a side-by-side look at how two different hospitals (one oncology-focused and one pediatric) successfully rolled out meal ordering technology. This article outlines the benefits of patient autonomy and the planning required to ensure a smooth implementation.
Enhancing Senior Living Through Innovation
The days of cafeteria-style service and uninspired menus are fading. Industry leaders share how senior residences are “levelling up” with global flavors and flexible dining to meet the rising expectations of today’s residents.
AHF Resources & Tools
Contractor Take Over: Red Flags & Warning Signs Infographic
Don’t get caught off guard by a contractor threat. Our new Risk Level Infographic identifies the early warning signs that a contractor may be preparing a bid, helping you stay ahead and defend your self-operated status.
Special Features & Recognition
Together Toward Tomorrow
Get an exclusive sneak peek at our 2026 National Conference in Atlanta and unlock the “Post-Conference Playbook,” featuring actionable insights and key session takeaways from our recent gathering in New Orleans. Use these expert resources to demonstrate the value of self-operation to your administration and start planning your professional journey to “The Big Peach” today.
People Who Make AHF Work
Neal Lavender, MS, PHR, CDM-CFPP &
Shelly Garner
Members – Download Your Copy Today!
Whether you’re focused on transitioning to a self-operated model, enhancing the resident experience through culinary innovation, or leveraging new patient-facing meal apps, this issue of S.O. Connected offers the expert strategies you need to drive operational excellence.
Download your digital copy today to stay ahead with the latest best practices and the tools to transform your 2026 ambitions into achievements!
https://healthcarefoodservice.org/library/
Keep a lookout for the magazine arriving in your mailbox soon!
Not a Member of AHF?
S.O. Connected is a valuable member benefit of AHF. If you are not currently a member of AHF, we gladly welcome all self-operated healthcare foodservice and senior dining operations and the business partners who support them. Visit HealthcareFoodservice.org/Be-A-Member to learn more and join our community today!
Already a member but didn’t receive your copy in the mail? Please ensure your member profile is fully up to date with a proper mailing address to guarantee your physical copy hasn’t been lost in the mail room.