FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON — Today, Thomas J. Quatroche, Jr., PhD, CEO of Erie County Medical Center took office as chairman of America’s Essential Hospitals’ board of directors. He succeeds Jacob Cintron, MAcc, MBA, president and CEO of University Medical Center of El Paso, in El Paso, Texas, who becomes past chair.
“I couldn’t think of a more important national organization to be a part of than America’s Essential Hospitals at this time. Now, more than ever, we need effective advocacy for our safety net hospitals and health care systems who are taking care of the most vulnerable among us,” Quatroche said. “I am honored to serve as chair of a board made up of health care leaders who have dedicated their lives to improving the health of their communities and providing a strong voice for ensuring that all Americans have access to quality care no matter their circumstance.”
The board also welcomed the following new leaders:
- Chair-Elect: Katrina Keefer, MPA, president and CEO, DCH Health System, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
- Secretary: Dixie James, MBA, president, Central Region of Jefferson Health, Philadelphia
- Treasurer: Albert Wright Jr., PharmD, MHA, president and CEO, WVU Medicine, Morgantown, W.Va.
NEW AND CONTINUING DIRECTORS
America’s Essential Hospitals’ board welcomes these new at-large directors:
- Ed Banos, MHSA, president and CEO, University Health, San Antonio
- Oliver Johnson II, JD, executive vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel, MedStar Health, Columbia, Md.
- Sommer Kleweno Walley, MA, MHA, CEO, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle
These member leaders continue as at-large association board directors:
- Steve Arner, MBA, president and CEO, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, Va.
- Stephanie Daubert, chief financial officer, Nebraska Medicine, Omaha, Neb.
- Chester Kunnappilly, MD, CEO, San Mateo Medical Center, San Mateo, Calif.
- Chad Lefteris, MHA, president and CEO, UCI Health, Orange, Calif.
- Donna Lynne, DrPH, CEO, Denver Health, Denver
- Sheldon McLeod, CEO, NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Mark O’Halla, MBA, president and CEO, Prisma Health, Greenville, S.C.
- Shane Strum, MBA, president and CEO, Broward Health, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and interim CEO, Memorial Healthcare System, Hollywood, Fla.
“Our association is in great hands with these proven leaders advocating for essential hospitals,” said Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, president and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals. “I look forward to seeing them guide our efforts to ensure high-quality care for all.”
Essential Hospitals Institute, America’s Essential Hospitals research, education, and leadership development arm, also welcomed new leadership.
Rohit Bhalla, MD, MPH, senior vice president, chief clinical and quality officer at Stamford Hospital, in Stamford, Conn., becomes the Institute’s board chair. He succeeds Brenda Battle, MBA, RN, executive consultant of UChicago Medicine, in Chicago. Susan Cooper, MSN, RN, FAAN, chief integration officer and senior vice president of Regional One Health, in Memphis, Tenn., continues as past chair.
“My career has focused on improving health. Essential Hospitals Institute plays a vital national role through its broad efforts in research, best practice development, and education,” said Bhalla. “It’s a privilege to serve as Institute board chair, and I am honored to work with colleagues from across the United States to advance care delivery and population health.”
OTHER OFFICERS
- Chair-Elect and Secretary: Shannon Sale, MHA, senior vice president, chief strategy officer, Grady Health System, Atlanta
- Treasurer: Deborah Visconi, MS, president and CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, Paramus, N.J.
- Recording Secretary: Bruce Siegel (ex officio)
The Institute board added this new at-large director:
- Nabil Chehade, MD, MS, senior executive vice president; chief clinical transformation, innovation and strategy officer, The MetroHealth System, Cleveland
These member leaders continue as at-large Institute board directors:
- Tim Curtin, MBA, MSW, executive director of community services, Memorial Healthcare System, Hollywood, Fla.
- Lukejohn Day, MD, chief medical officer, UCSF Health, San Francisco
- Christopher Lombardozzi, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer, quality, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Spartanburg, S.C.
- Michelle O’Keefe, MA, chief communications officer, Eskenazi Health, Indianapolis
- Wendy Wilcox, MD, MBA, MPH, chief women’s health officer, NYC Health + Hospitals, New York
These leaders continue as outside, at-large Institute directors:
- Melinda Abrams, MS, executive vice president for programs, The Commonwealth Fund, New York
- Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH, president and CEO, Public Health Accreditation Board, Alexandria, Va.
- Robin Newton, MD, vice president of clinical learning environment review field operations, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, Chicago
- Claude Pirtle, MD, MBA, MS, interim executive director, Heartland Whole Health Institute, Bentonville, Ark.
- Anand Shah, MD, MS, vice president, social health, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, Calif.
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About America’s Essential Hospitals
America’s Essential Hospitals is the leading association and champion for hospitals dedicated to high-quality care for all, including those who face social and financial barriers to care. Since 1981, America’s Essential Hospitals has advanced policies and programs that promote health and access to health care. We support our more than 350 members with advocacy, policy development, research, education, and leadership development. Communities depend on essential hospitals for care across the continuum, health care workforce training, research, public health, and other services. Supported by Essential Hospitals Institute, the association’s research and education arm, essential hospitals innovate and adapt to lead all of health care toward better outcomes and value.
Contact:
James Swann
Director of Communications
jswann@essentialhospitals.org
202.585.0102
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