Press Release

Fred Hessler to Receive AHA Board of Trustees Award

Contact:
AHA Press Room - (202) 797-4840
After April 27th - Elizabeth Lietz, (202) 626-2284
or Matt Fenwick - (312) 422-2820

Washington D.C.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) today awarded Fred Hessler, managing director of Citigroup's New York health care group, with its 2010 Board of Trustees Award.  The award is presented to individuals or groups who have made substantial and noteworthy contributions to the work of the AHA.  Hessler will receive the award at a ceremony at the AHA Annual Membership meeting in Washington. 

"Fred has lent his considerable financial skills and knowledge to the AHA and the nation's hospitals," said Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the AHA.  "This award recognizes the efforts he's made, particularly in times of economic uncertainty, to help the AHA and its Health Research and Educational Trust remain strong and vibrant.  Many AHA members have come to rely on Fred's knowledge of the capital markets as they manage their assets and plan for the future."

With 40 years of experience in health care, Hessler is a nationally known investment banker and strategic advisor.  He has headed the Health Care Group at Citi for 20 years.  His experience includes assisting health providers, insurers and managed care companies through the process of consolidation and as they work to become more integrated.

Hessler serves currently on the AHA's operations committee and has been a member and chair of the Health Research and Educational Trust.  Hessler also is a member of the Center for Healthcare Governance's blue ribbon panel on trustee core competencies and the Healthcare Executives Study Society. 

Prior to joining Citigroup, Hessler was a partner and regional director for health care at Ernst & Young, where he was responsible for conducting feasibility, corporate reorganization and strategic planning studies for health care clients.

John O'Brien, president and chief executive officer at UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc. also will receive the 2010 Board of Trustees Award.

About AHA

The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which includes more than 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, and 38,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends.