AHA’s Begley to retire at end of 2024

Robyn Begley, AHA’s chief nursing officer and CEO of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, plans to retire at the end of this year, the associations announced May 23. 

Begley, who has served in her current roles for seven years, is widely respected throughout the hospital field and the nursing community, and she has accomplished a great deal during her tenure. When she started in her role, Begley refocused the mission of the then-American Organization of Nurse Executives on nursing leadership development and excellence and rebranded it to become AONL. Through these efforts, AONL has increased its membership from 9,000 to 12,000 members. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Begley brought her more than four decades as a front-line caregiver and nursing leader to bear to help lead and support hospitals navigate that unprecedented time. Among other accomplishments, Begley has overseen the development of both the AHA’s and AONL’s pivotal work on workforce, as well as advanced key initiatives on quality and patient safety and future care delivery models. 

AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack praised Begley’s leadership and support throughout her time at the association. 

“She has always been the source of wise counsel and sound advice,” Pollack said. “And she always provided a patient-first perspective that informed and enhanced the work we do on behalf of America’s hospitals and health systems, nurses, other caregivers and patients.” 

A search for Begley’s successor will begin next month.