The AHA June 30 announced the appointment of Steve Walsh as its next president and chief executive officer. Walsh, who has served as president and CEO of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association since 2017, will assume leadership of the nation’s largest hospital and healthcare system membership organization this fall.  

“Following a thoughtful national search, the Board unanimously selected Steve Walsh to serve as the next President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Hospital Association,” said Marc L. Boom, M.D., chair of the AHA Board of Trustees and president and CEO of Houston Methodist. “Steve is a proven healthcare leader, innovator and accomplished advocate for healthcare improvement, who understands both the challenges facing hospitals and the opportunities ahead. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an ability to bring people together, build consensus and advance meaningful solutions on behalf of patients, caregivers and communities.” 

Boom also thanked and praised outgoing AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack, noting the “Board’s decision reflects our confidence that Steve is uniquely prepared to build upon the strong foundation established by Rick Pollack while helping the Association strengthen its role as a trusted voice, convener and advocate for health care providers across America.” 

Walsh brings more than two decades of experience advancing American healthcare, with a focus on strengthening the healthcare workforce, reducing disparities in health outcomes and fostering a more connected continuum of care for patients. 

“It is a profound honor to be selected to lead the American Hospital Association, and I am grateful for the trust the Board has placed in me to carry on the legacy of service that Rick Pollack has created,” Walsh said. “The next era of American healthcare is bright for the patients and caregivers we serve, all of whom will benefit from our members’ unified focus around access, quality and innovation.” 

The announcement was shared with AHA member hospitals and health systems earlier today. For more details, see the news release

Perspective
Public
Every day, hospitals and health systems are finding new and better ways to care for the people and communities they serve.You can see it in predictive…
Blog
Public
The American Hospital Association Leadership Summit will take place July 12-14 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Renowned speakers from across…
Perspective
Public
This week, more than 1,000 hospital and health system leaders came to Washington, D.C., united by a shared responsibility: to ensure every community has access…
Headline
Former AHA Board Chair John Haupert, president and CEO of Grady Health System in Atlanta, will retire at the end of this year, the health system announced…
Headline
Nominations are being accepted until March 31 for the 2027 class of the AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship. Hospitals and health systems are encouraged to…
Perspective
Public
The grace, beauty and breathtaking athleticism on display during the just-concluded Winter Olympics reminds us that excellence is achieved in steps and earned…