Obituary: Former head of Ohio Hospital Association James Castle

Former President and CEO of the Ohio Hospital Association James Castle died Jan. 7.  

Castle led OHA for 23 years before retiring in 2011. During his tenure, he was known for leading patient safety and quality improvement efforts, as well as helping to establish hospital emergency preparedness programs, among many other accomplishments. OHA bestows an annual award named after him, which honors an individual whose professional attainments embody qualities of an outstanding leader or mentor for service to the community, or other special achievement. 

Before joining OHA, Castle served as president of the Maine Hospital Association for four years and worked for 15 years with the Michigan Hospital Association.  

“Jim made an indelible mark on health care in Ohio and throughout this country,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “A leader in patient safety, Jim was a respected commissioner for the Joint Commission, and he was intently focused on making health care better for patients. He was admired by his state hospital association colleagues where his advice was extremely valued.”  

In 2008, Castle received the AHA’s Board of Trustees Award for his many contributions to the AHA’s task forces and committees on rural health care and Medicaid, as well as his work on the Coalition to Protect America’s Health Care board. 

“Jim leaves a legacy of leadership and devotion to advancing health that will persist for generations to come,” Pollack said. “We extend our deep condolences to Jim’s family and friends.”