Joan Coffman to Chair AHA's Section for Small or Rural Hospitals Council

WASHINGTON (January 12, 2018) – Today, the American Hospital Association (AHA) announced that Joan Coffman, President and CEO of HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, Illinois, will lead the AHA’s Section for Small or Rural Hospitals as chair of its 19-member council for 2018. The section is a forum for small or rural hospitals to discuss common interests and concerns and to participate in the AHA policy process. The section council advises AHA on behalf of small or rural hospitals on key advocacy, policy and regulatory issues.

HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital is part of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), a multi-institutional health care system that cares for patients in 14 communities in Illinois and Wisconsin. Ms. Coffman was appointed to serve at St. Mary’s Hospital in September 2017. She previously was the President & CEO of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, joining the organization in 2008.

Originally from New Orleans, Ms. Coffman worked with Tenet Healthcare Corporation as Assistant Administrator of Lindy Boggs Medical Center in New Orleans until 2005 when it closed due to flood damage sustained in Hurricane Katrina. She also served as CEO of the Louisiana Clinic, a multi-specialty physician clinic in New Orleans. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of New Orleans and is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).

While in Wisconsin, she was a member of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) and the Governor’s Opioid Task Force. Locally, she served as a board member for a number of community organizations, and at the federal level, was a member of the Rural Hospital Issues Group. Under her direction, her hospital was recognized as a top performer by The Joint Commission, Press Ganey, Leap Frog, and Wisconsin Forward. Ms. Coffman has supervised more than $15 million in capital improvements, developed new physician partnerships and engaged with community partners to improve health and wellness. She also received the AHA’s 2017 Grassroots Champion award.

Dave Schreiner, President and CEO of Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon, Illinois, will serve as chair-elect and will assume the role of chair in 2019. Rachelle Schultz, EdD, President and CEO of Winona Health in Winona, Minnesota, is immediate past chair. Jason Spring, Chief Strategic Officer, Kalispell Regional Healthcare in Kalispell, Montana, is the liaison to the advisory council from the AHA Board of Trustees.

The small or rural council advises the AHA on federal policy issues. Newly elected members serving for three-year terms beginning Jan 1, 2018, include: Trevor Castaneda, CEO, Tennova Newport Medical Center in Newport, Tennessee; Debra Wright, RN, CEO, Howard Memorial Hospital in Nashville, Arkansas; Frank May, CEO, UC Health Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and Harry Weis, CEO, Tahoe Forest Hospital District in Truckee, California.

The new council members join the following current members: Kevin Donovan, President and CEO, LRG Healthcare in Laconia, New Hampshire; William Jacobsen, MHA, FACHE, Vice President, Carilion Clinic, Administrator, Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital in Rocky Mount, Virginia; Thomas Nordwick, CEO, Uvalde County Hospital Authority in Uvalde, Texas; Mary Anne Shannon, PhD, RN, board member, UP Health System - Marquette in Marquette, Michigan; James Donovan, President and CEO, Lincoln Health in Damariscotta, Maine; Michael L. Ogden, President and CEO, Little Falls Hospital in Little Falls, New York; Philip E. Pandolph, CEO, Meadville Medical Center in Meadville, Pennsylvania; Vicky McFall, CEO, Monroe County Medical Center in Tompkinsville, Kentucky; Manuela Wolf, CEO, Harlan County Health System in Alma, Nebraska; Jeremy Lyman, CEO, Blue Mountain Hospital in Blanding, Utah; and Siri Nelson, Chief Administrative Officer, Renown South Meadows – SM5 in Reno, Nevada.

Contact:          Marie Johnson, (202) 626-2351

                       Colin Milligan, (202) 638-5491

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About the AHA’s Section for Small or Rural Hospitals

The AHA's Section for Small or Rural Hospitals provides representation, advocacy and educational opportunities to help the nation's small or rural hospitals better serve the health needs of patients and communities.

About the AHA

The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 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. For more information, visit the AHA website at www.aha.org.