Michael F. Rodgers to Receive AHA’s Honorary Life Membership Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 20, 2019) – The American Hospital Association (AHA) today announced that Michael F. Rodgers, former senior vice president of the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), will be presented the AHA Honorary Life Membership Award for his outstanding contributions to hospitals and health care in America. The award recognizes individuals who have made important contributions to the health care field and who share the mission, values and goals of the AHA. Rodgers will receive the award at a ceremony at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting on April 8 in Washington, D.C.

“Mike is a powerful advocate for expanding access to health care for those who face barriers,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “He has been a trusted friend and ally to the AHA for almost two decades, lending his expertise to further the AHA and CHA’s shared goal of improving care for patients. We are proud to award Mike this well-deserved Honorary Life Membership Award for his contributions.”

Rodgers served as senior vice president of public policy and advocacy at CHA and retired after serving as a pillar of the association’s government relations department for 18 years. During his time at CHA, Rodgers oversaw public policy efforts and worked as a spokesperson on initiatives to help expand access to health care and push for policies that benefit patients. He advanced CHA’s advocacy agenda before Congress, the White House and a variety of health-related federal agencies.

Prior to joining CHA in 2000, Rodgers served as senior vice president at the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA). While at AAHSA, he was responsible for overseeing operations and directing staff functions of the government relations department. Prior to AAHSA, Rodgers also served in several Washington, D.C.-based federal and state government positions. He was staff director of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Housing and Consumer Interests and Select Committee on Aging, where he advised the chairman on health care and aging policy. Prior to that, he worked as a senior professional staffer for the U.S. Senate’s Special Committee on Aging.

Rodger’s earned his master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and psychology from the University of Scranton.

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Contact:         

Gabriella Valentine, (202) 626-2264, gdvalentine@aha.org

About the 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 include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks and other providers of care. 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 website at www.aha.org.