Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., Named Recipient of an AHA Honor Award

Dr. Kirch honored for academic medicine thought leadership

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 21, 2019) – The American Hospital Association (AHA) today announced that its 2019 Award of Honor will be presented to Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) for his leadership and contributions to academic medicine. The award, presented on April 8 at the AHA’s Annual Meeting, is given to individuals or organizations in recognition of exemplary contributions to the health and well-being of our nation through leadership on major health policy or social initiatives.

Dr. Kirch is recognized across the field as a well-respected physician, educator and medical scientist, having dedicated his career to transforming the nation’s health care system. In 2006, Dr. Kirch assumed the role of AAMC president and CEO. An ardent champion of the belief that evidence and ethics should guide academic medicine and the AAMC, Dr. Kirch accelerated the association’s efforts to increase health equity through public policy and innovation in medical education, scientific discovery, and health care delivery. He is also a passionate advocate for the well-being of the nation’s health professions workforce and serves as co-chair of the National Academy of Medicine Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience.

“Throughout his career, Dr. Kirch has recognized that the stronger residency training is, the better patient care will be now and in the future,” said Rick Pollack, AHA president and CEO. “He had the foresight to strengthen residency training, ensuring that the next generation of physician leaders will become our best ever. His tireless support of academic medicine has improved both the health care delivery system and the patient care experience.”

Prior to joining the AAMC, Dr. Kirch served as dean and academic health system leader of the Medical College of Georgia and Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Kirch conducted research on the biological basis of and clinical treatments for severe neuropsychiatric disorders at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), where he also served as acting scientific director. Dr. Kirch received the Outstanding Service Medal of the United States Public Health Service for his work at NIMH.

Dr. Kirch earned both his bachelor’s and medical degrees at the University of Colorado and completed his residency in psychiatry at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

Previous Award of Honor winners include Sister Carol Keehan, president and chief executive officer at Catholic Health Association of the United States; George Halvorson, chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente; and Donald M. Berwick, M.D., former administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and former president and CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

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Contact:         

Arika Trim, (202) 626-2319 atrim@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.