AHA, NUL event prepares leaders for hospital board roles

The AHA and the National Urban League hosted a two-day educational event on “The Role of the Trustee in the Face of Rapidly Changing Trends in Healthcare.” During the event, which took place yesterday and today in New Orleans, NUL Affiliate CEOs received an overview of health care governance, as well as trends and issues facing hospitals and their boards. Among other presenters were AHA Board Chairman Gene Woods, president and CEO of Carolinas HealthCare System; AHA Board Member Vanessa Ervin, trustee at Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC; and former AHA Board Chair Teri Fontenot, president and CEO of Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, LA. The AHA and the NUL in April announced an alliance to advance health equity and diversity in health care leadership in communities across the U.S. The organizations are collaborating on efforts to connect hospital and health system CEOs with local Urban League leaders interested in opportunities to serve on governing boards at hospitals and health systems; developing resources for the field and sharing best practices on community health worker programs; and promoting shared policy solutions to persistent challenges that affect the health of vulnerable communities.