Press Release

Sandra Bennett Bruce to Receive AHA Board of Trustees Award

WASHINGTON (April 5, 2016) – The American Hospital Association (AHA) today announced that Sandra Bennett Bruce, past president and CEO, Presence Health, Chicago, will be awarded its 2016 Board of Trustees Award. The award is presented to individuals or groups who have made substantial and noteworthy contributions to the work of the AHA. Bruce will receive the award at a ceremony at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting on Monday, May 2 in Washington, D.C.

“Sandy’s leadership and commitment to health care that meets the needs of underprivileged and underserved patients inspires us all,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “Her contributions to AHA’s policy and governance goals and her continuing advocacy for quality health care are an impressive legacy.”

Bruce retired in September of 2015, celebrating a 40-year career in health care. She led health systems in Michigan, Idaho and Illinois. In 2011, Bruce spearheaded the merger of two financially struggling health systems in Chicago, creating Presence Health, with more than 150 locations, including 12 hospitals, 22,000 employees and 4,000 physicians on its medical staffs.

Bruce is committed to improving health care on a national level. She chaired the AHA Section for Long Term Care and Rehabilitation Governing Council and served on the Section for Health Care Systems. Additionally, Bruce served on two AHA Regional Policy Bards, as well as the Committee on Nominations, the Commission on Workforce and the Equity of Care Committee.

She has chaired boards of the Catholic Health Association, the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, and the Idaho Hospital Association. She also served on the board of directors for the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago and was the chair-elect of the Illinois Hospital Association. Her civic contributions include serving on the board of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce.

Bruce received a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich. and a master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.

Michael G. Rock, M.D., professor of orthopedic surgery at Mayo Clinic Foundation, in Rochester, Minn. also will receive the 2016 Board of Trustees Award. Rock was formerly the chief medical officer at Mayo Clinic Hospitals/Mayo Foundation.

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.