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AHA Announces Leadership Appointments to Expand Focus on Health Equity, Workforce

Analysis  |  By Melanie Blackman  
   December 18, 2020

Joy Lewis and Robyn Begley, RN receive expanded responsibilities to focus on the organization's efforts to 'make healthcare more accessible to their communities.'

The American Hospital Association (AHA) announced two leadership appointments Thursday to expand the organization's focus on health equity and workforce strategies. 

Joy Lewis, who previously served as AHA’s vice president for strategic policy planning, has been promoted to serve as senior vice president for health equity strategies, a newly created role for the association. She will also serve as executive director of the Institute for Diversity and Health Equity.

According to AHA, Lewis will focus on issues surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) "to support and build healthy communities." Additionally, she will lead strategy and implementation of initiatives and programs around DEI to "reduce disparities" and promote "just and equitable healthcare."

Robyn Begley, RN, CEO of the American Organization of Nursing Leadership (AONL), and AHA Chief Nursing Officer, will have expanded duties overseeing the organization's workforce strategies. Begley will also oversee workforce and clinical affairs for the association.

Begley will focus on leading the creation of workforce "development of resources, research, and tools," and oversee the AHA Physician Alliance and its Committee on Clinical Leadership. She will continue to oversee the Hospitals Against Violence initiative which focuses on "addressing all forms of violence affecting staff" and patients.

Both Lewis and Begley will serve on the association's executive management team.

"An association reflects its members’ priorities. While issues related to health equity and workforce have been front and center for years, the pandemic has underscored their importance in new ways," Rick Pollack, CEO of the AHA, said in a press release. "This leadership realignment reflects our commitment to pursuing focused and coordinated strategies to help our members as they make health care more accessible to their communities."

Melanie Blackman is a contributing editor for strategy, marketing, and human resources at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.


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