OAHHS Spring Summer 2019

4 » A magazine for and about Oregon Community Hospitals. i f r t r it s it ls. To that end, I let the OAHHS Governance Committee and the full Board of Trustees know late last year that I intend to hand over the reins of the association to its next leader in December 2019. I chose a long lead time because it is very important to me that, after more than 13 years at the helm, the board has ample time to develop and execute a one-year leadership transition plan. That plan has been approved and is in motion. The Leadership Transition Committee is now in the early stages of an extensive search with the goal of having a new leader chosen and in place by the end of 2019. Our current and incoming board chairs are committed to engaging members and stakeholders in the search process and to providing regular updates to the full membership throughout the year. Meanwhile, Oregon hospitals have a great deal of policy, advocacy, and program work ahead at both the state and federal levels. We began the 2019 legislative session with a clear policy agenda that included full Medicaid funding, behavioral health system improvements, and worker safety. We are also more than mid-way through our quality and safety program integration with the Washington State Hospital Association which is due to be completed this fall. There is simply too much important work to do on behalf of Oregon’s hospitals for me and the organization to coast, with issues that can’t be put on the back burner while our new leader is selected. We have been working at full speed in 2019. My father was often asked for advice when someone was considering a change in career. He offered two maxims. First, always leave when the organization is at its best. Second, never leave without someplace else to go. Well, I can tell you that number one is covered. Both the board and I feel that OAHHS has never been stronger than it is today. Staff, infrastructure, resources, and member engagement are all aligned. As for number two, having a place to go, let’s just say Margot and I are working on that. The possibilities emerging are very exciting! I love the work we do together and interacting with each of you is what keeps me coming back every morning. And I remain confident of one very important notion that is the cornerstone of association work: If we all keep rowing in the same direction, we will get where we want to go! Andy Davidson President & CEO Oregon Association of Hospitals & Health Systems To find out more about your community hospitals, please visit us online at www.oahhs.org. A year and a half ago, my wife Margot and I became empty nesters. As our three very capable kids were launched into the world, we began to imagine what the next chapter of our lives might look like.