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AHA Announces New President and CEO, Rick Pollack

By Jacqueline DiChiara

- Rick Pollack will be the next President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Hospital Association (AHA), announces AHA’s Board of Trustees. This September, Pollack will formally replace Richard J. Umbdenstock. Umbdenstock is set to retire later this year.

Rick Pollack

Pollack, the 11th individual within the AHA’s 117-year history to hold such a title, was AHA’s Executive Vice President for Advocacy and Public Policy for nearly the past quarter decade. Pollack was involved with one of the most instrumental and valuable lobbying organizations throughout Washington, according to AHA.

“Rick brings the right mix of skills to this role,” states AHA Chairman Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, President of Clinical Services and Chief Medical Officer of the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). “His effective advocacy combined with his passion and commitment to the mission of hospitals and the men and women who work there will serve the association well,” Perlin confirms.

Pollack received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Communications from the State University of New York’s College at Cortland and a master’s degree in Public Administration from American University. Following work as a Legislative Assistant, Brooklyn native Pollack became a lobbyist with the American Nurses Association before working for AHA’s advocacy team. After serving as Associate Director for Legislation, Pollack consecutively served as Vice President for Federal Relations and Deputy Director in addition to serving as Executive Vice President.

Founded in 1898, the AHA includes 5,000 hospitals, healthcare systems, and healthcare networks and a total of 43,000 individual members.