The Massachusetts Hospital Association (MHA) voted in a new slate of board members during the groups annual meeting today in Chatham. Ellen M. Zane, MA, President and CEO of Tufts Medical Center in Boston, became the 69th chair of MHA's Board of Trustees, and the Association's leadership team was announced for 2009-2010. Joining Zane are:

- Dennis D. Keefe, Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge Health Alliance, who will serve as Chair-Elect (equivalent to vice-chairman) - Lowell General Hospital President and CEO Normand E. Deschene, FACHE, as Treasurer - Peter L. Slavin, MD, President, Massachusetts General Hospital, Secretary

Dale M. Lodge, President and CEO of Winchester Hospital is now MHA's Immediate Past Chair and Robert G. Norton, President and CEO, North Shore Medical Center (NSMC), Immediate Past Chair Most Recently Retired.

In addition, a newly created board seat for a healthcare leader from outside the provider community will be filled by Richard C. Lord, President and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM).

'As we move forward into the next fiscal year, MHA is exceptionally fortunate to be moving from strength to strength, said Association President and CEO Lynn Nicholas, FACHE. 'While I am always impressed with the quality of MHA's board of Trustees, this year's slate of candidates is truly exceptional. Of particular note is our addition of an at-large board seat for a non-hospital stakeholder. I'm delighted that Rick Lord will be the first person to serve on our board in this capacity His perspective as a business leader will be invaluable.'

Lord accepted his latest new role with enthusiasm. 'I am impressed with MHA's efforts to literally - bring all players to the table, he said. I look forward to providing additional business and employer-focused perspective to the hospital association's board, and to working collaboratively with our world-class healthcare providers, especially as we enter the next phase of health care reform including transparency and value based purchasing.'

MHA board members also elected Chairs for the Association's standing committees: - Paul F. Levy, President and CEO, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Chair of the Clinical Issues Advisory Council (CIAC) - Patrick L. Muldoon, FACHE, President and CEO, HealthAlliance Hospitals, Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance (SCOF) - Joseph J. Mullany, President and CEO, Vanguard Health Systems New England Market, Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Affairs (SCOPA) - Gail Allen, Esq., Board Chair, HealthAlliance Hospitals, Inc., Chair of the Trustee Advisory Council (TAC).

Joining the board in other at-large capacities are:

Allied Position: Elizabeth A. Cadigan, RN, MSN, President, Massachusetts Organization of Nurse Executives Trustees-at-large: - Charles D. Gijanto, President, Baystate Franklin Medical Center - Richard Aubut, R.N., President and CEO, South Shore Health and Educational Corporation - John G. Albert, FACHE, Executive Director, Kindred Healthcare, Inc. - Paul J. Andrews, Board Chair, Winchester Hospital - Peter J. Holden, President and CEO, Jordan Hospital, Inc. - Delia O'Connor, President and CEO, Anna Jaques Hospital - David E. Storto, President, Partners Continuing Care

The new board members above join Lynn Nicholas and the following current members of the MHA Board: - Walter H. Ettinger, MD, President and CEO, UMass Memorial Medical Center - Vincent J. McCorkle, FACHE, President and CEO, Sisters of Providence Health System - Richard T. Palmisano, President and CEO, North Adams Regional Hospital - David E. Phelps, Chief Executive Officer, Berkshire Health Systems - John W. Polanowicz, President and CEO, Marlborough Hospital - Francis M. Saba, Chief Executive Officer, Milford Regional Healthcare System - Michael V. Sack, President and CEO, Hallmark Health Corporation - Peter Siersma, MD, PhD, Trustee, Cooley Dickinson Hospital - Richard P. Ward, Esq., Board Chair, Milton Hospital

Also at the annual meeting, Winchester Hospital Board members Paul Andrews and Jane Walsh received the Trustee Excellence in Leadership Award for their work on behalf of that organization, and James Mongan, MD, President and CEO of Partners HealthCare, received the William L. Lane Hospital Advocate Award.