Braintree, Mass. – The Massachusetts Council of Community Hospitals (MCCH) announces Steven Walsh as its new executive director. Walsh currently serves as State Representative for the 11th Essex District and is the House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. He will begin his new role at MCCH in March.
“Steve will ensure that MCCH continues to advocate for the advancement of community medicine and community hospitals throughout the state,” said Donald Thieme, who has served as executive director for the past 12 years.
Formed in 1991, MCCH is a non-profit corporation that advocates for the Commonwealth’s community hospitals, which play a vital role in providing convenient, high-quality health care at a reasonable cost. Massachusetts community hospitals care for 50% of acute care patients in the Commonwealth. MCCH consists of 17 community hospitals from throughout the state.
“Steve will ensure that MCCH continues to advocate for the advancement of community medicine and community hospitals throughout the state,” said Donald Thieme, who has served as executive director for the past 12 years.
Formed in 1991, MCCH is a non-profit corporation that advocates for the Commonwealth’s community hospitals, which play a vital role in providing convenient, high-quality health care at a reasonable cost. Massachusetts community hospitals care for 50% of acute care patients in the Commonwealth. MCCH consists of 17 community hospitals from throughout the state.
“I am honored to have been selected by the board to lead such an outstanding organization,” said Walsh. “Community hospitals are the backbone of our local health care system, providing high-quality and easily-accessible care. A strong community hospital system means a healthier Commonwealth, not only for our patients but for our state and local economy. I look forward to working with our member hospitals on new and exciting possibilities.”
Walsh was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in November of 2002. In 2011, he was appointed as Chairman of the House Committee on Health Care Financing. Named by the Boston Globe as a 2012 Bostonian of the Year, Walsh oversaw the drafting and passage of the Commonwealth’s landmark health care payment reform law. Prior to his public service, Walsh led a local non-profit organization and ran a successful law practice. The Lynn native graduated from Wesleyan University before earning his law degree at the New England School of Law and his Master’s in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
“Steve’s extensive legislative and health care experience will be a tremendous asset to MCCH,” said Kevin Smith, President of MCCH and President and CEO of Winchester Hospital. “Steve recognizes the importance of our hospitals as stewards of community health and essential stabilizing factors in the economic viability of the cities and towns where they are located. He is the ideal leader for our organization.”
“Chairman Walsh has been a tireless advocate for the people of the Eleventh Essex District,” House Speaker Robert. A DeLeo said. “I appreciate the contributions he made to the House of Representatives, particularly as a national leader on the issue of health care cost containment. I wish him all the best in his new role at the Massachusetts Council of Community Hospitals.”
For more information about the Massachusetts Council of Community Hospitals, please call (781) 356-5653.
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Walsh was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in November of 2002. In 2011, he was appointed as Chairman of the House Committee on Health Care Financing. Named by the Boston Globe as a 2012 Bostonian of the Year, Walsh oversaw the drafting and passage of the Commonwealth’s landmark health care payment reform law. Prior to his public service, Walsh led a local non-profit organization and ran a successful law practice. The Lynn native graduated from Wesleyan University before earning his law degree at the New England School of Law and his Master’s in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
“Steve’s extensive legislative and health care experience will be a tremendous asset to MCCH,” said Kevin Smith, President of MCCH and President and CEO of Winchester Hospital. “Steve recognizes the importance of our hospitals as stewards of community health and essential stabilizing factors in the economic viability of the cities and towns where they are located. He is the ideal leader for our organization.”
“Chairman Walsh has been a tireless advocate for the people of the Eleventh Essex District,” House Speaker Robert. A DeLeo said. “I appreciate the contributions he made to the House of Representatives, particularly as a national leader on the issue of health care cost containment. I wish him all the best in his new role at the Massachusetts Council of Community Hospitals.”
For more information about the Massachusetts Council of Community Hospitals, please call (781) 356-5653.
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