Resource Library

Sue Ellen Wagner and James Liggins, Jr., board chair, Bronson Healthcare System and 2025 Committee on Governance chair on what lies ahead for boards.

Diversity, Equity and InclusionYes, Diversity Still MattersAHA’s Governance Survey shows room for growth for board diversityBy Karma H. BassThe rate of hospital and health system affiliations and mergers is projected to increase as organizations struggle in the aftermath of COVID-19.

Lawrence General Hospital provides high-quality care to some of the state’s most vulnerable patients by making health equity a strategic priority.

Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion The Time is Right to Invest in Women’s Health How Trustees can take focused action on improving the quality of women’s health care By Priya Bathija The World Economic Forum identified the investment in improving women’s health as vital to creating a “healthier, more equita

Health Diversity, Equity and Inclusion The Importance of Indian Health Care Services Trustee Tony Davis provides unique perspective on the state of Indian Health Services By Sue Ellen Wagner Interview Sue Ellen Wagner, vice president, trustee engagement and strategy at the American Hospital Association,

Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Health Equity Crosses All Board Responsibilities Proactive Steps to Take to Ensure Health Equity Remains a Key Focus By Linda Summers COVID-19 exposed truths that were buried below the many competing challenges of the health care industry.

Board Composition & Selection The New BoardThink: In Search of Cognitive Diversity Accelerating Board Innovation and Performance via Cognitive Diversity By Jena Abernathy Boards are becoming more diverse — both in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

Understanding a board’s aptitude and ability to advance health equity should be a key element of board strategy.

The AHA has partnered with UnidosUS and the National Urban League to create a program that matches member hospitals with community leaders to increase diverse representation on hospital and health system boards.

Open discussion, continued engagement and genuine effort can support meaningful and sustainable change for board diversity efforts.

Starting discussion in the boardroom about diversity and inclusion can support and accelerate board diversity efforts at health care organizations.

Effecting genuine change through executive leadership, board support, creativity and commitment can accelerate diversity efforts.

Focusing on specific strategies and practices will support diverse recruitment on health care boards.

Adding diverse members to a hospital’s or health system’s board can change the board’s culture for the better.