Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association CEO Announces Retirement
John Rivers, president and CEO of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) has announced that he will retire on Jan. 13, 2011, his 65th birthday. Rivers, who has led the hospital advocacy organization since 1986, announced his retirement plans to the Association’s Board of Directors on Oct. 22. As AzHHA’s CEO, Rivers also serves as a member of its Board of Directors and as president of the AzHHA Education Foundation and its Service Corporation.
The Association’s Board of Directors has appointed a committee that will conduct the search for a new CEO. The committee will be comprised of AzHHA’s 2010 officers as well as two past Association chairmen. It includes:
- Dan F. Ausman, AzHHA secretary-treasurer & president, Abrazo Health Care, Phoenix;
- Norman A. Botsford, AzHHA 2010 chairman & healthcare consultant, Tucson;
- Dan Coleman, past AzHHA chairman & retired health system CEO, Prescott;
- Thomas C. Dickson, FACHE, immediate past chairman & CEO, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, Glendale;
- Bruce Pearson, FACHE, AzHHA chairman elect & executive vice president/CEO, John C. Lincoln Hospitals, Phoenix; and
- Brian Turney, past AzHHA chairman & president and CEO, Kingman Regional Medical Center.
“I have enjoyed tremendous support from the AzHHA board,” Rivers said. “Their commitment to high quality healthcare in Arizona has allowed the Association to accomplish much on behalf of hospitals and the people they serve.”
During Rivers’ tenure at AzHHA, the Association led several successful ballot initiatives to increase tobacco taxes and expand access to healthcare services for the poor. He also has played an active role in shaping the American Hospital Association’s (AHA’s) health policy agenda.
Prior to joining the Association in March 1986, Rivers served eight years as regional director of the AHA in Kansas City, Missouri. He also was a lobbyist for AHA in Washington, D.C., and served as legislative assistant to a U.S. Congressman.
Active in numerous civic and community activities, Rivers serves as a member of the:
- Phoenix 100 Rotary Club;
- Gift of Life Board of Directors;
- Campaign Cabinet for the Valley of the Sun United Way;
- Board of Directors for Central Arizona Shelter Services; and
- United Blood Services Community Leadership Council.
###