Lofton, Umbdenstock, Garner win ACHE Awards

The American College of Healthcare Executives gave its highest awards this year to Kevin Lofton, CEO of Catholic Health Initiatives, based in Englewood, Colo., and Richard Umbdenstock, CEO of the American Hospital Association. Both leaders have piloted their organizations during one of the most turbulent eras in the hospital industry's history.

Lofton took the reins of CHI in 2003. During his tenure, the system has grown to 105 hospitals in 18 states. In recent years, CHI boldly ventured onto the broader terrain of system integration by acquiring a commercial insurer and a Medicare Advantage plan.

Umbdenstock, who has ably represented the hospital sector in Washington and in forums across the U.S. since 2007, used his position to rally the hospital sector in support of the Affordable Care Act, which vastly improved Americans' access to health insurance. He is a champion of the many roles hospitals play, whether it is providing a vital service or being the economic engine of their communities. Late last year, Umbdenstock announced plans to retire from the AHA at the end of this year.

The ACHE also named Mario Garner, CEO of New Orleans Hospital East—which opened in 2014—as this year's recipient of its Robert S. Hudgens Memorial Award for Young Healthcare Executive of the Year. Last year, Modern Healthcare also named Garner one of its 12 Up & Comers for 2014, a program that recognizes accomplished executives age 40 or under.

All three, profiled in this special section, will be feted during the ACHE's annual Congress on Healthcare Leadership set for March 16-19 in Chicago. The theme for this year's gathering is “Healthcare in Motion; Leadership Center Stage.”

“Leadership matters,” says ACHE CEO Deborah Bowen, “especially as providers move from volume-based healthcare to value-based care.”

This year's Congress will focus on top hospital executives' role in improving outcomes, boosting the patient experience and cutting costs. Among the leading speakers will be Dr. Christine Cassel, CEO of the National Quality Forum, who will discuss how healthcare quality measurement is accelerating change in the industry.

Other speakers include Stuart Rothenberg, editor and publisher of the Rothenberg Political Report, who will give his view of the politics and policy landscape for healthcare; and Ravi Ramamurti, a professor of international business and strategy and director of the Center for Emerging Markets at Northeastern University in Boston, who will give a presentation titled “Delivering world-class healthcare affordably: Lessons from India.”

Follow David May on Twitter: @MHdmay