The American Hospital Association (AHA) has named Tim Garrity, President and CEO of Blue Hill Memorial Hospital (BHMH), Maine’s “Grassroots Champion” for 2006. The award, created last year by the AHA in conjunction with the state hospital associations, honors one leader from each state for exceptional leadership in generating grassroots and community involvement in support of a hospital’s mission. As recipient of the award, Garrity will be recognized May 8 at the American Hospital Association’s Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.
Steven Michaud, President of the Maine Hospital Association (MHA), said: "Tim has shown extraordinary leadership in advocating on behalf of BHMH and all hospitals at both the state and national level. With Medicare and Medicaid funding for hospitals eroding and the very existence of rural healthcare providers threatened, there has never been a more important time for effective advocacy. Tim provides that advocacy in a focused and effective way. This award recognizes and celebrates that."
"I'm very grateful for the award,” states Garrity, “and see it as recognition for the work of a large network of people within the hospital family and our community. Our Board members and the volunteers who serve on the Hospital’s Legislative Affairs Committee give generously of their time, energy and expertise to ensure that our local state representatives understand the issues affecting healthcare.”
BHMH’s leaders have been active in recent negotiations with the state to resolve the MaineCare debt owed to hospitals and in resolving the problems imposed on rural hospitals by tax-and-match policies. According to Charles Hatfield, Chair of the Legislative Action Committee, “Tim has succeeded in raising the profile of both BHMH and Maine hospitals with the Baldacci government. He is an extremely thoughtful and articulate spokesman, and the Award reflects his effectiveness. It’s well deserved.”
BHMH is actively involved with the Maine Hospital Association (MHA), an Augusta-based non-profit that serves as the primary advocate for hospitals in the Maine State Legislature, the U.S. Congress and state and federal regulatory agencies.
Founded in 1924, Blue Hill Memorial Hospital is dedicated to providing primary and selected specialty healthcare of outstanding quality, caring for our patients with respect and compassion, and improving the health of the communities it serves. BHMH is a member hospital of EMHS, which advocates on behalf of our communities with an integrated, tireless and passionate voice at the state level. |
|
