The American Hospital Association (AHA) announced that Rick Pollack would be the organization’s president and chief executive officer starting in September.
Pollack, 59, has worked for the AHA for 32 years and been the AHA’s executive vice president for advocacy and public policy since 1991. He will succeed Richard J. Umbdenstock, who has been AHA’s president and chief executive officer since January 2007. Umbdenstock is retiring at the end of the year.
Since the AHA’s founding in 1898, only 11 people have led the organization as president and chief executive officer.
Pollack has a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York’s College at Cortland and a master’s degree in public administration from the American University in Washington, D.C.
“Rick brings the right mix of skills to this role. His effective advocacy combined with his passion and commitment to the mission of hospitals and the men and women who work there will serve the association well,” AHA Chairman Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, said in a news release. “He will build on the many strengths of the past and ably lead the association into the future.”