Hospital group tabs Spokanite

Tue., Aug. 3, 2004

From staff reports

Richard Umbdenstock, president and chief executive officer of Spokane-based Providence Services, has been named chair-elect of the American Hospital Association’s board of trustees.

He will become chairman in 2006. At that time, he will be the top elected official of the nation’s largest hospital association. It is based in Chicago.

“Rich is the CEO of a highly successful multistate health system that has been a model for others because of its deep commitment to its mission of serving all communities, especially the poor,” said Washington State Hospital Association President Leo Greenawalt in a letter nominating Umbdenstock to the post. “Yet, because of excellent leadership, it has remained financially strong.”

As CEO of Providence Services, Umbdenstock, 53, oversees not only a system of nine hospitals but also nursing homes, home health agencies, a university and other organizations sponsored by the Sisters of Providence – Mother Joseph Province.

Umbdenstock also serves on the board of the Spokane Catholic Foundation and is board chair of Premier Inc., a hospital group purchasing alliance.

Umbdenstock said Monday that the most important issue for the American Hospital Association is achieving insurance coverage and access to health care for all Americans. Other important issues include appropriate payment to hospitals for their services and maintaining a qualified work force, he said.

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Hospital group tabs Spokanite

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