FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marie Watteau, AHA, 202-626-2351
Lance Lunsford, THA, 512-465-1052
Chris Wilson, DFWHC, 972-719-4900
Irving, Texas (October 26, 2012) – The American Hospital Association (AHA), the Texas Hospital Association (THA) and the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council (DFWHC) today presented Rep. Pete Sessions, (R-Texas) the AHA Health Care Champion Award for his outstanding contributions to health care public policy.
“This award is a reflection of Rep. Sessions’ work on critical issues for hospitals and the patients they serve,” said Christopher J. Durovich, President and CEO Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and member of the AHA Board of Trustees. “Rep. Sessions understands the important role hospitals play in their community and he has been a strong advocate in helping hospitals maintain the resources necessary to continue providing services for patients and communities.”
Rep. Sessions has been a leading voice in opposing payment reductions to hospital services. He also has been active in supporting long term care hospitals in their mission to care for individuals with clinically complex problems.
“Rep. Sessions has been a tireless advocate for Texas hospitals and the patients they serve. He understands the challenges facing the health care delivery system and is always willing to work with his colleagues in Congress to address these challenges,” said Dan Stultz, M.D., FACP, FACHE, THA president/CEO. “Rep. Sessions is very deserving of this award, and hospitals appreciate his ongoing leadership.”
“Rep. Sessions understands health care issues facing patients and providers,” said W. Stephen Love, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council (DFWHC). “North Texas hospitals appreciate his leadership in supporting their mission of providing the best clinical care for patients.”
Rep. Sessions is Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and has served as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee since 2008.
About the AHA
The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include almost 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks and other providers of care and 42,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information visit the Web site at www.aha.org.
About the THA
Founded in 1930, THA is the leadership organization and principal advocate for the state’s hospitals and health care systems. Based in Austin, THA enhances its members’ abilities to improve accessibility, quality and cost-effectiveness of health care for all Texans. One of the largest hospital associations in the country, THA represents more than 445 of the state’s 584 acute-care hospitals and health care systems, which employ approximately 369,000 health care professionals statewide. Learn more about THA at www.tha.org or follow THA on Twitter @texashospitals.
About DFWHC
For four decades, DFWHC has been committed to the improvement of healthcare. DFWHC’s 80 member hospitals and 80 associate members span a 100-mile radius across North Texas. Governed by a 13-member board, the hospital trade association is committed to the continuous improvement of patient care. DFWHC provides educational sessions, networking opportunities and competitive intelligence. To learn more, please go to www.dfwhc.org.