Burlington (March 9,2017) –Keith Hovan, chair of the board of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA), announced today that Lynn Nicholas, FACHE will retire at the end of 2017.
Since 2007, Nicholas has served as chief strategist for Massachusetts hospitals and health systems. She was appointed to numerous key advisory groups and served on three special commissions dealing with the rapid transformation of healthcare from a fee-for-service environment to one focused on accountable care and population health. Massachusetts’ model for health coverage and related public policies became the template for the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
A strong proponent of public health and wellness,Nicholas, after spearheading MHA’s “Healing Inside and Out: Massachusetts Tobacco Free Hospitals”, went on to lead MHA to become the Commonwealth’s first employer not to hire tobacco users, a practice since adopted by several of MHA’s members. These efforts and more earned her and the Association several awards and recognitions. MHA was also recognized five consecutive years as a “Healthiest Small Employer”in the greater Boston area, after capturing first place for that title in 2011.
Under her leadership, MHA’s board convened a statewide expert panel to draft guidelines to use in the safe dispensing of opioids; those guidelines have since been adopted by all member hospital emergency departments. MHA is currently working with EDs across the state to implement a care management information system to better coordinate care for patients affected by substance use disorder. Nicholas also founded “Behavioral Health –The Unfinished Agenda of Reform”, a large-scale collaborative comprised of providers, payers, employers,and patient advocates committed to improving the system of care in Massachusetts for patients and families affected by mental illness.
Aside from her passion for healthcare policy, Nicholas is known for leadership in supporting and promoting the careers of women and young professionals in healthcare and beyond. A board-certified fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, she served on ACHE’s national board from 2003 to 2006 and has received both their Early Careerist and Senior Level Healthcare Executive Regent’s award.
“For the past decade as president and CEO of the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Lynn has been among the most influential voices on healthcare policy and strategy in the Commonwealth,” Hovan said. “She has worked collaboratively and tirelessly to protect access to high-quality, affordable healthcare for patients. Under Lynn’s leadership, MHA has provided an equal voice to all patients and providers no matter the circumstances. On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, we all wish Lynn a most deserving retirement filled with happiness and health.”
The healthcare environment, already complex, is entering an unprecedented period of challenge and transformation. To ensure the continuity of capable policy leadership and executive management, the Board also announced the formation of a search committee that will work with Witt/Kieffer to conduct a nationwide search to find Nicholas’ replacement.
About the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA):
The Massachusetts Health &Hospital Association (MHA) is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization comprised of hospitals, health systems, caregivers, related organizations, and other members with a common interest in promoting the good health of the people of the commonwealth. Through leadership in public advocacy, education, and information, MHA represents and advocates for the collective interests of its members and supports their efforts to provide high quality, cost effective and accessible care.