Mass General Brigham’s Dr. Anne Klibanski Elected as the Association’s 85^th Chair;
Governor Maura Healey Delivers Annual Healthcare Address

BURLINGTON, MA – January 30, 2026 – The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA), the united voice for the commonwealth’s hospitals and health systems, held its 2026 Annual Meeting this past Thursday (January 29) in Boston. The Annual Meeting serves as the association’s flagship event for the commonwealth’s top healthcare leaders, policymakers, and influencers to discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the provider community.

As the association celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, the event explored the current state of healthcare in Massachusetts through the perspectives of hospital and health system leaders, state policymakers, business advocates, and other key voices, with a clear focus on charting a path forward through innovation. Speakers addressed the sector’s ongoing recovery following years of mounting pressures, discussing the meaningful progress that has been made and the need to “move past the status quo” to strengthen the system’s resilience and global leadership. The program featured an address from Governor Maura Healey, insights from hospital CEOs, and forward-looking discussions on sustainability, innovation, economic competitiveness, and how healthcare must continue to evolve to meet the needs of patients and communities.

In her annual healthcare address, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey applauded healthcare as a cornerstone of the commonwealth’s economy and quality of life, citing Massachusetts’ national and global leadership in healthcare and life sciences innovation. She reaffirmed the state’s position as the best place to receive care, emphasizing affordability measures as essential to strengthening the health safety net and protecting patients.

“As a state we worked hard to protect patients—whether that was through funding and providing reproductive care, guaranteeing vaccine access, or protecting affordable coverage through the health connector,” Healey said, echoing state’s commitment to leading with innovation and action. Governor Healey was presented with MHA’s 2026 Health and Hospital Hero Award for her many years of extraordinary patient advocacy, caregiver support, and partnership with the healthcare community.

Throughout the day, conversations reinforced the need to support healthcare workers and underscored sector’s critical role as an economic driver for communities across the commonwealth. That theme was highlighted by a new MHA report detailing the economic and community impact of the healthcare ecosystem in Massachusetts, which generates $94 billion in annual economic activity and supports more than 452,000 jobs across sectors statewide. The report also highlights broader trends shaping the sector, including workforce growth, ongoing expansion innovative care, and hospitals’ role in strengthening local communities and public health.

As a part of the proceedings, Anne Klibanki, M.D., president and CEO of Mass General Brigham, was elected as the 85^th Chair of MHA’s Board of Trustees. She succeeds Michael Lauf, president and CEO of Cape Cod Healthcare.

“Healthcare is undergoing profound change, and meeting this moment requires partnership, clarity of purpose, and a commitment to the patients and communities we serve,” said Mass General Brigham President and CEO Anne Klibanksi, M.D. “I’m honored to step into the role of MHA Board Chair and to represent Mass General Brigham in this work. The integration of our system, bringing together exceptional clinicians and teams across MGB’s hospitals, demonstrates what aligned, patient-centered care can achieve. Together with MHA and our colleagues statewide, we will advance research, innovation, and high-quality care for all Massachusetts residents.”

“Dr. Klibanski’s leadership exemplifies the profound promise of healthcare for today’s world – from lifesaving research breakthroughs to care that extends far beyond hospital walls,” said MHA president and CEO Steve Walsh. “We are honored that she will serve as MHA’s 2026 board chair as our members take on an ambitious agenda to build a more innovative, resilient system for local patients and healthcare workers.” 

Looking ahead, MHA and its board will remain focused on furthering Massachusetts’ legacy as a global healthcare innovator, leveraging joint initiatives, cross-sector partnerships, and smart public policy to pursue improvements that make care more accessible and cost-effective for patients. They will also continue to address the persistent challenges facing hospitals and health systems with a united front by championing strategies and solutions that help maintain care services, protect safety net care, and alleviate strains on workers.

In addition to Klibanski’s election as Board Chair, MHA welcomed new board members:

• Edward H. Moore, President of UMass Memorial Health – Harrington Hospital
• Diana L. Richardson, President and CEO of Merrimack Health
• Elsie Taveras, MD, MPH, Chief Community Health and Health Equity Officer at Mass General Brigham

MHA also presented awards to healthcare leaders and advocates:

• The William L. Lane Hospital Advocate Award was presented to Denise Schepici for more than 30 years of local healthcare leadership, most recently president of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and Windemere Nursing & Rehabilitation Center from 2018-2025. The William L. Lane Hospital Advocate Award was established in 2004 to embody the spirit of William Lane, who served as a hospital CEO for more than 30 years and was among the most ardent advocates for hospitals in the commonwealth’s history.
• The Stephen Hegarty Memorial Award was presented to Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA). Named in honor of former MHA President Stephen Hegarty, a steadfast advocate for high-quality, accessible healthcare, the award recognizes individuals whose leadership has significantly advanced hospitals and patient care. A 43-year AHA veteran and CEO for more than a decade, Pollack led the association through the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthened the healthcare workforce, advanced quality and patient safety, and built a national advocacy network that has expanded access and improved coverage for millions of Americans.
• MHA recognized the role of Chief Human Resources Leaders throughout Massachusetts hospitals and health systems. HR leaders, recognized as the “people behind the people,” were credited for supporting the fast-evolving needs of today’s healthcare workers and creating pathways for new employees of all backgrounds – especially as workforce shortages continue to strain the system. Massachusetts hospitals added 10,000 new jobs over the past five years and are taking nation-leading steps to support and grow their dedicated base of employees.

For more information about this year’s Annual Meeting, visit this link.