Governing Board Orientation Manual Washington State Hospital Association	Search:
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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Above all WSHA credits Linda Klein, former Director of Special Projects at the Washington Health Foundation and now a consultant, for gathering the varied material, contacting contributors, organizing and editing this project. WSHA also thanks the Washington Health Foundation for funding the work necessary to fulfill this objective of the WSHA Hospital Governing Boards Committee. Substantial portions of the manual were drawn from the Texas Healthcare Trustees Manual for Effective Hospital and Health System Governance, 3rd edition. We greatly appreciate the contribution of Mary Walker, Ph.D., RN, Executive Director, and the Texas Healthcare Trustees. The WSHA Hospital Governing Boards Committee provided essential feedback to the development of the trustee orientation manual. Special appreciation is given to Dennis Pointer, Ph.D. His philosophy and perspective on board effectiveness, including information from his newest book, Board Work, contributed to greater clarity of the material included in the manual. Others who provided important commentary included: Robb Menaul, Deirdre Ridgway, Andy Davidson, Brenda Suiter, Claudia Sanders, Ken White, Ph.D., and Beverly Simmons. The WSHA Governing Board Manual provides general guidance only. The manual does not provide legal advice. Readers may wish to consult legal counsel for particular legal questions. Reprinting or copying of any portion or all of this publication is expressly prohibited.

HOSPITAL GOVERNING BOARDS COMMITTEE

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PURPOSE AND GOALS Provide members of hospital governing boards with a forum for discussion and for presenting ideas to the Washington State Hospital Association Develop educational programs to inform members of governing boards about current issues affecting hospital management Promote and support governing bodies to greater responsiveness to community health needs and collaboration with other community organizations

WASHINGTON STATE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

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PURPOSE The purpose of the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) is to provide advocacy for and service to, its members. The Washington State Hospital Association takes a major leadership role in issues that affect delivery, quality, accessibility, affordability and continuity of health care. It accepts and shares responsibility for improving the health status of the citizens of Washington state. WSHA works with others in identifying and responding to critical health care issues. As the primary representative of hospitals, the Washington State Hospital Association and related organizations, plays an intermediary role between these organizations and the legislative and regulatory bodies. WSHA membership covers all members of the Governing Board, the Board chair and the administrator or CEO. WSHA GOALS Promote and support activities that improve community health status Promote the development of high quality, efficient and effective health delivery systems that are responsive to the needs of the communities they serve Act as a catalyst on a state and regional level for collaborative approaches to health care issues Serve the information and education needs of WSHA members, especially during transition to more highly integrated health systems Maintain a strong government relations program with an increased emphasis on regulatory lobbying Advocate for strong graduate and undergraduate medical education programs, other provider training and health related research that serve the needs of the reformed health system

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