Richard J. Pollack MPA

Richard Pollack is president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA), the nation’s largest hospital and health care system membership organization with nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health care systems, networks, and other providers of care.

Rick came to the AHA in 1982 and assumed the top leadership position in 2015, where he is widely recognized as having a reputation for playing an integral role in influencing key healthcare policy issues for more than three decades. As president and CEO, Rick leads the association in representing hospitals and health systems in shaping the healthcare landscape, representing the nation’s hospitals on advocacy issues, and developing strategies and tools to help members provide better care to the patients and communities they serve.

As America battled the COVID-19 pandemic, Rick led the AHA team and the hospital field in securing resources, guidance and regulatory flexibility as hospitals and health systems continued to care for their patients and communities during this historic public health crisis.

Rick has also been a leader in efforts to expand health coverage, taking part in many broad-based national coalitions that have ultimately led to coverage expansions. He also played a key role in supporting and leading the association’s efforts to address improving quality and patient safety, eliminate disparities in care, and promote diversity in the healthcare field.

As the CEO, he also serves on the AHA Board of Trustees, and the Board of Directors of the Coalition to Protect America’s Health Care. Rick also serves on the steering committees for the National Academy of Medicine Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-being and Resilience, and the Action Collaborative on Decarbonizing the U.S. Health Sector. In addition, he is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, and the Special Medical Advisory Group to the Secretary of the U. S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

Rick began his career in Washington, D.C., in 1976, as a legislative assistant to Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin. He left Capitol Hill to become a legislative representative for the American Nurses Association. He also previously served as AHA’s vice president for legislation and executive vice president for advocacy and public policy.

Rick holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from the State University of New York College at Cortland. He also earned a master’s degree in public administration from American University.