Legislator of the Year and Grassroots Champion award winners revealed
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release │ Oct. 17, 2024
Media Contact: Holly Ward │602-445-4327 │[email protected]
Phoenix, Ariz. (Oct. 17, 2024) — The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA), an organization that brings together diverse voices to advance health and healthcare in Arizona, announced today the winners of two health champion awards.
Senator David Gowan (R-Dist. 19) was awarded the 2024 Legislator of the Year Award during today’s 2024 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference in Tucson. The award honors the steadfast commitment of a public servant who has gone above and beyond in championing the needs of Arizona’s hospitals.
“Senator Gowan has demonstrated exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to healthcare in his district and throughout the state,” said Damien Johnson, director of government relations for AzHHA. “He is not just a policymaker; he is a bridge-builder and a dealmaker who works across the aisle always keeping his constituents and Arizona hospitals at the forefront of his efforts.”
AzHHA convened over 200 hospital and healthcare leaders during its premiere annual leadership event at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson this week.
AzHHA also presented the 2024 Grassroots Champion Award to Danny Smith, Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center’s director of marketing and community relations and executive director of the Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center Foundation Board.
The Grassroots Champion Award honors a hospital leader from an American Hospital Association (AHA) member organization in each state who excels at building strong relationships with lawmakers and their staff and works tirelessly to advocate for the well-being of patients, hospitals and the communities they serve.
“Danny is an exceptional honoree who is a true champion for rural Arizona healthcare,” said Susan Doherty, vice president, field engagement for the AHA. “He brought hope and progress to our healthcare community, from garnishing support from rural business communities to advocating for hospitals with elected officials.”
“Leaders like Senator Gowan and Danny Smith exemplify the impact and passion of our healthcare champions, bringing their work into the spotlight as we all work towards our shared purpose in advancing Arizona’s healthcare system,” said Ann-Marie Alameddin, president and CEO of AzHHA.
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About the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
AzHHA is the association giving Arizona hospitals a voice to collectively build better healthcare and health for Arizonans. As the champion for healthcare leadership in Arizona, AzHHA and its member hospitals explore ideas and take collaborative action at the state capitol, in hospitals and at home to attain the best healthcare outcomes for our community. Above all else, we put people and patients first through Better Care, Better Health and Lower Costs. Visit https://www.azhha.org for more information.