OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Jim Gebhart, president and regional strategy officer of Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City, was recently appointed to represent the state of Oklahoma on the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Region 7 Policy Board.
AHA has nine regional policy boards that meet three times a year to assess and evaluate issues of concern within the health care industry and recommend ways that AHA can address those issues through advocacy efforts. Region 7 includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
“The health care industry is constantly changing and becoming more complex,” said Gebhart. “Serving on the regional policy board is a huge honor because I will help shape how AHA responds to and promotes federal legislation on health issues that affect patients throughout Oklahoma and across the country.”
The policy boards help AHA develop policy positions, shape advocacy strategies, identify emerging problems and guide operations of the national association, which represents and serves hospitals, health care networks, patients and communities throughout the United States.
Board members also identify needs that are unique to their particular regions and help develop programs to address those needs. Input from the regional policy boards goes directly to the AHA Board of Trustees, which includes the chair of each policy board.
Gebhart has served as president of Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City since July 2009. He also serves as the regional strategy officer for Mercy in Oklahoma. Gebhart, a native of western Oklahoma, received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma Baptist University and his master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Dallas Graduate School of Management. He is also a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City and Leadership Oklahoma.
In addition to his work with Mercy, Gebhart is a board member for the United Way of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. He is a former board member of the Oklahoma Hospital Association, Oklahoma March of Dimes, State Chamber of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Baptist University.
Gebhart will serve a three-year term on the AHA Region 7 Policy Board beginning Jan. 1, 2018.
Click here to learn more about Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City.
