Grady Health System president and CEO John Haupert is the new chairman of the board of directors of America's Essential Hospitals.

America's Essential Hospitals is the leading national association and champion for hospitals and health systems dedicated to high quality care for all, including the most vulnerable. Since 1981, the association has initiated advanced and preserved programs and policies that help ensure access to care. The organization has nearly 275 members.

Dr. Leon Haley, Jr. - Emory's Executive Associate Dean for Clinical Services at Grady and Chief Medical Officer of the Emory Medical Care Foundation - is the new chair of the Essential Hospitals Institute. 

Essential Hospitals Institute is the research and quality arm of America's Essential Hospitals.  Working with association members, the institute identifies promising practices from the field, conducts research, shares innovative strategies and helps members improve their organizational performance.

"Grady not only has a rich history, but a remarkable success story in recent years and that reflects on the leadership of John Haupert and Leon Haley," said Bruce Siegel, MD, president and CEO of America's Essential Hospitals. "Our boards are in highly capable hands."

Haupert and Haley begin their terms on July 1, 2016.