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.

About Grady Health System

Grady Health System is one of the largest safety net health systems in the United States. Grady consists of the 953-bed Grady Memorial Hospital, six neighborhood health centers, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated as a Children's affiliate.

With its nationally acclaimed emergency medical services, Grady has the premier level I trauma center in the Metro Atlanta region and serves as the 911 ambulance provider for the city of Atlanta. Grady's American Burn Association/American College of Surgeons verified Burn Center is one of only two in the state. And the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center is a Joint Commission designated Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center.

Other key services include Grady's Regional Perinatal Center with its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Georgia'sfirst Cancer Center for Excellence, The Avon Breast Health Center, the Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, and the Ponce de Leon Center - one of the top three HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in the country.

About the America's Essential Hospitals board of directors:

America's Essential Hospitals is governed by a board of directors that represents the geographic and organizational diversity of the association's overall membership. The 16-member board provides strategic direction and oversight for the association, and elects the board of directors for Essential Hospitals Institute. Board members, who are elected by a vote of the full membership, serve staggered, two-year terms and may serve up to three consecutive terms.

About the Essential Hospitals Institute board of directors:

Essential Hospitals Institute, the research and quality arm of America's Essential Hospitals, is governed by a 16-member board of directors that comprises both member representatives and outside directors. The board provides strategic direction and oversight of the Institute. Board members, who are elected by the America's Essential Hospitals board of directors, serve staggered, two-year terms and may serve up to three consecutive terms.