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Maryjane Wurth, AHA executive vice president and chief operating officer, will retire next year after a long and distinguished career in the hospital association field, the AHA announced today. Joining the AHA as its next executive vice president and COO is Michelle Hood, president and CEO at Northern Light Health in Brewer, Maine. Hood currently serves on the AHA Board of Trustees.
 
“Maryjane is one of the most respected health care executives in our field,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “She has earned the trust and admiration from the AHA Board as well as her colleagues at the AHA and state hospital associations. While she joined the association nearly four years ago, Maryjane has been an important contributor to the AHA for many years. She has made significant contributions on some of our field’s most important issues and improved health in America.”

Hood will join the AHA next year and overlap with Wurth to ensure a smooth transition, the association said. In addition to serving on AHA’s Board of Trustees, Hood is on its Executive Committee and chairs the board’s Operations Committee.

“Michelle is an experienced health system CEO — who is known for her creative leadership — and knows the AHA well,” Pollack said. “She will bring her passion for and deep experience in making health care better for patients to her new role.”