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WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 8, 2016 ) – The ���������� Association (AHA) today named Jay Bhatt, D.O., chief medical officer and president of the Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET) of the AHA. Bhatt will join the AHA in September.

As CMO and president of HRET, he will oversee the association’s clinical leadership and health improvement activities. He will lead the AHA’s quality activities in several areas, including HRET, the Institute for Diversity in Health Management and the Association for Community Health Improvement. He also will direct physician engagement activities and provide leadership on critical policy issues.

“Jay has been a leader in efforts to improve quality and patient safety, and a real innovator in transforming health care,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “We’re excited to have him join us, and know he will make valuable contributions to the AHA and the entire health care field.”

Bhatt, a practicing internist, is currently the chief health officer for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA), where he oversees the IHA’s Institute for Innovations in Care and Quality, aimed at reducing readmissions, deploying statewide high reliability initiative, optimizing health, and related issues. He is also president of the Midwest Alliance for Patient Safety, where he led significant member growth, deployed innovative educational resources, and started a diagnostic error collaborative. Prior to joining IHA, he served as managing deputy commissioner and chief strategy and innovation officer at the Chicago Public Health Department.

“Jay’s ability and knowledge on the issues our members face every day will help the field as hospitals and health systems continue to pursue excellence in quality and meeting the health needs of their communities” said AHA Executive Vice President and President and CEO, Health Forum Maryjane Wurth, who worked closely with him at IHA.

Bhatt earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Chicago and his Doctor in Osteopathic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He also earned a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and a master’s in public health from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health.

About the AHA

The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at www.aha.org.