John G. O’Brien brings 27 years of health care leadership to national consumer health advocacy organization

(BOSTON) — John G. O’Brien, former chief executive officer (retired) of UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc. and a former member of the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees, has joined Community Catalyst as a Strategic Advisor.

O’Brien will help develop Community Catalyst’s strategy to connect the interests of hospitals, consumers and communities in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, with a specific focus on delivery system and payment reform, hospital community benefit, and Medicaid.

“John is a visionary health care leader who ran two successful health systems that embraced their community missions,” said Rob Restuccia, executive director of Community Catalyst. “He will bring an important perspective to our work to make the health care system more responsive to the people it serves.”

“The Affordable Care Act presents a unique opportunity for hospitals to connect with their communities and serve the needs of its most vulnerable members,” said O’Brien. “Community Catalyst is a national leader in efforts to ensure consumers have a voice in health policy issues. I am eager to join the organization because there is a critical need to improve the conversation between hospitals and the advocacy community so we can work together to build a more sustainable health system and to improve the health and quality of life in our communities.”

“I have collaborated with John for over 25 years,” Restuccia added. “During that time he has played an active role in Massachusetts health reform, and nationally he’s been a strong advocate for efforts to improve the health of vulnerable populations. At Community Catalyst, he will play a leadership role in helping to strengthen and broaden our relationships and catalyze new advocacy approaches. We are delighted and fortunate to have him join our team. ”

O’Brien has a 27-year history of health care executive leadership. Prior to his tenure at UMass Memorial, he served as CEO of the Cambridge Health Alliance and Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Cambridge. O’Brien was past chair of the board of the Massachusetts Hospital Association and of the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems. He currently serves as vice chairman of the Public Health Institute, and is the Jane and William Mosakowski Distinguished Professor of Higher Education at Clark University.  

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About Community Catalyst

Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Read our blog at http://blog.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @healthpolicyhub.