Mark Boucot, President and CEO of Garrett Regional Medical Center and Potomac Valley Hospital, was presented the American Hospital Association Grassroots Champion Award for Maryland at the Maryland Hospital Association’s Annual Reception June 10th.
Each year the American Hospital Association (AHA) recognizes one hospital leader in each state who most effectively educates state and national elected officials on major issues affecting hospitals’ vital role in the community, who have done an exemplary job broadening community support for their hospital, and who are tireless advocates for hospitals and their patients.
In presenting him the esteemed award, the American Hospital Association noted Mr. Boucot’s tireless advocacy for national legislation making it a felony to attack healthcare workers on the job. In February of this year, Mr. Boucot traveled to Washington, DC, to testify at a briefing on Capitol Hill regarding the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act. The American Hospital Association and American College of Emergency Physicians cohosted the briefing.
The briefing was attended by over 100 House and Senate staffers. Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate regarding the bill; those Republicans and Democrats sponsoring the bill hope to achieve passage in both arms of Congress before the end of the year.
During his testimony at the briefing, Mr. Boucot noted that workplace violence occurs in rural hospitals as well as those in more urban areas, and stated that violence has no place in a healthcare setting.
“People who work in our hospitals don’t want to dwell on the potential for violence that they live with every day,” he said. “They would rather focus on the care they’re providing their patients and the challenge a particular patient’s condition may present. I think the intensity of caring for people who may be seriously ill coupled with the fact that we treat everyone who walks through the door, regardless, has created a sense of acceptance that the potential for violence is just part of the job. It really shouldn’t be that way – our healthcare workers deserve to be safe. The proposed legislation will help accomplish that.”
The American Hospital Association represents nearly 5,000 hospitals and healthcare systems as well as 43,000 individual members who work in the healthcare industry. AHA is active in addressing national health policy development and legislative and regulatory issues. It also monitors judicial matters that may impact healthcare.
Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for healthcare leaders and is a source of information on healthcare issues and trends.
