JOHN W. BLUFORD, III NAMED RECIPIENT OF AN AHA HONOR AWARD

Bluford honored for innovation, leadership, and health equity contributions.

JOHN W. BLUFORD, III, MBA, FACHE
The American Hospital Association (AHA) awarded its 2019 Award of Honor to John W. Bluford, III, founder and president of the Bluford Healthcare Leadership Institute (BHLI), for the organization’s leadership in healthcare workforce development. The award, presented at the AHA’s Annual Meeting, is given to individuals or organizations in recognition of exemplary contributions to the health and well-being of our nation through leadership on major health policy or social initiatives.

In 2013, Bluford founded the BHLI to develop a pipeline of talented scholars for leadership roles in healthcare who will serve to eliminate health disparities among underserved patient populations. Since its founding, the BHLI has mentored more than 90 of its graduates into healthcare professions and/or graduate programs in the field of health. Bluford’s work with the BHLI is a reflection of the visionary contributions he has made across the field.

“The elimination of healthcare disparities is an attainable achievement, thanks in part to John’s lifelong work,” said Rick Pollack, AHA president and CEO. “He has been steadfast in his work to close the gaps in healthcare that often affect our most vulnerable patients, and that effort will live on in the next generation of healthcare leaders, who he has trained and inspired. His demonstrated leadership has moved the field forward in addressing the health needs of our communities.”

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Prior to founding the BHLI, Bluford served as the President and CEO of Truman Medical Centers in Kansas City, Mo. for 15 years. In addition, he served for 21 years in various leadership roles at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minn., including the last six years as its President and CEO. Throughout his career, Bluford has championed changes in the culture of organizations, making them more patient-centered and innovative with programs such as school-based clinics and community outreach initiatives to support patients outside of the hospital. Bluford began his career as a CDC-trained epidemiologist and has been recognized by Modern Healthcare and Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the “Most Influential People in Healthcare.”

Previous Award of Honor winners include Sister Carol Keehan, president and chief executive officer at Catholic Health Association of the United States; George Halvorson, chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente; and Donald M. Berwick, M.D., former administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and former president and CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.