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Healthcare Trustees of Maine
Hospital Trustee Delegates
What is the Healthcare Trustees of Maine?
MHA's Healthcare Trustees of Maine (HTM) is an organization made
up of nearly 900 Trustees who serve on the boards of directors
of Maine's community and specialty hospitals.
Established in 1988 as an affiliate of the MHA, HTM is dedicated
to helping individual Trustees become more informed and effective
board members. Through HTM and its close relationship with MHA,
Trustees also have a voice in the development of healthcare public
policy at the state and federal levels.
HTM's mission can be summarized in three words:
- Education
- Communications
- Advocacy
Education
Each year HTM plans and conducts educational seminars for both
new and seasoned Trustees in locations throughout the state. These
day-long programs are specifically designed to help Trustees develop
a fuller understanding of how to discharge their responsibilities
as board members. The sessions also help Maine hospitals meet
Trustee education requirements set by the Joint Commission on
Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. HTM's education calendar
features regular seminars, an annual orientation for new Trustees
and a special board leadership conference. All sessions are planned
by the HTM education committee made up of Trustees from small
and large hospitals across the state.
Communications
HTM's communications program provides Trustees with opportunities
to learn about key issues facing Maine's hospitals and to share
their experiences and expertise with others across the state.
All Trustees receive the monthly Maine's Healthcare newsletter.
Hospital Board Chairs and Trustees serving as representatives
to the Healthcare Governance Council receive MHA's weekly Friday
Report newsletter and E-clips clipping service.
HTM's Trustee Information Program or TIP is designed to inform
hospital boards about HTM activities and the services the organization
provides to Trustees across the state. To arrange a TIP presentation
at your hospital, please contact Carol Sinclair at MHA.
Advocacy
Through the HTM, Maine hospital board members play an increasingly
vital role in political advocacy efforts both in Augusta and in
Washington, D.C. Trustees have contributed to the passage of a
number of hospital-supported bills in the Maine State Legislature.
Each year, Trustees travel to Washington, D.C., to discuss issues
of importance to hospitals with members of Maine's Congressional
Delegation.
HTM's advocacy program is closely coordinated with MHA's government
relations activities. At the center of this effort is the belief
that Trustees are particularly credible and effective advocates
for their hospitals because of their longstanding ties with their
communities and the fact that individual Trustees have no financial
stake in their hospital and its operations.
Leadership
The HTM is governed by the Healthcare Delegates made up of HTM
officers, delegates from each MHA-member hospital board of directors,
at large members, representatives to the American Hospital Association
and the Trustees who serve on the MHA Board of Directors. HTM
has five dinner meetings each year. All Trustees are welcome to
attend the meetings.
Liaison with the MHA
The Healthcare Governance Council has close liaison with the MHA
Board of Directors. The Chairman serves on the MHA Board of Directors,
as do several other Trustees who are recommended by HTM's Nominations
Committee. Trustees chaired MHA in 1992 and 1998. Trustees also
serve on MHA Councils, Committees and Task Forces. Staff and administrative
support to the HTM is coordinated by MHA.
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