July 10, 2026

The President’s Message is published in the MHA Weekly News Report, a member-only publication of the Montana Hospital Association. To subscribe, click here.

I want to start this week’s newsletter with a genuine thank you. Last month, we invited each of our member CEOs to share your perspective through our Member Engagement Survey and confidential leadership interviews. The response was outstanding.

A couple highlights:

• 56 member CEOs responded to the survey, representing 79% of member CEOs and 82% of MHA’s member facilities and health systems
• All 20 Board members and key leaders invited to confidential interviews participated (a 100% response rate)

This wasn’t just a check-the-box exercise. The survey and interviews, conducted by governWell, were designed to inform MHA’s strategic direction and identify where we can improve. Questions covered everything from advocacy effectiveness and member unity to the value of our education programs, MHA Ventures, and the Montana Health Research and Education Foundation. Your candid feedback on our mission and vision, the value of our services, and the challenges facing your organizations will directly shape where MHA focuses its energy in the year ahead.

I’m pleased to share that these results are heading straight to the MHA Board of Trustees. GovernWell will present the full Member Engagement findings at our 2026 Strategic Planning Retreat, taking place July 15–16 in Helena.

This retreat is one of the most important events on our calendar. It’s dedicated time for the Board to step back from the routine and necessary board business to focus on where MHA is headed. This year’s agenda includes discussion of 2026/2027 strategic priorities, an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), the current insurance landscape, a review of MHA’s governance structure, and introductions from Montana’s U.S. Senate and House candidates ahead of the 2027 legislative session.

By the end of the retreat, our goal is to leave with clear strategic priorities for the coming year, a shared understanding of RHTP implementation, and alignment on how MHA continues to serve you and represent Montana’s hospitals effectively.

Thank you again for your engagement. I look forward to sharing retreat highlights in an upcoming message.