Why are trustees important?

The board of trustees, in partnership with management, defines the vision, mission, and goals for a hospital. Health care trustees are charged with safeguarding the most valuable resource of a community: they health of its citizens. Management is charged with implementation, while the governing board is responsible for oversight of the hospital’s aspirations, purpose, focus and future. Together, they shepherd their institutions and assure quality health care for their communities.

Health care trustees are required not only to represent the communities they serve but also to understand and deal with the problems of the entire health care system. These trustees must:

• Define and safeguard the institution’s mission
• Select and support a CEO
• Ensure, promote and improve the institution’s financial viability
• Appoint and maintain a qualified medical staff
• Assess and improve the quality of care provided
• Monitor the effectiveness of the institution’s services and programs
• Promoted positive relationships with local, state and federal governments, the community and funding sources
• Supervise the welfare of the hospital or health care organization and ensure that the institution meets the community’s needs

The scope and magnitude of these responsibilities illustrate the need for the highest quality leadership possible among health care trustees.