A Message From CHA’s Outgoing Board Chair

December 2024 marks the end of my two-year role serving as chair of the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) Board of Trustees. I am both humbled and energized by the work we have done together to advocate for children’s health in that time.

When I first took on this position, we were emerging into a new post-pandemic world filled with uncertainty of where the path ahead would take us. From the youth mental health crisis to workforce shortage challenges to the financial sustainability of pediatric systems, the headwinds seemed to gain momentum at every turn. My first letter as chair referenced the need to be clear in our destination and not to be swayed by the uncertain currents around us. We have navigated this new environment together, and I believe we are more dedicated than ever in our resolve to improve children’s health.

Yet what I know to be true today is that improved children’s health requires strong children’s hospitals. In a world largely focused on adult health, children and their families count on us to provide the highest quality pediatric care and continue driving innovation in research. Just like the care we give, our systems are unique, and it has been a great privilege to partner alongside all of you to amplify the critical role we play in advancing pediatric health from prevention to the highest levels of inpatient care. While the work is heavy at times, I remain as inspired today as I was two years ago by what we can accomplish when we come together. We have learned a lot, and I am grateful to CHA for giving us the opportunity to network and leverage our collective wins and lessons for the greater good of the children who need us most.

I would like to thank Mark Wietecha and Matt Cook for their leadership during my tenure and look forward to welcoming Jena Hausmann, MHA, president and CEO of Children's Hospital Colorado, as the new chair in January 2025. I am excited to see how we can continue to find new ways of delivering care that advances pediatric health for all children. It is an undeniably critical investment in the future health of our country.

— Jeff Sperring