The Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems Expands Team

They say the new team members will help to effectively communicate the health care issues facing all Oregonians.

Salem-News.com Business Report

(LAKE OSWEGO, Ore.) - The Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS), a statewide, nonprofit trade association that works to enhance and promote community health, recently hired Andy Van Pelt as its director of communications.

This new hire coincides with naming Karen Normandin its director of member services who has been with the association for 24 years.

"This recent addition and creating a member services position to our team, allows us to work with our members to effectively communicate the health care issues facing all Oregonians. Their broad, creative experience will be a fresh addition to our strategic vision," stated Andy Davidson, president and CEO of OAHHS.

Van Pelt holds a master's degree in business administration (MBA) with an emphasis in communications and marketing from Gonzaga University. He worked most recently at Jesuit High School, in Beaverton, OR., as its director of communications. He has also worked for a nationally-recognized public relations firm in Portland and an advertising agency New York City. He is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and their local Portland chapter. Van Pelt is a native Oregonian.

During her tenure at OAHHS, Normandin has served as director of public affairs and communications, representing member hospitals on numerous committees and community coalitions, was the point person with statewide media, public relations professionals in OAHHS member hospitals and managed the association's most recent strategic planning activities.

In her new role, Normandin will work with members and the OAHHS Board of Trustees to enhance and support the association's relationship with key constituents.

She currently serves on the marketing committee of Project Access Now, is a member and past president of Healthcare Communicators of Oregon and is a member of the Association of Public Relations Executives.

About the OAHHS: Founded in 1934, the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS) is a statewide, nonprofit trade association that works closely with local and national government leaders, business and citizen coalitions, and other professional health care organizations to enhance and promote community health and to continue improving Oregon's innovative health care industry.

In addition to 57 acute care hospitals, OAHHS membership includes 10 health systems and related health plans, 16 affiliated allied organizations and 32 associate members representing health care consulting and other service companies. More information can be found online at oahhs.org

Source: Press release from OAHHS