Working Together to Promote Operational Excellence of Human Resources in Health Care

AHA Solutions, in partnership with ASHHRA, will grant two deserving professionals the Gary Willis Leadership Award (GWL). This award recognizes mid-level human resources managers and directors who have made outstanding leadership and operations contributions to their organization. The award is for managers who are looking to advance their career through continuous educational opportunities promoting operational excellence.

The application period is closed for the 2013 year. Award winners will be announced at the ASHHRA 49th Annual Conference & Exposition in Washington, D.C. in September. Check back to learn about this year's award recipients!

 

For more information about this award, please email gwlaward@aha.org.

Are YOU eligible? Read the application criteria

To qualify for the 2012 Gary Willis Leadership Award, you must meet these criteria:

  • A minimum of five years of health care HR experience
  • ASHHRA member for at least one year*
  • Hold a position from mid-level manager to director

*Current ASHHRA Board members, including the Past President, are not eligible for this award

Submission Requirements - Important please read

You will be required to submit your full contact information, provide an example of an initiative/program that focused on operational excellence in your organization and define your role, and upload the following required documentation:

  • Brief biography (300 words minimum)
  • Resume
  • Reference Letter
In Memoriam

Gary Willis was a past president of the Montana Society of Healthcare Human Resources Administrators, a member of the ASHHRA Board of Directors, and won the ASHHRA Outstanding Chapter Achievement Award for 2004, 2005, and 2010. Gary believed strongly that Human Resources and Workforce Development was essential in building a partnership in all areas of health care to ensure that hospitals and health systems are employers of choice.

"Gary Willis loved ASHHRA and his work in human resources. This mountain of a strong Montana man had a heart of gold and a passion for making a difference in our world of HR! His style of leadership and strong values and ethics forged a significant impact on the state of ASHHRA and his footprint remains in the strategies that have become reality and those that are still a work in progress. Although he has passed on, his spirit remains with ASHHRA, and his dedication and passion for our membership will live on."

Bob Walters, ASHHRA Board
Vice President Corporate Director, HR Operations
Health First


Gary Willis, in his own words

Gary Willis, Former ASHHRA Board Member and HR Advocate"I believe very strongly in Human Resources and Workforce Development in building a partnership in all areas of health care to ensure that hospitals and health systems are employers of choice. I understand the challenges that we as HR professionals face. We must continue to support the growth of ASHHRA and its members by being on the cutting edge of new technology. We need to pull together a network of partners and build a reputation of trust and respect not only for our CEOs and Boards but for present and future generations going into the health care Workforce."