Richard J. Umbdenstock is the president and chief executive officer of the American Hospital Association (AHA), and a past chair of the AHA Board of Trustees.

Prior to assuming this position, he was executive vice president of Providence Health & Services, an integrated health care system formed on January 1, 2006 through the merger of Providence Services and Providence Health System.  He served as president and chief executive officer of the former Providence Services, Spokane, Washington.  Providence Health & Services includes 27 hospitals, more than 35 non-acute facilities, physician clinics, a health plan, a liberal arts university, more than 46,000 employees, and housing and educational services.  The system serves communities in Alaska, Washington, Montana, Oregon and California. 

Mr. Umbdenstock’s career includes 11 years as an independent consultant for voluntary hospital governing boards in the United States and Canada.  He is the author of several books and articles for the hospital board audience, and has authored national survey reports for the AHA and its Health Research and Educational Trust, and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

His prior positions with the AHA include serving as a member of the AHA Board of Trustees and its Executive Committee, chairing the Operations Committee, and serving as an ex-officio member of Regional Policy Board 9.  He also served on the Circle of Life committee and chaired the Task Force on Coverage & Access.

Mr. Umbdenstock is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.  He received a master of science degree in 1974 in Health Services Administration from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a bachelor of arts degree in Politics in 1972 from Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut.  In May 2003, Mr. Umbdenstock was awarded a doctor of laws honorary degree from Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington.