Gavin Roberts, board chair of Owensboro Health, has been appointed to the American Hospital Association (AHA) Committee on Governance (COG). This national leadership position will allow Roberts to use insights from Owensboro to help shape healthcare policy at a broader level.
Roberts will serve a three-year term beginning January 1, 2025. The COG advises the AHA on key public policy issues, advocacy strategies, and governance practices. It allows leaders such as Roberts to share their local experiences and contribute to national discussions.
“This appointment to the Governance Committee with AHA is another step in the direction of each of the core pillars of our mission statement at Owensboro Health: To heal the sick and improve the health of the communities we serve,” Roberts said. “Each person’s health is so important — not just to their own lives but also to their loved ones, their team members at work, and their communities at large. Being able to help on a national level to advocate for our region and guide policy is a great honor both personally and professionally.”
Roberts has served on the Owensboro Health board of directors for more than seven years, including five as chair. He is eager to bring his experience to the national stage while gaining valuable insights from other healthcare leaders.
“I haven’t had my orientation yet, so I’m looking forward to jumping in and learning more about this opportunity,” Roberts said. “Starting my eighth year on the Owensboro Health board and fifth as chair, I’ll be able to bring many ideas, experiences, and issues from communities in our region to the national meetings. I’ll also be able to learn at the ground level what other communities are doing to better themselves.”
Roberts acknowledged Owensboro Health’s unique strengths and its impact on the region.
“I’m so proud of Owensboro Health — where we are currently, where we are headed as a health system, and the leadership team at both the administration and board levels leading this charge,” he said. “I’ve been around the country a lot since I started serving, and Owensboro Health is truly a leader in so many areas, from quality and safety to recruitment and overall care. We sometimes take it for granted, but having such an asset in our community is remarkable.”
Owensboro Health President and CEO Mark Marsh praised Roberts’ leadership and dedication to advancing healthcare.
“Gavin’s vision and commitment to Owensboro Health have been transformative,” Marsh said. “He works tirelessly to improve the health and well-being of our region, and his appointment to the AHA Committee on Governance is a reflection of his exceptional leadership and passion for service. I am confident he will bring tremendous value to the national conversation on healthcare.”
Roberts also emphasized the significance of Owensboro Health as the largest employer west of Louisville.
“To be able to obtain care right here in our community for so many health issues is not only convenient but also of very high quality,” he said.
Reflecting on his service at Owensboro Health, Roberts expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent the organization and the region nationally.
“It is an honor of a lifetime to have a small part in the Owensboro Health system,” he said. “Each day, I see amazing things and hear stories of true heroism and life-saving procedures happening across our region — from Muhlenberg to Leitchfield, Madisonville, Henderson, and Owensboro. It’s really overwhelming if I stop and think about it.”
As he prepares for this new role, Roberts said he is motivated by the acts of kindness and care demonstrated daily by the Owensboro Health team.
“I’ll carry them with me when I’m in meetings and be reminded why I am there and whom we are serving,” he said. “The caring within this organization is limitless. These are the acts that make me want to do more.”
The AHA Committee on Governance will convene three times a year, beginning in March 2025 in Houston, Texas.
