Tennessee Hospital Association Re-elected Board Chair
The association confirmed its leadership slate during its 88th annual meeting in Nashville.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in People
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The Tennessee Hospital Association reelected Jim VanderSteeg to serve as board chair. He will continue his leadership role for an additional year.
Why it matters
The board oversees strategic initiatives for hospital systems across the state, ensuring unified advocacy and policy direction. Continuity in leadership allows for sustained focus on institutional priorities during the coming term.
The association held its 88th Annual Meeting to confirm leadership positions. At-large members were appointed to serve terms ranging from 2026 to 2029.
The players
Jim VanderSteeg
He is the president and CEO of Covenant Health, a healthcare system based in Knoxville.
Matt Schaefer
He currently serves as the president and CEO of Dolly Parton Children's Hospital.
Michael Ugwueke
He is the immediate past chair of the Tennessee Hospital Association board.
Tennessee Hospital Association
This organization represents hospitals and health systems across the state of Tennessee.
Zach Chandler
He holds the position of board ex-officio member for the organization.
The details
The leadership elections took place at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Matt Schaefer was selected as chair-elect, while Michael Ugwueke remains on the board as the immediate past chair.
Timeline
The Tennessee Hospital Association held its annual meeting from September 24-25, 2026.
Zach Chandler serves as a board ex-officio member for the 2026-2028 term.
At-large board members are serving terms through 2029.
Market Landscape
The Tennessee Hospital Association's 88th Annual Meeting serves as the formal venue for setting board leadership, following a pattern of annual governance cycles. This continuity in leadership positions the association to maintain stable policy advocacy for health systems throughout the state.
The board's strategic decisions regarding healthcare access and policy directly affect the operations of local health systems. Patients may experience shifts in regional healthcare initiatives as the reelected board continues its multi-year strategy.
The takeaway
Stable leadership within industry associations often signals a commitment to long-term policy goals rather than immediate tactical changes. Stakeholders should anticipate consistent advocacy and oversight priorities through the 2029 term.
Further reading
Learn more about the organization's governance by visiting the Tennessee People section.
More information
View the current list of board members on the association website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Mountain Press.
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