NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 2, 2022) – Ardent Health Services Chief Operating Officer Terika Richardson has been elected to the American Hospital Association’s Board of Trustees for a three-year term, effective January 1, 2023.

Richardson, who is responsible for the operations and strategic growth of Ardent’s 30 hospitals and more than 200 sites of care across six states, brings nearly 20 years of healthcare leadership experience to the role.

“It is an honor to be elected to this position and I look forward to leveraging the AHA’s influence to help our nation’s hospitals emerge from the pandemic while identifying solutions to address the broader challenges facing our industry on a national level,” Richardson said.

Richardson previously served on the AHA’s Center for Health Innovation Leadership Council from 2019-2021, was a member of AHA’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity Board from 2018-2020 and served as a delegate for AHA Regional Policy Board from 2020-2021.

“I can’t think of a better leader to help guide our industry at this pivotal time,” said Ardent President and CEO Marty Bonick. “The pandemic created a tipping point for disruption and accelerated market forces that are causing seismic shifts in healthcare. I know that Terika and other leaders will meet the moment as they work toward innovative and equitable solutions that improve the quality of healthcare delivery.”

Prior to joining Ardent in 2021, Richardson was president of Advocate Aurora Health’s Central Chicagoland Patient Service Area, chief executive officer of Retreat Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, and held various leadership roles for HCA Healthcare and Northwell Health. She has been recognized as one of Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Minority Executives, among the Top 100 Women Leaders in Medicine of 2021 and in Crain’s Chicago Business magazine’s 40 Under 40.