MADERA, CA – Valley Children's Healthcare Chief Executive Officer Todd Suntrapak has been appointed to the American Hospital Association (AHA) Regional Policy Board 9, where he will advocate for healthcare policies critical for U.S. hospitals.
The AHA is a national not-for-profit organization that advocates for hospitals and health systems across the country. Its regional policy boards are instrumental in fostering communication between the AHA, its members, and state hospital associations, using their recommendations to inform critical advocacy policies.
"AHA’s voice gets heard. I will work diligently to bring attention to the critical healthcare needs of the children and families in our Valley Children’s community," said Suntrapak "It’s a privilege to join the esteemed policy board as an advocate, as a learner and to represent Valley Children’s outstanding care providers.”
Regional Policy Board 9 is comprised of approximately 30 people from AHA member hospitals and health systems in California, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington State. The Board meets three times annually and works throughout the year to advocate for their region’s healthcare needs. Suntrapak’s appointment runs through Dec. 31, 2027.
“We depend on the input of leaders like Todd Suntrapak,” said Sean Barry, AHA regional executive of Region 9. “His experience at the national, state and regional levels makes him uniquely suited to support our advocacy."
Suntrapak has been a member of the Valley Children’s leadership team for more than 25 years, becoming president and CEO in 2012. He is instrumental in shaping broad hospital policies, particularly those that impact the children of California’s Central Valley. He previously served on the AHA Regional Policy Board 9 from 2019 to 2021.
Suntrapak has served in numerous leadership roles in other medical advocacy organizations, including chair of the California Children’s Hospital Association; member of the executive committee of the California Hospital Association since 2018; chair of the Hospital Council of Northern & Central California for two years; member of the California Association of Hospitals and Health Systems Board of Directors since 2021; and member of the California Hospital Association Political Action Committee Board of Directors from 2021 to 2024.