Vermont Business Magazine In a statement released today by the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, Bea Grause, RN, JD, currently the President and CEO of the VAHHS, has been named by the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) Board of Trustees to succeed Dennis P. Whalen as HANYS' next President upon his retirement in June 2016.The association embarked on a national search process when Mr. Whalen announced his intent to retire. Grause has been the President and CEO of VAHHS since 2001. She received her Juris Doctorate in May 1991 from Santa Clara University School of Law and her BSN from Boston College in 1979. Before moving to Vermont, Bea worked in a variety of health care positions in Washington, D.C. Prior to entering the field of law, Bea had worked for 10 years as a Registered Nurse, primarily in the Emergency Room and Intensive Care areas.
Bea Grause
"We have selected a new President who is in the tradition of HANYS leadership," said the HANYS Board in a statement. "Bea Grause has the knowledge, experience, and demonstrated talents and skills to lead HANYS and its membership. We are fortunate to have had a very strong set of candidates who came forward during our search process, and Bea distinguished herself in every respect to emerge as our next President."
VAHHS Board Chair Thomas Dee, President and CEO of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, said that Vermont's hospital leaders will miss Ms. Grause greatly. "Bea has been a vital part of our efforts to make sure all Vermonters have access to quality health care," Dee said. "She has also played a significant role in advancing health care reform in this state."
HANYS is the only statewide hospital and continuing care association in New York. Located near Albany, N.Y., the association represents 500 not-for-profit and public hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, and other healthcare organizations.
In the coming months, the VAHHS Board will select a new leader.