Alumni/ae Spotlight

David L. Bernd (MHA ’73)

The faculty and students of the Department of Health Administration offer David L. Bernd (MHA ’73) hearty congratulations for his recent election as chair-elect designate of the American Hospital Association (AHA) Board of Trustees. This is a wonderful honor and accomplishment! He will be the first Virginian in the 105-year history of AHA to hold the post!

Mr. Bernd will assume chairmanship of the AHA Board of Trustees in 2004, making him the top elected official of the largest hospital and health system association in the United States. Prior to his chairmanship, Mr. Bernd will become Chairman-elect on January 1, 2003. As Chairman elect, he will preside over AHA’s strategic planning committee, which identifies the Association’s priority initiatives.

Prior to these appointments, he has served the AHA in a variety of roles, including chairing a regional policy board and serving on the Board of Trustees. He has also served as chairman of the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association and a member of the board of VHA Inc.

David L. Bernd is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Sentara Healthcare based in Norfolk, Virginia. With Sentara since 1972, he served as executive vice president/chief operating officer of Sentara and president of Sentara Hospitals-Norfolk. Throughout his tenure with Sentara, he has kept patient-focused care the goal of Sentara’s six hospitals, 300,00-member provider owned health insurance plans, seven nursing homes, three assisted living facilities, and a 175-member medical group.