Honor recognizes significant contributions of a trustee leader in the healthcare community 

Alan G. Macdonald, JD, who served on the Board of Trustees at MelroseWakefield Healthcare, a member of Wellforce Health System, has been awarded the 2021 Trustee Excellence in Leadership Award from the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA). Each year, MHA honors the significant contributions of trustee leaders whose professional achievements have been of exceptional value to the healthcare community. 

Macdonald’s healthcare-related board service spans decades, including a 10-year presence on MHA’s Board of Trustees from 1994 to 2004. He also served as President & CEO of Hallmark Health/MelroseWakefield Healthcare from 2012 to 2018. Macdonald returned to the MelroseWakefield Healthcare board immediately upon stepping down from the system’s executive leadership post.

Macdonald’s significant contributions to Massachusetts healthcare policy and community healthcare services are especially noteworthy. Macdonald has led numerous committees, councils, and organizations that have resulted in meaningful improvements to healthcare throughout the commonwealth. During his tenure with the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, he assisted in the development of the Uncompensated Care Pool (now the Health Safety Net) and the individual health insurance mandate, which became cornerstones of the healthcare reform laws both in Massachusetts and nationally. Macdonald is a founding director of Massachusetts Health Quality Partners alongside co-founding director and now Governor Charlie Baker. He is also co-founding director and chair of the Massachusetts Electronic Health Collaborative, which created and piloted Massachusetts’ first electronic health record systems.

“Alan has been a force within the Massachusetts healthcare and health policy arenas for many years, and we are thrilled to present him with this recognition,” said Steve Walsh, MHA President & CEO. “From his service at MHA and MelroseWakefield, to his direct influence on the groundbreaking 2006 health reform law, he has helped improve the lives of countless patients.”

“Alan’s incredible ongoing contributions to our healthcare community are unmatched,” said Susan Sandberg, MBA, RN, president & CEO of MelroseWakefield Healthcare. “His vision and thought leadership have helped to transform healthcare, not only in our community, but throughout the Commonwealth. We are grateful for his contributions and are so pleased that he is the recipient of this distinguished honor.”

A Trustee Excellence in Leadership award was also presented to Susan C. Crampton, treasurer of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and Windmere Nursing & Rehabilitation Center’s Board of Trustees.