Oconto Falls hospital official named a Grassroots Champion

OCONTO FALLS — David Lally, director of business development & advocacy for the division that includes HSHS St. Clare Hospital in Oconto Falls, is a recipient of the American Hospital Association’s 2019 Grassroots Champion award.

The Grassroots Champion award is given out each year to one individual in each state who is nominated by the state hospital association partners. The award was created to recognize hospital leaders who most effectively educate elected officials on how major issues affect hospitals’ vital roles in the community, who have done an exemplary job in broadening the base of community support for hospitals, and who are tireless advocates for their hospitals and patients.

“Whether it’s traveling to Washington, D.C., the state capitol in Madison, or joining us for meetings with legislators in their communities, David is always jumping at the opportunity to advocate on behalf of the HSHS (Hospital Sisters Health System) hospitals in Eastern Wisconsin, and Wisconsin health care as a whole,” said Jon Hoelter, director of state and federal relations for the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA), which nominated Lally for the AHA award.

Most recently, Lally attended a WHA meeting in Mequon with U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman to discuss federal legislation aimed at tackling surprise medical billing. David and other HSHS leaders discussed the voluntary efforts HSHS hospitals in Eastern Wisconsin are making to meet patients’ desires for more price transparency, including the launch of an online price estimator tool which allows patients to obtain out-of-pocket estimates for planned procedures.

“Advocacy is truly a team effort,” Lally said. “While I am humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award, I am also deeply grateful for the team of dedicated health care leaders at HSHS who assist in advocacy efforts daily on behalf of St. Vincent, St. Mary’s, St. Nicholas and St. Clare hospitals.”