Meet the Hospital Association of Oregon

Becky Hultberg is the president and chief executive officer of the Hospital Association of Oregon, where she combines her expertise in health care policy with a proven record of leadership to advocate on behalf of Oregon’s hospitals and their patients. As CEO of the hospital association since 2019, Becky has guided Oregon’s hospitals through complex challenges, including securing state support for staffing contracts in the early stage of the pandemic and creating COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

Becky’s journey to becoming a national leader began in her work as press secretary for an Alaskan governor. But the transformational experience of watching her husband go through open heart surgery inspired her to work towards ensuring that all hospitals have the resources they need to care for all people in the same way they cared for her family. Becky went on to lead the Alaska Department of Administration (DOA) as commissioner, where she reduced state employee health care costs for two consecutive years and led the reduction of the state’s long-term unfunded health care liability by more than $3 billion. Following her successful leadership at DOA, she was tapped to serve as president and CEO of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association before finding a new home in Oregon.

Her state-level success propelled her into national hospital leadership roles. Becky has served on the Board of Trustees for the American Hospital Association (AHA), and she currently serves on the AHA PAC Steering Committee. Becky also advocated for hospital regulatory relief in testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. 

Becky earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Abilene Christian University in Texas and her master’s degree in business administration from Ball State University in Indianapolis. When she’s not advocating for the well-being of her community, Becky spends time devouring novels, watching her kids’ sporting events and experiencing Oregon’s beautiful landscape.

Andi leads the advocacy team at the hospital association, where she is responsible for ensuring that hospitals are well represented in policy debates at the state and federal level. She acts as a liaison to the state legislature, regulatory agencies and the broader health care community for Oregon’s 62 hospitals. Leading a coalition of hospital-affiliated advocates, Andi develops effective policy engagement strategies and ensures coordination among partners with sometimes differing needs and priorities.

With extensive political experience spanning over two decades, Andi understands the significance of building authentic relationships with legislators, state agency leaders and coalition partners. Her work is crucial in negotiating statewide health care policies that advance the hospital association’s public policy agenda. She has an impressive track record of legislative achievements and a reputation for tenacity and smart advocacy. Andi holds a bachelor’s degree in health care administration from Oregon State University. Outside of work, she expresses her imagination and creativity in her garden, enjoys spending time with good friends and planning family adventures for her husband and daughter.

Andrea’s broad background in health care policy and regulation includes work on insurance reform, payment reform and health care costs. She has supported hospital association members in negotiating and navigating several significant health policy shifts in Oregon, such as the Health Care Market Oversight Program, the Basic Health Program (also known as the Bridge Program) and the Health Care Cost Growth Target Program. Andrea has a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and a law degree focusing on health law and bioethics from the University of Minnesota. When she’s not working, Andrea is an avid reader and loves to stay active through running, hiking and teaching fitness classes.

Andy draws on more than 14 years of experience with the hospital association. His long list of accomplishments includes leading the effort to develop the first real-time, fully automated statewide hospital capacity dashboard in the country. Andy also created the Rural Health Reform Initiative to develop an alternative Medicaid payment model for Oregon’s rural hospitals. Andy earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in business, both from Gonzaga University. Outside of work he enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest with his wife, four kids and two dogs.

With an extensive background in public policy, Danielle works to ensure the well-being of hospital staff, medical professionals and patients. A compassionate problem-solver, Danielle convenes stakeholders to discuss behavioral health and nurse staffing policy, including hosting a statewide nurse staffing summit. Danielle has a background in social service and has dedicated her career to collaboration. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Whittier College and her master’s degree in social service from Bryn Mawr College. In her spare time, Danielle loves to cook, spend time outdoors and cheer on the Portland Thorns with her family.

Dave tells the story of Oregon’s community hospitals to audiences on the hospital association’s digital platforms and to the public through the news media. Prior to joining the team, he spent five years directing communications for a large Portland area health system and was also an award-winning television news reporter and anchor. Dave earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. In his spare time, you can find Dave in the kitchen, playing the piano, running and enjoying outdoor sports like skiing and tennis.

Jason brings a fresh perspective to the hospital association, where he draws on a range of experience in finance and accounting. Prior to joining the team, Jason held various roles within the tax practice at PwC, as well as corporate finance positions at aerospace manufacturing and software companies. He has also served as treasurer and board member for other non-profit organizations. Jason has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a double major in economics and finance from Seattle University. Outside of work, he enjoys golf and playing the violin with his community orchestra.

Katie’s background in public health, along with her strong working relationships with Oregon’s congressional delegation, has made her a powerful advocate for rural hospitals within Oregon and on behalf of all hospitals at the federal level. Katie also managed the development of the Workplace Violence Prevention Toolkit, an innovative approach to improving safety for patients and staff that has been adopted statewide and across the country. Katie earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and a master’s degree in public health from Portland State University. When Katie is not working to advance rural health or monitoring Congress, you can find her reading novels or the news, putting her green thumb to use or exploring Oregon with her family.

Lisa leads the hospital association’s communications strategies to raise awareness of the public policies and advocacy efforts that strengthen Oregon’s community hospitals. She brings to her role more than 20 years of experience telling the health care story including her work as the public information and government affairs officer for a large health system, a senior consultant for a health care B-to-B public relations and marketing firm and an award-winning reporter for newspapers in Oregon, Texas and Utah. Lisa earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Colorado, Boulder. In her free time, she can be found trail running, mountain biking, doing CrossFit or moonlighting as a cab driver for her two sons.

Mariana keeps the hospital association running by supporting the executive team and managing day-to-day office operations. She also provides invaluable support in planning membership meetings and keeping member information organized and updated. She has a background in project management and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Outside of the office, Mariana loves to explore new places, cook and spend time with her cat.

Meghan leads the policy team and serves as the general counsel. She has a uniquely formed understanding of health care policy with an eye toward achieving pragmatic solutions. Meghan received her master’s degree in public health from Emory University – Rollins School of Public Health and received her law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School. Prior to law school, Meghan served hospitals as a consultant. During law school, Meghan was an extern, law clerk and head law clerk for the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon. After law school, Meghan was a judicial law clerk for Judge Michael W. Mosman of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. Later, she advised hospitals and others as an attorney at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. Outside of work, Meghan enjoys cheering on her children at sports games, traveling and serving our communities through mother-daughter volunteering with the National Charity League.

Rebecca oversees strategic planning, organizational effectiveness and board engagement, and leads the membership team. Her expertise spans health policy, organizational development and management. Prior to her current role, Rebecca was a part of the hospital association’s policy team and previously worked as a public health analyst for the Oregon Health Authority. She also served as chair of Oregon’s Public Health Advisory Board for five years. Rebecca earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a master’s degree in public health from Portland State University. When not balancing strategy and operations at work, she can be found tending her community garden plot, reading or taking her dog on a walk to one of Portland’s many parks.

Sean leads the advocacy and communications teams at the hospital association, where he leverages his decades of experience working on Oregon health care policy and politics to build coalitions and advance priority policies for hospitals and their communities. In his tenure at the association, Sean led the successful 2020 ballot measure campaign to increase the tobacco and e-cigarette tax to ensure a dedicated Medicaid funding package. Prior to this role, Sean worked as senior advisor in the offices of Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber and Gov. Kate Brown, where he helped expand health care coverage to more than one million Oregonians. Sean earned his bachelor’s degree from Linfield College and his master’s degree in public health from Portland State University. He enjoys spending his time with his wife and two kids, on a golf course or agonizing over his beloved Chicago Bears.

Troy advocates for the hospital association’s legislative priorities in Salem and co-coordinates on political strategy. Since his very first legislative session in 2017, Troy has built critical bipartisan relationships in Salem with legislators, state officials and their staff.  He brings years of political experience to the advocacy team, having served as Sen. Lew Frederick’s chief of staff moving key legislation through the process and as the Early Learning Division’s government affairs manager assisting with the creation of the Department of Learning and Care. Troy earned his bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Montana State University. When he’s not making things happen in the Capitol, Troy can be found camping or hiking.

Wendy has been a key member of the hospital association team for more than a decade. Wendy ensures the success of the hospital association by supporting its board of trustees and several committees, and by keeping a beat on member organizations. She also has a central role in executing signature events for the organization, including its annual membership meeting, leadership summit and board retreat. Outside of the office, Wendy enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.