Dick Davidson has passed away. As I have devoted five years of my professional life to the privilege of leading your association, I have come to learn more about this remarkable man and his leadership and insights. Dick Davidson was a giant in our business. There are more than a few, but Dick clearly stood out.
He was an early advocate for transparency in clinical performance, and he championed leadership by hospital and health system boards of directors, on behalf of the community. WSHA had the distinct honor of winning the first “Dick Davidson Quality Milestone Award”: an earned and historic national recognition of our work. The award will rest prominently in our lobby for decades, as WSHA has not received a higher honor.
Dick mentored CEOs who stand out nationally in the AHA and state associations. His son, Andy Davidson, CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospital and Health Systems, followed his dad’s footsteps. Andy has maintained his heavy load for many months while shuttling back and forth to the east coast as his dad struggled to fully recover from a surgery.
At the end of our day, our hope should be to leave this planet a better place in a small way, whether that be through our offspring, work or charitable efforts. Dick Davidson rang the bell on that hope.
Sincerely,
Scott Bond
President and CEO
