January 19, 2011—Larry S. Gage, who founded the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (NAPH) in 1981 and has served for 30 years as NAPH’s president, has announced he will retire from the position on July 1.
Bruce Siegel M.D., who joined NAPH last October as the association’s first chief executive officer, will assume the title of president.
Gage was one of the driving forces behind the 340B program’s creation in 1992. A year later under his leadership, NAPH formed the Public Hospital Pharmacy Coalition (PHPC), the group that evolved into SNHPA in 2007.
“Voice for Safety-Net Hospitals”
“Each 340B hospital has reason to be grateful for Larry’s leadership in both advocating for inclusion of hospitals in the original 340B legislation and in helping to establish and support SNHPA’s predecessor organization,” said SNHPA President and General Counsel William von Oehsen. “Larry has served as the voice for safety-net hospitals for more than three decades and, for me personally, he has been both a friend and mentor.”
“Larry has been an advocate for safety-net hospitals and their patients throughout his stellar career,” said Siegel. “While I am excited to take over the reins as president, I have a tall order to fill—continuing Larry’s legacy of protecting the viability of safety-net health systems and their mission to provide care to all in their community.”
Gage will continue to practice law as a partner in the health practice group of the law firm of Ropes and Gray LLP, where he will continue to provide legal counsel and policy advice to NAPH and other clients.