The Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) recently named Steve Holman its Board Chair for 2024. Holman has served as the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Union Health in Terre Haute since 2014. As IHA Chair, Holman will oversee board meetings and play an active role in identifying and establishing priorities for the association.
IHA sat down with Holman to learn more about his goals as Chair.
Q: How did you get into health care?
A: “My first health care position was in bioengineering as a bio-medical technician, which allowed me to work across the ambulatory and acute care network and interact with physicians and staff. From there, I moved into a management position and went back to school and studied business, which led me to become a CEO at a critical access hospital at age 36. What inspired me then, and today, is the mission to care for people in their time of need."
Q: What are some of your biggest goals as the new Board Chair of IHA?
A: “As Board Chair I hope to represent the 170 Indiana hospitals within our system that continue to improve our health in Indiana. In 2024, I would also like to lead the team to improve Medicaid reimbursement for all of our hospitals, which would ultimately help Hoosiers in a better way than we are today. And lastly, I would like to focus our efforts to improve community health by collaborating with public health departments, and other related entities, to create a statewide plan to improve the health of our Hoosiers, with the weight of hospitals behind it."
Q: What are some of your proudest moments in health care?
A: “I would say my first CEO position was among my proudest moments, at that time. I was also fortunate enough to serve on the committee that started the critical access hospital system for the entire country. That was very impactful for the hospital that I worked for because it became a critical access hospital, as did other hospitals throughout the nation. And now working within the Wabash Valley to reorganize a health care system where the hospital, the physician groups, and medical community are working together to benefit our community."
Q: What would you like to see addressed this year during the 2024 legislative session?
A: “As Board Chair, I would like to improve Medicaid funding and implement the changes that need to occur to the Hospital Assessment Fee (HAF) program this session. We have a need to improve a system that hasn't had a change to the base rate for Medicaid patients in over 30 years. I look forward to working with Indiana legislators to help us reimagine the HAF program so that it benefits users in a much greater way."
