Dianne J. Anderson, RN, MS, President & CEO of Lawrence General Hospital, has received the prestigious 2019 William L. Lane Hospital Advocate Award from the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA). Each year at the association’s annual meeting, MHA publicly acknowledges one senior hospital or health system executive for outstanding efforts on behalf of their organization, innovative and positive leadership, and extraordinary advocacy to achieve healthcare access and high-quality, safe care for all. Of equal importance is the awardee’s passionate commitment to their institution’s mission and the effect of their work in the larger healthcare community.
Anderson has been at the helm of Lawrence General Hospital since 2009. In their nomination submission, Anderson’s team commended her for “bringing a new vision and a new horizon of possibilities” to the facility.
Anderson was recognized for increasing Lawrence General’s capacity and capability despite the challenge of having approximately 75% of gross patient service revenue from Medicare and Medicaid. She has also built important provider partnerships, reinvigorated care teams, and reached out to community, education, and business leaders to develop new service lines, and to create programs addressing the social determinants of health.
As a result of Anderson’s leadership, Lawrence General Hospital was the first hospital in New England to achieve accreditation for cardiovascular excellence and was one of only four hospitals nationwide to receive the American College of Cardiologists’ HeartCare Center of Excellence award. In addition, Lawrence General Hospital executed the largest capital project in its history to replace its surgical facilities and related support systems.
“This focus on improvement suddenly became critically important last September 13th for the more than 30,000 affected people in Lawrence General’s service area, when the Merrimack Valley experienced widespread fires and explosions affecting 40-plus miles of Columbia Gas pipelines,” said Joseph A. White, MBA, FACHE, incoming MHA Board Chair and president & CEO of Lowell General Hospital and Circle Health, who presented the award to Anderson. “Because of Dianne’s leadership and capacity-building, the hospital and its partners were ready to treat injuries, save lives and provide stability amidst chaos and recovery. Lawrence General Hospital was there when patients needed it the most.”
About the William L. Lane Award
The William L. Lane Hospital Advocate Award was created to embody the spirit of William Lane, who led Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, MA, for many years. The award recognizes professional excellence, outstanding achievements, innovative accomplishments, extraordinary compassion in caring for patients, success in overcoming barriers, and exemplary contributions to effective advocacy on behalf of hospitals, patients, and the healthcare system passionate commitment to its mission and outstanding work in the broader healthcare community.
