(Bethesda, MD, May 11, 2007) - The American Hospital Association (AHA), in partnership with the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA), has awarded the Partnership for Action Grassroots Champion Award to Brian Gragnolati, President and CEO of Suburban Hospital. As a 2007 Grassroots Champion, Gragnolati is being recognized for his exceptional leadership in generating grassroots and community activity in support of the mission of U.S. hospitals.

The Partnership for Action Grassroots Champion Award was created to recognize those hospital leaders who: most effectively educate elected officials on how major issues affect the hospital’s vital role in the community; conduct an exemplary job in broadening the base of community support for hospitals; and serve as a tireless advocate for hospitals and their patients.

“Brian is extremely active in his community and in Annapolis and Washington on issues vital to MHA and all hospitals,” said Cal Pierson, president, Maryland Hospital Association. “His leadership and commitment has made a difference for the patients served at Suburban Hospital and at hospitals across the state.”

Gragnolati currently serves as the first chairman of the Maryland Hospital Association’s Community Hospitals Connection, which functions to break new ground in community connections. He also is an active advocate on hospital legislative and policy issues with the Maryland General Assembly and the Governor’s office. Additionally, he is the catalyst for a major, new statewide study of the physician workforce being undertaken jointly by MHA and the Maryland State Medical Society.

In presenting the award, American Hospital Association President Richard J. Umbdenstock said: “Your leadership and dedication to promoting the mission of hospitals has added a strong voice on a local and national level. The compassion and hard work you have demonstrated has made a difference for your patients and your community and has earned you this special recognition.”

The Partnership for Action Grassroots Champion Award is presented annually to one individual from each state. Winners are chosen by the state association and recognized at a special Breakfast of Grassroots Champions at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting.

Maryland Hospital Association (MHA) is the advocate for Maryland hospitals, health systems and their patients before legislative and regulatory bodies. Its membership is comprised of community and teaching hospitals, health systems, specialty hospitals, veterans’ hospitals and long-term care facilities. For more information, visit http://www.mdhospitals.org/

American Hospital Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which includes 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks and other providers of care, and 37,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit http://www.aha.org/

Suburban Hospital is a not-for-profit, community-owned hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, that has served Montgomery County and the surrounding area for more than 60 years. Suburban Hospital is distinguished by a cutting-edge certified Primary Stroke Center; state-designated level II trauma center; centers of excellence in cardiac care, orthopedics and joint replacement surgery, neurosciences, and oncology; state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment tools; and affiliations with world-class institutions, including the neighboring National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins Medicine. More information is available at http://www.suburbanhospital.org/