DALLAS-Parkland's President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ron J. Anderson, has been named to the American Hospital Association's Board of Trustees.

As a trustee, he will assist with representing all types of hospitals, health care networks and their patients and communities as the association advocates for improvements to the health care system. The Board of Trustees is the policy-making body of the association and manages its direction and finances. His term will begin Jan. 1, 2009, and end Dec. 31, 2011.

"The ability to get involved in national health policy development, legislation and regulatory debates is vital not just for Parkland, but for hospitals across the nation as well as for the patients whom they serve," said Dr. Anderson. "While Parkland strives to provide high-quality health care, a healthy community also depends on the joint efforts of health care providers everywhere."

The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities.