Executive Staff

Don Wegmiller, Chair - National Board of Advisors, a nationally renowned advocate for quality and accountability in health care for nearly 40 years,  served as the first chairman of the National Board of Advisors. He is currently president and chief executive officer of HealthCare Compensation Strategies.

John R. Combes, M.D., President and Chief Operating Officer, is responsible for staffing and administration, sponsorship development, the national symposia, regional conferences and membership development. He has more than 20 years of experience in executive health care leadership with deep expertise on issues relating to quality, patient safety and medical ethics. Dr. Combes previously served as a senior medical advisor at the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and the American Hospital Association and was a chief medical officer for two large Florida healthcare systems. 

Gene J. O'Dell, Vice President, Development and Operations, is charged with implementing organizational growth strategies and executing the daily operations of the Center. He brings 18 years of health care strategic planning and business development related experience, including positions at BJC HealthCare, St. Louis. Mr. O'Dell also serves as vice president of strategic and business planning for the American Hospital Association.

James E. Orlikoff, Senior Consultant, is the National Advisor on Governance and Leadership to the American Hospital Association and Health Forum and a founding editor and publisher of Health Governance Report. He has written ten books and more than fifty articles, and currently serves on hospital and civic boards. He also is President of Orlikoff & Associates Inc., a consulting firm specializing in healthcare governance and leadership, quality, organizational development, strategy and risk management. 

Mary K. Totten, Director of Content Development, covered leadership issues and trends for health care organization board members. She has authored four books and more than seventy-five articles on governance and leadership issues.