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Founded in 1898, the American Hospital Association (AHA), located in Chicago, Illinois, is the national organization that represents and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks, and their patients and communities. The AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. Close to 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 37,000 individual members form the AHA. The AHA has offices spanning from California to Washington, D.C.

In September 1899, eight hospital superintendents met in Cleveland to discuss common concerns and interests. The result of this informal gathering was the establishment of the Association of Hospital Superintendents, an organization to facilitate discussion among hospital administrators. For approximately eight years, the Association served as a private club for hospital superintendents, excluding from membership assistant superintendents and others involved in running the hospital. In 1906, membership restrictions were changed to allow those executive officers next in authority below the superintendent to be associate members without vote, and the name was officially changed to the American Hospital Association. Personal membership remained the basis of the AHA until 1918 when the first institutional membership structure was adopted.

Goal: These changes in name and membership base were part of a broader evolution in the thinking and perspective of early 20th century hospital administrators. In 1899, the goal of the superintendents' organization was: To facilitate the interchange of ideas, comparing and contrasting methods of management, the discussion of hospital economics, the inspection of hospitals,, suggestions of better plans for operating them, and such other matters as may affect the general interest of the membership.

In 1907, shortly after the name change, the goal was abbreviated to: The promotion of economy and efficiency in hospital management.

In 1917, the year prior to adopting institutional membership, the Association broadened its objective: To promote the welfare of the people so far as it may be done by the institution, care, and management of hospitals and dispensaries with efficiency and economy; to aid in procuring the cooperation of all organizations with aims and objects similar to those of this Association; and in general, to do all things that may best promote hospital efficiency.

In subsequent years, the language in the mission has been modified to reflect the social and health care climate of the times. In 1937, for example, the object specifically called for development of hospital and outpatient services and emphasized professional education and scientific research. In 195 1, the object was again changed to strengthen the Association's commitment to development of better hospital care for all the people. Revised in 1987, the mission stresses leadership in public policy, representation and advocacy, and services.

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