Kuhn Honored for Service to Missouri's Hospitals

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Herb B. Kuhn, former President and CEO of the Missouri Hospital Association, was awarded MHA’s Distinguished Service Award for his long service as a health care policy leader in Missouri and throughout the nation. The award, the highest honor given by MHA, was presented during MHA’s 99th Annual Convention.

“Hospitals in Missouri and throughout the nation are stronger for Herb’s efforts,” said Jon D. Doolittle, MHA President and CEO. “Throughout his lifetime of service — with hospitals and health care policy at the center — he has been a relentless innovator. His energy and focus helped shape the care Missourians receive every day. That’s his legacy.”

Kuhn led MHA for 12 years, retiring in October. Before joining MHA, Kuhn was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a leader in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. At CMS he served in four different roles throughout five years, including as director of the Center for Medicare Management, deputy administrator and acting administrator. He served as acting director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations from April 2008 until January 2009.

Kuhn serves on the A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Board of Trustees. He is a past member of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Advisory Board, Health Care Financial Management Association’s Healthcare Leadership Council and the KPMG Health Care Advisory Board.

He held the position of corporate vice president for the Premier Hospital Alliance before joining CMS. He also served as the vice president for advocacy for the American Hospital Association and worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Kuhn earned a bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University.

The Missouri Hospital Association is a not-for-profit association in Jefferson City that represents 142 Missouri hospitals. In addition to representation and advocacy on behalf of its membership, the association offers continuing education programs on current health care topics and seeks to educate the public about health care issues.

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