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📜 A Look Back: The 10th National Hospital Day Report (1931) As we reflect on the history behind National Hospital Week, the 1931 Official Report of the Committee of the 10th National Hospital Day offers an incredible snapshot of how far this celebration had grown in just a decade. 🔹 Widespread Participation On May 12, 1931, 47 states, the District of Columbia, six Canadian provinces, as well as Alaska and New Zealand took part in National Hospital Day activities. Historical note: In 1931, the U.S. had only 48 states—Alaska and Hawaii were still territories and wouldn’t achieve statehood until 1959. 🔹 AHA’s Nationwide Outreach For that year’s event, the AHA distributed 6,500 leaflets with program ideas and publicity tips to help local leaders organize their efforts. 🔹 Support from National Leadership President Herbert Hoover met with an AHA delegation—President Sexton, Father Garesche, and Committee Chairman Matthew Foley—again expressing his active support for National Hospital Day. 🔹 Radio: The Rising Communications Powerhouse The Committee focused heavily on securing national radio coverage. An estimated 450 radio announcements aired across chain broadcasts. 🔹 Chicago Leading the Way In Chicago alone, at least 775 local programs were organized by local chairs and committees, highlighting the role of hospitals and the purpose behind National Hospital Day. These early efforts helped build the foundation for what later became National Hospital Week—an enduring tradition celebrating hospitals, caregivers, and the communities they serve. #WeAreHealthcare

Developing the next generation of your leadership team is crucial to ensuring your hospital continues to thrive and serve your patients and community. Join us on Feb. 18 for a webinar on how the AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship can help talented future leaders the skills, mentorship, and confidence to drive real change within their hospitals and health systems. aha.org/center/next-generati…

The AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship gives emerging leadership talent the opportunity to be paired with a mentor and complete a capstone project that helps enhance patient care at your hospital. Learn more about this program during an informational webinar on Feb. 18. Click here to register. ow.ly/7Gzg50Y4Xf4