ACHI’s Thompson to transition from CEO role

by Roby Brock ([email protected]) 649 views 

Dr. Joe Thompson announced Tuesday (Jan. 21) that he will transition from his role as president and CEO of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI) and serve as president emeritus.

Craig Wilson, ACHI’s health policy director, will be interim president and CEO starting this month.

“After 22 years of leading ACHI, and following discussions with ACHI’s governance board, composed of leaders from UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital (former member), Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and the Arkansas Department of Health, I will be transitioning from my role as president and CEO to serve as president emeritus,” said Thompson in a memo distributed to ACHI supporters.

“As I reflect on the past two decades, I am proud of our many successes. To name just a few, the statewide trauma system has saved hundreds of lives; thousands of individuals have been protected from tobacco impacts by the clean indoor air laws; 50% fewer teenagers die each year because of the graduated driver’s license requirements; and the Medicaid expansion — originally the ‘Private Option’ and now ARHOME — has served more than 750,000 individuals,” added Thompson.

ACHI is based in Little Rock and is a nonpartisan, independent health policy center. Its mission statement says it “serves as a catalyst for improving the health of all Arkansans through evidence-based research, public issue advocacy, and collaborative program development.”

Dr. Joe Thompson

The group regularly issues white papers, studies and press information related to a multitude of different health issues and data.

Wilson has been with ACHI for a decade and a half. He is a frequent contributor to Talk Business & Politics on healthcare policy and analysis.

Thompson said Wilson’s role as interim head of the organization will ensure a smooth transition.

“Craig is entering his 15th year at ACHI and has unequaled legislative, regulatory, and healthcare systems knowledge at state and federal levels. During his tenure, Craig has led health workforce strategic planning efforts, helped advance legislation, and influenced the development of the Arkansas Healthcare Transparency Initiative. The future of the organization is in great hands,” said Thompson.