On 6 May 2025, the IHF’s Association Leaders Circle brought together senior leaders from hospital associations worldwide to address how they can better serve their members and sustain their operations. 

Held virtually and chaired by Dr Wang-Jun Lee, Vice President of the Korean Hospital Association, the session spotlighted three strategic pillars for strengthening associations: training and education for engagement, technology for operational efficiency, and membership diversification for revenue generation. Leaders from the United States, Spain, and Malaysia shared their experiences and practical lessons. 

Strengthening member engagement through education

Michelle Hood, Executive VP and COO, American Hospital Association (AHA) opened the discussion by highlighting how tailored education builds stronger connections with members across a wide range of hospital types. Some of the key approaches included: 

• Professional membership groups: These discipline-specific communities such as nursing and risk management provide individual memberships and targeted education. 

• Microlearning and digital badging: AHA offers short, flexible learning modules and digital credentials to address evolving skills and recognition needs. 

• Partnerships with universities: Embedding healthcare leadership topics into academic programmes helps engage future professionals early. 

• Advisory services: AHA also supports hospitals with grant writing, internal training, and strategic planning. 

She stressed that education is a member benefit, not a product. Making it accessible, relevant, and aligned with emerging needs keeps members engaged and increases their perceived value from the association. 

Enhancing operations through innovation and AI

Carles Oliete, Technical Officer at the Catalan Hospital and Social Services Association (La Unió) shared how their organization is embracing technology with a strong ethical foundation. They do this through: 

• Strategic foresight: Over 120 professionals participated in building a long-term roadmap for healthcare transformation in Catalonia focused on sustainability, leadership, and integration. 

• AI governance: La Unió published a 10 point guide for ethical AI implementation and data governance, ensuring compliance with strict European regulations. 

• Collaborative learning platforms: Members share innovations via digital platforms, fostering a connected, innovative community. 

• Policy alignment: The association works closely with Catalonia’s health ministry to bridge regulation and practice, ensuring that member needs drive broader digital health strategies. 

Responsible innovation backed by ethics, collaboration, and foresight ensures sustainable transformation. 

Diversifying membership to sustain revenue

Dr Kuljit Singh, President of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) emphasized the importance of diversifying membership. APHM, representing 167 of the 220 private hospitals in Malaysia, operates with a lean structure but an expansive impact. 

• Annual flagship conference: This major event is their main revenue stream, supported by sponsors and registration fees. 

• Government-aligned training: The association offers accredited courses tailored to Malaysia’s regulatory requirements, adding practical value for members. 

• Strategic positioning: Kuala Lumpur is being developed as a hub for healthcare conferences, leveraging Malaysia’s affordability and connectivity to attract international events and revenue. 

• Inclusive engagement: APHM collaborates with other health sectors through events, even if they’re not formal members. 

His presentation illustrated how crucial to understand your niche and to leverage local advantages. 

Looking ahead: collaboration, relevance, and purpose

Panellists agreed on a common challenge: many associations tend to add services but rarely sunset old ones. Regular evaluation, member feedback, and focused governance are essential to stay effective. 

One of the key takeaways of the session was that whether through best practice sharing, advocacy, or innovation, hospital associations are essential platforms for collective progress. As healthcare becomes more complex, organizations must stay focused on their members’ needs and ready to adapt. 

The discussion on this topic and similar ones will continue at this year’s World Hospital Congress in Geneva (10-13 November 2025).