Del. Chris Collins honored by hospital PAC

Del. Chris Collins, with Valley Health leaders and physicians after receiving VHHA’s Triple H Award Thursday. Left to right: David Harry, MD; Mark H. Merrill; Del. Chris Collins; Ronald Repasky, MD; Travis Clark.

Winchester, VA – Delegate Chris Collins received a Triple H (HosPAC Healthcare Hero) Award from the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) Thursday (June 8) at Valley Health in Winchester.

Mark H. Merrill, President and CEO of Valley Health and Vice Chair of the VHHA Board, and N. Travis Clark, Vice President of Operations for Valley Health’s Southern Region, presented the award on behalf of VHHA’s political action committee, HosPAC, which represents 107 of Virginia’s hospitals.

The Triple H Award recognizes legislators who epitomize leadership, advocacy and dedication to the mission of the VHHA in the community and the Virginia General Assembly. Recipients are selected by a HosPAC panel which reviews state legislators’ voting records, advocacy and collaboration efforts on issues impacting hospitals and the healthcare industry.

“Valley Health greatly appreciates the tremendous work Delegate Collins has done to serve and represent this community,” Merrill said. “His leadership in helping to improve and protect our healthcare delivery system has earned him the Hero Award. As we have recently and unfortunately witnessed, the threat of cyberattack is disruptive, alarming and frightening. Delegate Collins’ legislation came just weeks before a major global attack that targeted hospitals across the planet, highlighting the unique dangers confronting the health care industry and our patients through this pernicious threat.”

Merrill continued: “The hospital community and I, personally, are deeply grateful for Delegate Collins’ work on HB 1544, which provided for increased flexibility to meet the needs of our patients. His legislation provided a common-sense solution to state regulations that will allow us to better meet the charity needs of patients in our community. VHHA and Valley Health look forward to working with Delegate Collins to further improve healthcare in Virginia and to promote the health and economic prosperity of the people of Virginia.”