President/CEO Appointed to American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board

Sierra View Medical Center is proud to announce that Donna Hefner, DHA, RN, MSHS, BSN President and CEO of Sierra View Medical Center, has been appointed as a State Delegate for the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) 2025 Regional Policy Board 9. This prestigious appointment recognizes her leadership and commitment to improving healthcare access and quality for communities in California’s Central Valley and beyond.

The AHA is a national organization that advocates for hospitals and healthcare systems, ensuring they have the resources and policies necessary to provide high-quality care. The Regional Policy Board (RPB) plays a key role in shaping national healthcare policies by addressing critical issues affecting hospitals, patients, and communities. As a State Delegate for California, Hefner will collaborate with healthcare leaders from California, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington to ensure that the region’s healthcare needs are represented at the national level.

This week, Hefner attended her first AHA Regional Policy Board 9 conference as a state delegate in Honolulu, Hawaii, where discussions centered around strengthening public trust and confidence in healthcare. She is particularly focused on how hospitals can harness their collective voice to amplify local success stories and serve as trusted sources of health information for their communities. Additionally, she shared Sierra View Medical Center’s digital strategy on a national platform, highlighting innovative ways to engage and inform patients.

Hefner has dedicated more than 30 years to nursing and healthcare leadership, bringing clinical expertise and strategic vision to Sierra View Medical Center since her appointment as President and CEO in 2013. Under her leadership, the hospital has expanded key services, including the Roger S. Good Cancer Treatment Center, the Urology Clinic in partnership with Keck Medicine of USC, and the Wound Healing Center in partnership with Healogics. She has also been instrumental in developing Sierra View’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) Internal Medicine Residency Program and supporting the Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™, fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Beyond Sierra View, Hefner is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Past President and Vice Chairperson of the District Hospital Leadership Forum (DHLF), and Chairperson of the BETA Council, where she previously served as Vice Chairperson and Secretary. She is also a current member of Rotary International and Section Chair of the Tulare/Kings Hospital Council of Northern and Central California. Additionally, she serves on the BAIS Board of Directors, a role she has held since December 2018.

Hefner’s appointment to the AHA Regional Policy Board 9 is a testament to her dedication to rural healthcare advocacy and her ability to navigate complex healthcare challenges. She will serve in this role through 2027, working closely with national leaders to drive meaningful policy changes.