NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Hospital Association announced today the appointment of Lacey Blair to the position of vice president of state government affairs, in which she will serve as the association’s chief state lobbyist.

“During Lacey’s tenure at THA, she has proven to be a trusted and reliable resource for our members and legislators alike,” said THA President and CEO Wendy Long, M.D. “Her commitment to meaningful relationships and thoughtful approach to policy matters have served our organization well at the state Capitol, and I’m excited for her continued success in this new role.”

Blair has been THA’s senior director of advocacy since joining the team in 2018. Prior to coming to the association, she worked as a legislative assistant in the Tennessee state Senate before joining the administration of Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, where she served as a legislative liaison for the Tennessee Department of Health.

In this new role, Blair will lead a team dedicated to ensuring the ability of hospitals to provide the highest quality care for patients. THA’s advocacy efforts focus on a wide range of regulatory and policy issues aimed at supporting the mission of Tennessee’s hospitals to serve the healthcare needs of communities across the state.

 Blair is set to assume the leadership role on Aug. 1. She succeeds Joe Burchfield who is stepping down in August after 11 years with the association.

The Tennessee Hospital Association was founded in 1938 and serves as an advocate for hospitals, health systems and other healthcare organizations across the state. The initiatives of THA support the efforts of Tennessee’s hospitals to ensure high quality care for the patients and communities they serve.