BRYAN BUCKLEW
Hospital Council - Northern & Central California (President & CEO)
Sacramento,CA
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven executive with a proven track record of steering organizations through evolving markets and intricate regulatory landscapes. Expertise in public policy advocacy at local, state, and national levels, consistently achieving financial targets while surpassing strategic business benchmarks. Skilled in operational analysis and the implementation of collaborative strategies that enhance communication among diverse stakeholders, ultimately advancing individual member objectives and overarching association goals. Recognized for excellence with accolades such as Non-Profit of the Year and Overall Business of the Year from the Dayton Business Journal, national recognition from the Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility, and California Association of Healthcare Leaders Regent's Award for Senior Executive of the Year.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
President & CEO
Hospital Council - Northern & Central California
10.2018 - Current
- Leads the largest regional hospital association in the United States, representing 214 member hospitals in 50 counties in Northern & Central California.
- Drives collaborative strategies across Northern and Central California to enhance public policy advocacy, healthcare delivery systems, emergency preparedness, and member engagement.
- Serves as chief liaison to state agencies, utilities, and regulatory bodies to safeguard healthcare infrastructure and access.
- Launched grassroots and quality-data advocacy platforms influencing policy at all local & regional levels of government.
- Four consecutive years (2021–2024) with zero hospital disruptions from Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events—down from 104 affected hospitals in 2019—through strategic infrastructure planning and multi-sector coordination. Ongoing savings of $290.2 million per year.
- Fostered collaboration among stakeholders to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
- Developed and implemented policies aligned with healthcare regulations and best practices.
- Oversaw financial management, ensuring sustainable funding and resource allocation for projects.
Chief Executive Officer
Axiom Clinical Research Organization
05.2016 - 10.2018
- Executive leader of a multi-hospital clinical research organization created to support clinical trials and studies for Ascend Innovation projects.
- Leadership areas include;
- Assisted designing and implementing a governance model that includes a board of trustees, scientific advisory board and identifying a primary investigator for specific trials
- Worked with President to develop strategic road map, marketing plan and operational budget
President & CEO
Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association
08.2005 - 10.2018
- Executive leader of a 29-member regional hospital association in Ohio reporting directly to hospital and network CEO's.
- Primary areas of emphasis include;
- Quality of Care - Build upon statewide leadership demonstrated by GDAHA to provide the most efficient, effective, and highest quality of care to patients in the Dayton region
- Advocacy - Communicate, facilitate and influence the development of healthcare policy to key regional, state and federal legislative & regulatory agencies
- Member Services and Reports - Identify and provide programs, services and/or reports that strengthen members' viability and success to provide the highest quality, efficient, and effective patient care.
- Health Information Technology - Provide opportunities for GDAHA members to implement health information technology and share health information from multiple healthcare providers in an efficient and effective manner.
- Innovation & Research - Identify and lead strategic initiatives for hospitals to increase research and innovation opportunities
Vice President - Public Policy & Economic Development
Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce
03.1997 - 08.2005
- Designed and implemented the entire operation of a previously non-existent public policy department that included a 3,200-member grassroots advocacy program - the largest of any chamber in Ohio at the time.
- Researched, developed and implemented a public/private partnership program to address regional transportation needs; this effort secured $1.85 billion in federal and state investments over a 6-year funding cycle with a 10-year construction window.
- Researched and communicated over 350 separate legislative and regulatory issues for the Chamber’s advocacy program
District Director
U.S. Congressman Tony P. Hall
01.1992 - 01.1997
- Responsible for all aspects of congressional district office operations that included the management of all district staff, local legislative/regulatory issues, constituent services and media relations.
Education
Master of Arts - Public Administration
University of Dayton
01.2002
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Wright State University
01.1992
Skills
- Recognized leader in identifying future healthcare industry trends
- Extensive experience with local, state & national legislative/regulatory processes
- Consistently brings forward innovative initiatives to keep stakeholders ahead of changes in healthcare delivery and funding issues
- Deep understanding and success working with local, state and national media organizations (electronic, print & video)
- Accomplished development and implementation of multiple strategic and yearly business plans
- Outstanding ability to lead divergent and competitive stakeholders through a coordinated strategy
Accomplishments
- Developed and implemented Ascend Innovations, an $11.5 million for-profit joint venture between three competing hospital networks and a private-sector innovation firm to develop and commercialize medical technologies and processes.
- Designed and implemented formal agreements with the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to embed research scientists into Ascend and leverage military bio-tech innovation into the commercial market through the hospital association and Ascend Innovations.
- Successfully reorganized the management and operation of the regional residency program that coordinated eight (8) different hospitals with a 45% savings allowing for the continued reimbursement of medical education and participation in a joint residency program.
- At the request of a bi-partisan congressional delegation, successfully convened and led a multi-stakeholder group to review quality and infection control practices at the Dayton VA Medical Center. Provided multiple reports to the Members of United States Congress and relevant congressional committees that included joint committee testimony.
- Increased association membership by 32% during tenure at GDAHA.
- Recognized leader in establishing the region’s first mental & behavioral health crisis stabilization unit (CSU) and sobering center serving all hospitals in multi-county area in partnership with local and state government agencies.
- Lead executive of Axiom Clinical Research - an emerging clinical research organization (CRO) that will allow more than 20 hospitals to participate in clinical trials from both Ascend Innovations and outside medical/healthcare organizations.
- Leader of the regional effort to establish a new Doctoral of Physical Therapy program with the University of Dayton - this project and subsequent efforts have shown a 52% increase in locally educated PT graduates staying in the Dayton region and working at member hospitals since this program became operational.
- Organized and directed a diverse public & private stakeholder group creating the region’s first general access Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) which combined clinics from multiple hospital networks.
Awards
Alfred P. Sloan Flexible Workplace Award - Top Ten Nationally, Dayton Business Journal - Overall Business of the Year, Dayton Business Journal - Non-Profit of the Year, Dayton Business Journal - Business Executive of the Year (Finalist), Wright State University - Outstanding Alumni Award for the College of Liberal Arts, Dayton Business Journal - Most Influential Business Individual, Dayton Business Journal - 40 Under 40, Leadership Dayton - Program of the Year & Outstanding Alumni Award
Affiliations
- Current Treasurer & Past Chair - Conference of Metropolitan Hospitals Association
- Member - American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board (Region X)
- Ambulance Patient Offload Task Force - State of California
- Past Advisory Board Member - Federal Reserve Board of Cleveland
- Past Chair - Dayton Region Mental & Behavioral Health Task Force
- Past Board Member - Ascend Innovations
- Past Member - American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board (Region V)
- Past Adjunct Professor - University of Dayton
- Past Adjunct Professor - Wright State University
- Past Chair - Ohio Metro Hospital Associations
- Past Chair - Equitas Health (formerly AIDS Resource Center of Ohio)
- Past Member- American Hospital Association State Issues Forum
- Past Chair - Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority
- Past Chair - CultureWorks Community Campaign
- Past Board Member - Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley
Certification
Health Care Economics (Harvard Unviersity Online)
Timeline
Health Care Economics (Harvard Unviersity Online)
10-2025
Fellow - American College of Healthcare Executives
12-2023
President & CEO
Hospital Council - Northern & Central California
10.2018 - Current
Chief Executive Officer
Axiom Clinical Research Organization
05.2016 - 10.2018
President & CEO
Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association
08.2005 - 10.2018
Vice President - Public Policy & Economic Development
Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce
03.1997 - 08.2005
District Director
U.S. Congressman Tony P. Hall
01.1992 - 01.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Wright State University
Master of Arts - Public Administration
University of Dayton