Hardesty Accepts Rural Health Leadership Role

Karla Hardesty, San Luis Valley Health Board of Trustees President, Accepts AHA Rural Leadership Role

Congratulations to Karla Hardesty for her appointment to the American Hospital Association’s Board of Trustees Rural Health Services Committee. Her term begins in January 2025. The Rural Health Services Committee plays an important role in actively advising the AHA on advocacy positions, public policy issues, and Rural strategies. A member of the AHA Board serves as liaison to the Committee to ensure that the AHA Board uses its recommendations and analyses in policy deliberations.

“It is a great way for the AHA to better understand needs in rural communities across our country, in Colorado, and the San Luis Valley, as we advocate for improved healthcare in the United States,” commented Karla about her appointment.

Passionate about access to affordable, quality healthcare with equitable outcomes, Karla has been an SLVH trustee since 2007 and has served on several committees as a board member. Karla also currently sits on the Colorado Hospital Association’s Clinical Leadership and Excellence Council and has been a trustee delegate on the American Hospital Association’s Regional Policy Board and Leadership Development Committee.

Karla’s professional career is in postsecondary education in which she is the dean of academic support with Colorado Mountain College and is pursuing her Doctor of Education in higher education. Although her husband Matt claims her hobby is "meetings," she loves being outdoors to garden, hike, or snowboard and enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.