Duane Reynolds

Chief of Inclusion and Diversity

Duane Reynolds

(He, Him) is 39

President and CEO of the Institute for Diversity and Health Equity (Institute) of the American Hospital Association (AHA)

Duane has spent more than 17 years in the health care field, much of his experience in leading health care operations for academic and community health systems.  Throughout his career, he has been a stalwart champion for diversity and inclusion, realizing that a health system’s ability to care for and improve the health of vulnerable and underserved populations is both an altruistic goal and the right thing to do for the business of health care.

Prior to being named President and CEO of the Institute, Duane served as chief of inclusion and diversity and director of consulting, leading both internal and commercial consulting efforts within Optum Advisory Services, a part of United Health Group. In addition to serving as the executive responsible for diversity and inclusion, Duane developed a novel, innovative approach to helping health care systems and health plans address their own diversity, inclusion and health equity challenges.  He also spearheaded the development of the Advisory Board Company’s LGBTQ business resource group, which earned them recognition as a 2017 and 2018 “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign.

In his new role, Duane will lead the Institute’s efforts to reduce health care inequities and advance diversity and inclusion across the health care field.  The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks and other providers of care.