Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA)
Sean Connaughton has had a varied career that has included roles in law, transportation, healthcare, and government. Sean has held high-level positions such as President and CEO of the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Maritime Administrator for the United States government. Additionally, they have served as an attorney for several law firms and worked as a Senior Transportation Associate for the American Petroleum Institute. Throughout their career, Connaughton has been recognized for their achievements in workforce development, revenue diversification, and the promotion of the marine transportation industry. Sean is a former Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and currently holds a position as a Vice President at a marine classification society.
Sean Connaughton earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1983, followed by a Master's degree in International Affairs from Georgetown University in 1987. In 1992, they graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the George Mason University - Antonin Scalia Law School, and later obtained a Graduate Diploma in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College in 1997. In 2012, they completed the Council of State Governments Toll Fellow program, and at an earlier date, they also studied at the Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership.
Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA)
The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association has 27 member health systems and hospitals, representing 110 community, psychiatric, rehabilitation, and specialty hospitals throughout Virginia. Working with our members and other stakeholders, the Association will transform Virginia’s health care system to achieve top tier performance in safety, quality, value, service, and population health. The Association’s leadership is focused on: principled, innovative and effective advocacy; promoting initiatives that improve health care safety, quality, value and service; and, aligning forces among health care and business entities to advance health and economic opportunity for all Virginians. Through the power of collaboration, the Association will be the recognized driving force behind making Virginia the healthiest state in the nation by 2020.