Valued Voice

Jim Nelson and Jon HoelterEvery year, in consultation with state hospital associations, one individual in each state is honored as a “Grassroots Champion” by the American Hospital Association (AHA). For 2025, Fort HealthCare’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jim Nelson received the AHA Grassroots Champion Award for Wisconsin. 

WHA Vice President of Federal Affairs and Advocacy Jon Hoelter presented the award to Nelson at Fort HealthCare on March 25. Nelson has actively participated in numerous important advocacy activities, including regularly attending Capitol Hill visits with WHA, WHA’s annual Advocacy Day and Hospital Education and Advocacy Team (HEAT) Roundtables with state lawmakers. 

“For many years, Jim has advocated on behalf of all Wisconsin hospitals, engaging in advocacy on key AHA and WHA shared priority issues, including the importance of extending Medicare funding for Low-Volume Hospitals like Fort Healthcare,” said Jon Hoelter in presenting the award. “Jim understands that the most effective way to advocate for hospital issues is for lawmakers and their staff to hear directly from hospital leaders.”

Nelson has also been an active member of HEAT and a longtime contributor to the Wisconsin Hospital’s PAC & Conduit. Nelson has served on numerous WHA boards, councils and task forces, including:

• WHA Information Center Board
• WHA Audit and Investment Committee
• WHA Transparency Task Force
• WHA Medicaid Reimbursement Workgroup
• WHA Council on Finance, Chair