Health Research & Educational Trust | Center | AHA

Skip to main content

Transforming Health Care Through Research and Education

Founded in 1944, the Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET) is the not-for-profit research and education affiliate of the American Hospital Association (AHA). HRET’s mission is to transform health care through research and education. HRET’s applied research seeks to create new knowledge, tools and assistance in improving the delivery of health care by providers and practitioners within the communities they serve.

• HRET History

  HRET's Vision: Leveraging research and education to create a society of healthy communities, where all individuals reach their highest potential for health.

  In 1943 the American Hospital Association's (AHA) House of Delegates passed a resolution recommending voluntary health insurance, government aid for those who could not pay for health care and federal aid for the construction of hospitals where needed. The last item was a special challenge because there was no complete inventory of the nation's hospitals by location, ownership, number of beds or services offered. In fact, there was no precise definition for "hospital." These shortcomings made it impossible to study the country's need for hospitals and other medical facilities.

  The AHA moved to fill this void by commissioning a study to evaluate existing facilities and services, project the need for hospitals and offer recommendations for action at the end of World War II. The AHA commission obtained grants from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Commonwealth Fund and the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. However, when it became apparent in 1944 that the AHA was not classified by the IRS as a sole educational, charitable, or scientific organization-and therefore not eligible to receive most grants-the AHA established the Hospital Research and Educational Trust. HRET was renamed Health Research and Educational Trust in 1999.

• HRET Board of Trustees

  Heidi Duncan, M.D. Family Practice Physician Physician Director of Health Policy Billings Clinic Billings, MT

  Russell R. Gronewold President and CEO Bryan Health Lincoln, NE

  Chris DeRienzo, M.D. (ex-officio) President of HRET Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive, AHA

AHA Funded Partnerships

The work of AHA Funded Partnerships augments support of the nation’s hospitals and health systems and the patients and communities they serve through grant-funded work.

Learn More

Historical Forms and Reports

• Making an Impact in 2017
• Driving Impact in 2016
• Making an Impact in 2015
• Making an Impact in 2014
• Making an Impact in 2013
• Making an Impact in 2012
• Making an Impact in 2011
• Making an Impact in 2010
• Form 990

AHA Center for Health Innovation