William H. Considine, former President and CEO of Akron Children’s Hospital, has dedicated both his career and personal life to improving pediatric care and the quality of life for children and families.
Prior to transitioning into the role of former president and CEO in 2018, he was one of the longest-tenured hospital chief executives in the country. He is an internationally known advocate for issues affecting children’s health and well-being. He is widely consulted by policymakers in Columbus and Washington, D.C., and has served on the boards of many healthcare, educational and cultural organizations.
During his tenure as president and CEO, the hospital grew into one of the nation’s premier independent, integrated pediatric healthcare delivery systems. Akron Children’s today is a $1 billion enterprise with more than 6,000 employees. Its clinical staff provides care at more than 1 million patient encounters annually through two hospital campuses and a network of more than 60 primary care, urgent care and specialty care locations. Akron Children’s collaborates with community partners to bring its neonatal and pediatric expertise to patients in their healthcare facilities. The system also comprises the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, a pediatric home care company, school health program, captive insurance entity and charitable foundation.
Considine is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is a past chairman of the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, now known as the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA). He is a current member and served on the CHA’s Council on Child Advocacy. He served as chairman of the Child Health Corporation of America and was a member of the American Hospital Association’s Maternal Child Health Governing Council. He is the immediate past chairman of the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association. He is also a past chairman of the Children’s Miracle Network Board and served on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Health Care Payment Innovation, as well as the Ohio Hospital Association’s Task Force on Healthcare Transformation.
In 2009, Considine was inducted into the Business Hall of Fame. He is a member of the Ohio Business Roundtable and was appointed to the Board of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in 2011. Considine continues to serve on the boards of numerous Akron-area community organizations and has been honored by many of these, including the American Lung Association, March of Dimes, Mental Health Association of Summit County, Akron Public Schools and many others. In 2011, the Akron Community Foundation presented him with the Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award in recognition of his many years of community service. In 2014, both the United Way and Akron Children’s Hospital presented Considine with their Distinguished Service Awards. In 2018, he received the Ohio Hospital Association’s Newkirk Lifetime Achievement Award.
Considine has been honored by his high school alma mater, Archbishop Hoban High School, as well as The University of Akron, where he received his undergraduate degree in 1969. He served as a lieutenant in the United States Public Health Service and holds a master’s degree in health science administration from The Ohio State University. He has received two honorary degrees: a doctorate in humane letters from The University of Akron and a doctor of science from Northeast Ohio Medical University.
Throughout his career, he has embraced the philosophy of servant above self. He has been a respected leader, trusted mentor, engaging storyteller and a steadfast voice for children. Akron Children’s Hospital has a proud 128-year history of caring for children, and the hospital’s mission of service thrived under his guidance.
In 2017, Considine published his first book, “Leadership.” He lives in Akron with Rebecca, his wife of 46 years. They have three grown children and two grandchildren.