The Alabama Hospital Association announced Tuesday that Dr. Don Williamson will retire as president and chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2025. Concurrently, the AlaHA Board of Trustees has selected Danne Howard as his successor, marking the first time a woman will lead the Association.
Williamson has served as president and CEO since November 2015, guiding AlaHA through an era of significant challenges, the Association said. “His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic provided steady and decisive guidance to Alabama’s hospitals. In the post-pandemic environment, marked by evolving financial pressures and structural shifts, Dr. Williamson remained a vocal and steadfast advocate for access to high-quality care, particularly for underserved populations,” the AlaHA said.
“Don has been a trusted leader and a tireless advocate for better health in Alabama,” said Vernon Johnson, chair of the AlaHA Board of Trustees and CEO of Dale Medical Center. “His steady hand during the pandemic, his commitment to access to care, and his lifetime of service have left a lasting mark on our healthcare system. We are deeply grateful for his dedication and proud to honor his extraordinary contributions.”
With Williamson’s retirement, the Association will welcome new leadership under Danne Howard, who brings nearly three decades of experience with AlaHA, most recently as deputy director and chief operating officer. “Ms. Howard has played a central role in the Association’s advocacy, policy development, operations, and emergency preparedness,” the AlaHA said. “She has represented Alabama’s hospitals at the state and national levels with strength, skill, and consistency.”
A native of central Alabama, Howard’s deep institutional knowledge, long-standing relationships and operational leadership uniquely position her to lead AlaHA into a new chapter the Association said.
“Danne is a highly respected voice in healthcare with a long-standing track record of success,” said AlaHA Board Chair Vernon Johnson. “Her leadership is guided by a clear sense of purpose and a deep dedication to the health and well-being of Alabamians. Danne brings the experience, insight, and vision necessary to lead the Association forward in this new chapter.”
