Press Release: The Association for the Health Care Environment Announces New Executive Director

Chicago, March 4, 2024 | Formats: News Release

CHICAGO — The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) has selected its next executive director: Elizabeth “Lizzie” Ortolano. Ortolano will replace current AHE executive director Patti Costello, who is retiring April 5 after 29 years with the American Hospital Association and AHE.

“Patti has done a tremendous job leading AHE through both good times and challenges like the recent pandemic,” said Deanna Martin, MS, CAE, Vice President of Professional Membership Groups at the American Hospital Association. “She works tirelessly to support AHE members and environmental services leaders in hospitals and other care settings.”

Ortolano will serve as executive director for both AHE and another AHA professional membership group, the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE). Prior to this role, Ortolano was executive director of ASHE and another professional membership group. She brings nearly 20 years of leadership and association experience to AHE.

“Lizzie is a strong leader who excels at creating a culture of collaboration to meet strategic goals,” says Martin. “She’ll be a great fit with the AHE team, the AHE Advisory Board, and AHE members, and will continue to ensure AHE meets member needs.”

About AHE

The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is a professional membership group of the American Hospital Association. AHE is the organization of choice for professionals responsible for caring for the patient and resident care environment across all care settings; including hospitals, long term care, continuing care retirement communities and ambulatory care. AHE advances members’ ability to establish and maintain care environments that are free of environmental surface contamination and that support safety, service, and efficient and effective operations. www.ahe.org