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Todd SuntrapakTodd Suntrapak

A Children’s Advocate for California

When decisions about healthcare policy are made, the voices of children and families often risk being overshadowed. That’s why Valley Children’s Healthcare President and CEO Todd Suntrapak’s appointment this past year to the American Hospital Association (AHA) Regional Policy Board 9 is so significant, not just for our organization but for every child in California’s Central Valley.

For Suntrapak, this role is more than a seat at the table. It’s an opportunity to ensure that the unique needs of children and their families are heard at the highest levels of healthcare advocacy.

“AHA’s voice gets heard. I will work diligently to bring attention to the critical healthcare needs of the children and families in our Valley Children’s community,” said Suntrapak. “It’s a privilege to join the esteemed policy board as an advocate, as a learner and to represent Valley Children’s outstanding care providers.”

The AHA is a national nonprofit that champions hospitals and health systems across the country. Its regional policy boards — like Region 9, which represents California, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington — play a vital role in shaping the policies that affect care delivery nationwide.

Sean Barry, AHA regional executive for Region 9, underscored the importance of Suntrapak’s leadership: “We depend on the input of leaders like Todd Suntrapak. His experience at the national, state and regional levels makes him uniquely suited to support our advocacy.”

Suntrapak’s commitment to advocacy is rooted in decades of service. For more than 25 years, he has helped guide Valley Children’s mission, becoming president and CEO in 2012. His leadership has shaped policies that protect access to pediatric care for the most vulnerable populations.

He previously served on the AHA Regional Policy Board 9 from 2019 to 2021 and continues to hold key roles in organizations dedicated to advancing children’s health, including:

  • Chair of the California Children’s Hospital Association
  • Executive committee member of the California Hospital Association since 2018
  • Chair of the Hospital Council of Northern & Central California for two years
  • Board member of the California Association of Hospitals and Health Systems since 2021
  • Member of the California Hospital Association Political Action Committee board from 2021 to 2024

Suntrapak’s appointment, which runs through December 2027, is a reminder that advocacy is not abstract; it’s deeply personal. Every policy discussed, every recommendation made, ultimately affects a child’s chance to grow up healthy and strong. Through this role, Suntrapak ensures that the children of the Central Valley and the families who love them are never left behind.