Bill McGinley, the dynamic president and CEO of the American College of Health Care Administrators, has announced his retirement. He will remain through the group’s online annual convocation in April and is expected to “hand over the reins” near the end of May.
Since assuming ACHCA’s top post in late 2017, he has boosted the organization with a firm hand, expanding its size and stature. He first joined the group when he became a licensed long-term care administrator in 1982 and plans to remain involved as the treasurer of its Massachusetts chapter.
Coaxed away from potential retirement a little over three years ago, McGinley has become well known as a candid industry spokesman and clear-eyed writer. His column for mcknights.com just after the start of the pandemic about nursing homes’ “raw deal” set a readership record, garnering hundreds of thousands of views.
He notified ACHCA’s board of directors Friday of his plans to step down. He was expected to make a public announcement Monday morning.
“It has been an honor and privilege to lead this association that I have belonged to for my entire career and that I love,” he told McKnight’s in an email. “I will miss the daily contact with our members, but I will stay a member and hope to see many at future convocations. I am most proud of the hundreds and hundreds of new members that joined during my tenure and that I was able to raise the profile of the association.”
McGinley’s career has included lengthy stints as a top executive for Greenery Rehabilitation Group, Whitney Place/Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, and Brightview Senior Living. After 41 years in the workforce, however, the Massachusetts native said it is now time for him and his wife, Sue, who retired two years ago, to enjoy more leisure time.
“I look forward to the next chapter in my life, and hopefully some more travel,” the 67-year-old noted.
The ACHCA board is conducting an open search for his replacement.
“Over the course of his three-year tenure, Bill has stabilized our operations, enhanced ACHCA’s visibility in the post-acute community, and set us back on a successful course,” ACHCA Board Chair Bob Lane said. “His relatability, level head and dedication to this association will be missed tremendously.”
Among his favored accomplishments, McGinley lists combating ageism and enhancing relationships with industry partners such as the American Health Care Association, American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing, National Association of Health Care Assistants and the American Medical Directors Association.
“I am happy that we were able to collaborate with our industry partners during the pandemic,” he told McKnight’s, “for the betterment of the profession and long-term care in general.”
