Wright State to award honorary degree to Greater Dayton Hospital Association CEO

The honorary Doctor of Humane Letters will be granted to Sarah Hackenbracht, the CEO and president of Greater Dayton Hospital Association, during Wright State University’s spring graduation ceremony.

The ceremony will occur at the Nutter Center at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 29 and the graduate programs ceremony will occur at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 28.

“I am stunned and incredibly humbled by this honor,” Hackenbracht, an alumna, said in a release. “It feels far too early in my career and life for such a recognition. I hope that I can use this recognition and opportunity to strengthen my support for Wright State in a meaningful way.”

Initially a vocal performance major, she graduated in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in women’s studies.

During her undergrad, she participated in Model United Nations and was the head delegate for two consecutive years. She added she initially chose Wright State for its fine and performing arts program but it was her time with Model U.N. that inspired her to choose a different path.

“During my time at Wright State, I had the privilege of working closely with Drs. Laura Luehrmann and Donna Schlagheck in their leadership of Wright State’s award-winning Model United Nations team,” Hackenbracht said. “Because of that experience, I had a front-row seat to their tireless advocacy and unwavering support for their students, programs and department. Those years at Wright State and my connections with the Model United Nations team cemented friendships that carried me into adulthood. Some of those individuals are still cornerstones in my professional life.”

Hackenbracht received a Master of Public Administration and an emerging leader certificate from the University of Dayton, according to the release.

With more than 20 years of nonprofit and health care experience beginning with the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association, she has also serviced as an executive director of the Cuyahoga Health Access Plan and in 2016, she worked with the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association to launch the Dayton region’s advance care planning initiative, Decide to be Heard, and was named president and CEO of the hospital association in 2019.

According to the release, Hackenbracht has been at the forefront of the regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is responsible for a team that serves the region’s 29 hospitals and health systems across 11 counties.

She has also received numerous awards and recognitions such as Cleveland Bridge Builder in 2014, a member of Leadership Dayton’s Class of 2020, an honorary commander for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 2011 and 2022, a member of Dayton Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 in 2010, the Dayton Business Journal’s Power 50 in 2020 and 2022 and the Better Business Women in Business Networking Top 25 in 2020.

The spring class of 2023 includes 1,603 graduates.

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