Laura Robertson, RN, and chief executive officer of Banner Baywood Medical Center and Banner Heart Hospital, has been appointed to the Council of Regents, the legislative body of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).

The Council of Regents serves as the link between ACHE and its members by approving governance and membership regulations. The council also promotes ACHE programs, services and activities within their respective areas.

Robertson will take office at the Council of Regents meeting, March 22, 2014, during ACHE’s 57th Congress on Healthcare Leadership meeting at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

“I plan to lead by example to promote the value of leadership as a Regent,” Robertson said. “By doing so, I hope to motivate other ACHE members to volunteer for the organization and assume future leadership roles. I will also continue to mentor aspiring health care leaders and encourage them to pursue opportunities with ACHE.”

Robertson started her nursing career at Banner Health 25 years ago at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix. She as advanced throughout her time at Banner Health to include a variety of staff and management positions. In 2010, Robertson was named chief executive officer of Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa. Two years later she was named chief executive officer of Banner Heart Hospital, located on the same medical campus as Banner Baywood.

Robertson has made an impact in the community by her numerous volunteer acts in community and professional organizations. In July 2013, Robertson was named one of “50 Most Influential Women in Arizona Business” by AZ Business Magazine, the state’s leading business publication.

“Despite a busy career and family, I have built volunteerism into my life because it is important to me,” added Robertson. “My commitment to service is diverse – volunteering for both community and professional organizations.”

Banner Baywood Medical Center is an acute care hospital in Mesa, Ariz. The hospital is a Primary Stroke Center and also offers orthopedics, heart care, emergency care, surgery, cancer care, acute rehabilitation, women’s health and obstetrics. The 50,000-square-foot emergency department offers advanced emergency care and medical imaging technology. For more information, visit www.BannerHealth.com/Baywood.

Banner Heart Hospital is a Truven Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospital, and is ranked among the Phoenix area’s “Best Hospitals” for specialty services in heart care, heart surgery and geriatrics by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital’s emergency heart services, in conjunction with Banner Baywood Medical Center, received Chest Pain Center accreditation in 2011. Services at Banner Heart Hospital include open heart surgery, vascular care, interventional cardiology, heart failure and heart rhythm treatment, women’s heart care and cardiac rehabilitation.