EHMA announces transition in its Presidency
15 October 2026
The European Health Management Association (EHMA) announces the appointment of Professor Federica Morandi as its new President, following the decision of Dr Antoni Peris-Grao to step down from the position.
Dr Peris-Grao’s decision follows clarification of the requirements associated with his professional responsibilities in CASAP – Consorci Castelldefels Agents de Salut, which prevent him from holding leadership positions in other organisations, including voluntary roles in non-profit associations.
Although stepping down from the Presidency, Dr Peris-Grao will remain a member of the EHMA Board, continuing to contribute his expertise and commitment to the Association.
“It has been a privilege to serve as President of EHMA. While I am disappointed that I cannot continue in this role, I remain fully committed to the Association and its mission. I have every confidence in Federica’s leadership and look forward to continuing to support EHMA as a Board member,” said Dr Peris-Grao.
Professor Federica Morandi, who has served as EHMA Vice-President, will assume the Presidency for the remainder of the current mandate, following confirmation by the EHMA Board.
“I am honoured to take on the Presidency of EHMA and grateful for the trust placed in me by my fellow Board members. I look forward to working closely with the Board, Secretariat and our members to strengthen EHMA’s role in advancing health management across Europe,” said Professor Morandi.
The transition ensures continuity in EHMA’s governance and its ongoing commitment to bringing together health managers, researchers, educators, and policymakers to improve health systems across Europe.
Recent News
Editorial by Dr Odessa Petit dit DARIEL | EHMA Newsletter
EHMA calls for digital medication management to become a strategic investment priority in the next EU budget
Preventing hospitalisation in Europe: what needs to change?
What our Members say
I have been active in EHMA since the first years of the '90s and I have seen its evolution from a small association of members interested in sharing knowledge on health management practices to the current status of reference and advisory key player for EU, health systems and organisations, stakeholders associations, industry and universities. EHMA is now a unique knowledge hub, policy advisor, community of practice and network of best in class organisations involved in health policy and management. A place where health managers can build their competences, policy-makers and stakeholder associations envision how to implement and sustain change through health management, industry leaders understand how to engage more effectively with health organisations and systems. The right place to nurture and grow health management capabilities and capacity for every stakeholder of health systems.
Prof Federico Lega, University of Milan, Italy
Health management has a crucial function in shaping public health and health system challenges. The Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria had success in collaborating with EHMA on EU-funded projects that has resourced us to create new health management competencies for the future workforce. In addition to all classical definitions, health management is a science dealing with individuals, groups, and society at large. It is an art contributing to the beauty of our lives and an interactive communication process at all levels of institutions and human energy. I have also had the pleasure to chair the South Eastern European Special Interest Group which gives members a space to discuss and tools to address how health systems are managed in our regions.
Prof Todorka Kostadinova, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria
I enjoy the high level of interaction and engagement in EHMA’s activities, in particular during the annual conference where the panel discussions are rich and well prepared. As a hospital manager and professor of health management, EHMA motivates and inspires me to be creative. You go back home feeling energised from seeing old friends and making new connections, as well as being convinced of serving as EHMA’s ambassador. It’s a strong feeling of interdisciplinary engagement, but it also feels like being part of family-like community.
Prof Sandra C. Buttigieg, MD, University of Malta, Malta
Health workforce has become more essential in operating, managing and maintaining health systems lately, particularly in crisis and emergency situations. European healthcare professions and the workforce need to be high on the agenda of managers and decision makers. The Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University in Hungary is a longstanding EHMA member, because it connects us with collaborators and experts, with whom we can have complex debates, from whom we can learn and at the end find solutions in various challenging fields of healthcare management.
Dr Eszter Kovács, Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Hungary
As a hospital administrator and health management professor, I see on a daily basis that the healthcare challenges require talented and skilled managers to transform it. the EHMA membership has been beneficial to bring healthcare management research and education to the demanding healthcare services world, promoting healthcare management competencies and knowledge creation.
Dr Alexandre Lourenco, APAH - Association of Portuguese Hospital Managers, Portugal
Many healthcare systems in Europe and beyond are facing similar challenges which require innovative and creative solutions. EHMA’s annual conference, webinars, Programme Directors’ group and other activities and resources provide incredible opportunities for networking, connecting and sharing experiences. A distinct feature of EHMA is the diversity of members with representation from many countries, sectors and different communities of practice – academic, policy-makers, practitioners, managers, leaders and students. The annual conference is a highlight in the calendar year, offering a friendly, fun and learningful environment for emerging and established members to engage, collaborate and meet up with old and new friends. I am proud to be a member of the EHMA Board.
Prof Ann Mahon, University of Manchester, UK
Society evolution, pandemics and ageing modify health needs. So, health policies and services are to change dramatically. EHMA, through webinars, workshops and annual conference provides an excellent insight to a professional changing world, favouring closeness to management innovation and the protagonists of these changes. As a primary care services’ manager, participating in EHMA activities is really worth it and allows to involve oneself in the innovation processes.
Antoni Peris-Grao, MD, Consorci Castelldefels Agents de Salut (CASAP), Spain
