Mike Bromberg, who led the Federation of American Hospitals for 25 years, died Aug. 12 of leukemia at his New York City home. He was 78.

Bromberg headed FAH from 1969 to 1994 and remained vice chairman of the association's board of directors after his retirement. During his tenure as CEO, he earned a reputation as a respected health care lobbyist and was credited with building FAH into the organization it is today. Today the group represents more than 1,000 investor-owned or managed community hospitals and health systems.

"Mike was a trailblazer whose career spanned the most dynamic years of policy development and growth of the American health care system," current FAH CEO Chip Kahn said in a statement. "He contributed mightily to the role of hospitals, as well as the financing and delivery of care for patients, and the shaping of FAH as a major actor in the nation's health care policy development and implementation."

Bromberg came to Washington, D.C., in 1965 as a staffer for former Rep. Herbert Tanzer (D-N.Y.). Four years later he joined the recently formed FAH, where he pushed for the group to become a single voice for the various health care interests.

He is survived by his wife, five daughters and five grandchildren.

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