Since becoming Alegent Health President in 1996, Richard Hachten has contributed significantly to leading the region’s largest integrated healthcare system down an ambitious track aimed for world-class leadership, quality and innovation. Alegent Health is a not-for-profit, faith-based healthcare system with over 1,200 physicians and nearly 8,500 employees. Alegent Health is comprised of five metropolitan medical centers, four regional hospitals and a clinic with 42 locations and 125 physicians in Nebraska and Iowa. Alegent also has multiple collaborative affiliations with other healthcare providers in the region.

Hachten served as president of Bergan Mercy Medical Center from 1991 to 1995. In 1995, he was appointed president of Bergan Mercy Health System with responsibilities for both Bergan and Mercy Hospitals. With the consolidation of Bergan Mercy Health System with Immanuel Medical Center in January 1996, he became president of Alegent Health. Under Hachten’s direction, Alegent Health employees have made significant advancements in living the Mission and pursuing the vision of Alegent Health as demonstrated by growth in volumes of services, profitability, patient and employee satisfaction, and quality outcomes.

Hachten served as chief executive officer at Tri-City Medical Center, Oceanside, California, for six years before coming to Omaha. Before that, he joined Methodist Hospital of Southern California in Arcadia, California, as an administrative assistant in 1972 and was promoted to assistant administrator in 1973. In 1976, Hachten became associate administrator, and in 1978 he served as vice president for administration before becoming chief executive officer from 1980 to 1984.

Hachten received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1967. He completed his Master of Business Administration in 1969 at UCLA. He has actively participated in many healthcare organizations throughout the years, including the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Hospital Association, Nebraska Hospital Association, Hospice, Mercy Housing Midwest and other healthcare industry associations. He recently served as an American Hospital Association Delegate for Regional Policy Board 6, is the past chairman of the Board of Directors for the Nebraska Hospital Association and serves on the Board of the Hospice House, and the Board of Governing Members of the Omaha Symphony.