New Jersey is poised to implement a new law requiring that all board members complete at least a one-day “trustee training program” approved by the commissioner of the state department of health. The training program will be designed to clarify the roles and responsibilities of a hospital director/trustee. A few other states either have or are considering programs for mandatory training and/or voluntary certification for trustees (Texas, Minnesota, Tennessee, Georgia, and West Virginia, to list a few). Discussion points for the breakfast roundtable included:

• Mandatory board member education or “certification” (possibly a more rigorous set of requirements including passing a test of some sort)
• Reaction of directors/trustees to mandates/requirements for achieving a certain level of knowledge in order to serve on a hospital/health system board
• Impact on board recruitment
• Effectiveness of these programs
• Program content—focused or general?