First Health Advisory chosen by American Hospital Association to boost hospital resilience against ransomware attacks

First Health Advisory, a healthcare cybersecurity and risk management firm, has secured a significant industry endorsement after being named a Preferred Cybersecurity & Risk Services Provider by the American Hospital Association (AHA). The AHA, representing nearly 5,000 hospitals and health systems across the United States, selected the company to support its Cybersecurity Oversight & Resilience Engagement (CORE) Program. This recognition positions First Health Advisory as a trusted partner for hospitals navigating escalating cyber risks, ransomware attacks, and compliance challenges in the healthcare ecosystem.

Why is the American Hospital Association’s endorsement of First Health Advisory considered a pivotal moment for healthcare cybersecurity?

The AHA’s selection of First Health Advisory is more than just a vendor recognition—it reflects the growing urgency across the healthcare sector to address the financial, operational, and reputational impact of cyberattacks. Healthcare remains one of the most heavily targeted industries by cybercriminals, with ransomware alone estimated to cost the global sector billions of dollars annually. U.S. hospitals have repeatedly been disrupted by cyber incidents that delay care, compromise patient records, and strain already overburdened systems.

By choosing First Health Advisory, the AHA is signaling to its member hospitals that the company has demonstrated measurable success in turning cybersecurity strategy into operational resilience. The endorsement also aligns with industry trends: over the past five years, healthcare providers have increasingly shifted from fragmented IT security measures to integrated, enterprise-wide cyber risk management programs.

How does First Health Advisory’s CORE program strengthen hospital defenses against ransomware and evolving cyber threats?

At the center of this partnership is First Health Advisory’s flagship CORE program. Developed in collaboration with health systems, CORE provides oversight and resilience capabilities that go beyond conventional firewalls and endpoint protections. It layers governance, real-time monitoring, incident response planning, and regulatory compliance into one strategic framework.

The program’s design emphasizes proactive risk identification and vulnerability management rather than reactive crisis control. Hospitals participating in CORE can expect improved alignment with HIPAA, HITECH, and evolving federal cybersecurity guidance, while simultaneously building resilience against ransomware, phishing, and advanced persistent threats. In practical terms, this means fewer care disruptions, more secure patient records, and higher trust from regulators, payers, and patients.

Industry analysts have noted that First Health Advisory’s approach resembles the cybersecurity maturity models seen in the financial services sector, where layered governance has been critical in reducing systemic risk. For healthcare, which has historically lagged behind in digital security investment compared to financial institutions, this represents a significant leap forward.

What role does leadership at First Health Advisory play in positioning the company as a preferred partner for hospitals?

Leadership emphasis has been crucial in cementing First Health Advisory’s credibility. CEO Carter Groome has consistently highlighted the need for cybersecurity partners that go beyond pointing out vulnerabilities to delivering measurable reductions in risk. His statement that “First Health is built for action” underscores the company’s positioning as an extension of hospital teams rather than a detached consultancy.

Kerri Gallagher, president and COO, reinforced this message by framing the AHA recognition as validation of the company’s mission to enable resilience and ensure safe patient care. Together, the leadership team has articulated a philosophy rooted in partnership—aligning cybersecurity strategies with the day-to-day operational realities of hospitals.

This approach resonates strongly with healthcare executives who face mounting pressures from both cybercriminals and regulators. Many hospital CIOs and CISOs have expressed frustration with service providers that deliver reports without follow-through. First Health’s emphasis on execution differentiates it in a crowded marketplace.

How does this partnership reflect broader trends in healthcare cybersecurity investment and governance?

The endorsement by the AHA comes at a time when cybersecurity budgets across healthcare are expanding rapidly. According to industry data, U.S. hospitals and health systems have increased cybersecurity spending by an average of 20% annually since 2020, driven by regulatory scrutiny and the costly impact of ransomware.

Moreover, insurers are tightening requirements for cyber liability coverage, making it nearly impossible for hospitals to obtain affordable policies without demonstrating mature risk management practices. First Health Advisory’s CORE program is positioned to directly address this need, enabling hospitals to qualify for coverage while reducing the likelihood of catastrophic breaches.

Regulatory bodies are also raising the stakes. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has introduced updated cybersecurity performance goals, emphasizing continuous monitoring, multi-factor authentication, and zero-trust architecture. By aligning with these frameworks, First Health Advisory gives hospitals a competitive edge in compliance while simultaneously strengthening resilience.

What are the implications for investor and institutional sentiment in the healthcare technology and cybersecurity sectors?

While First Health Advisory is privately held, the ripple effect of this partnership will likely influence broader sentiment in healthcare technology and cybersecurity markets. Publicly traded companies in adjacent areas—such as CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWD), Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: PANW), and Tenable Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: TENB)—have already benefited from rising institutional flows into cybersecurity equities amid heightened awareness of ransomware risks.

Institutional investors often view AHA-endorsed programs as benchmarks for industry adoption. The alignment of nearly 5,000 member hospitals behind a cybersecurity partner raises expectations for higher procurement activity across the sector. This could indirectly benefit publicly traded cybersecurity firms providing endpoint protection, network monitoring, and compliance solutions to hospitals adopting holistic strategies.

Investor sentiment has remained broadly positive for the cybersecurity sector in 2025, with exchange-traded funds like the First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) seeing consistent inflows. Analysts expect healthcare to be one of the fastest-growing verticals for cybersecurity revenue, as hospitals accelerate adoption of governance-driven platforms.

How might the partnership influence the operational resilience of hospitals and the patient experience going forward?

The operational implications of this partnership extend well beyond IT departments. By reducing the likelihood and impact of cyber disruptions, hospitals can protect the continuity of clinical services. Patients benefit from fewer delays in care delivery, stronger privacy protections, and higher confidence in the digital systems that increasingly underpin healthcare delivery.

This resilience has financial dimensions as well. Hospitals avoiding major cyber disruptions save millions in potential recovery costs, regulatory fines, and reputational damage. Those savings can be redirected into clinical innovation, staffing, and patient care enhancements—further reinforcing the value of cybersecurity as a strategic investment rather than a cost center.

The patient experience, once seen as disconnected from cybersecurity, is now directly tied to it. For instance, delayed treatments caused by ransomware can negatively affect patient outcomes, while robust cyber resilience ensures clinicians can focus fully on care. In this context, the AHA’s recognition of First Health Advisory aligns cybersecurity directly with healthcare’s most essential mission: safe, uninterrupted patient care.

How does this development fit into the long-term evolution of healthcare cybersecurity partnerships?

The trajectory of healthcare cybersecurity is moving toward consolidation of trusted partnerships that integrate strategy, execution, and governance. Historically, hospitals relied on multiple vendors delivering siloed solutions—endpoint protection from one provider, compliance audits from another, and staff training from a third. This fragmented approach created gaps that cybercriminals exploited.

First Health Advisory’s recognition by the AHA illustrates a shift toward integrated, end-to-end solutions that embed directly within hospital operations. Industry experts suggest this could set a precedent for future preferred provider designations, potentially reshaping procurement strategies across healthcare.

Looking ahead, analysts expect similar partnerships to emerge between hospitals and technology providers specializing in zero-trust architecture, AI-driven anomaly detection, and medical device cybersecurity. First Health Advisory’s CORE framework positions it as an early mover in this consolidation wave, making it likely to influence how hospitals structure cybersecurity investments for years to come.