Health Leads Appoints Ken Himmelman to Lead Organizational Learning and Philanthropic Strategy

"Through the support of an impressive roster of organizations and individuals committed to healthcare system change and social justice, Health Leads has helped drive the sector toward a pivotal turning point," said Himmelman. "Addressing patients' unmet social needs – the underlying and critical factors impacting health – is now on the cusp of widespread acceptance. We have the opportunity to improve health outcomes, reduce costs and rationalize health systems across the country. Especially given the political uncertainties right now, this is an incredibly important moment for the future of health care in the U.S. I'm honored by this opportunity to further promote the adoption of Health Leads' vision into the sector at this unprecedented time in healthcare's history."

Himmelman joins the Health Leads leadership team after almost five years at Partners in Health (PIH), where he served as chief program officer and, for one year, as interim chief development officer. In that latter capacity, he led a team charged with raising an annual global budget of over $140 million through individual giving, as well as institutional partners in the foundation, corporate and public sectors. As chief program officer, he was responsible for building and strengthening systems to support PIH's 10 global sites, with a collective budget of over $100 million. He also led the development of a five-year strategic plan for PIH and its affiliate organizations at Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Women's Hospital, and oversaw PIH Engage, a program of college and community-based chapters designed to promote community organizing and fundraising to support PIH programs.

"Ken's deep understanding of patient care from a global perspective, where the link between poverty and health is fundamentally understood, will offer valuable insights as we continue to overcome similar challenges facing the U.S. healthcare system," said Rebecca Onie, Health Leads' CEO and co-founder. "While many healthcare leaders today are committed to true patient-centered care – to not looking away from issues like hunger, housing and inequity – the sector sits at a crossroads, unsure of where to commit both its values and dollars. Ken's experience, leadership and collaboration with our philanthropic and other partners will be critical to our strategy to mobilize the sector over the next several years and ensure that when key decision points arise, the right answers are inevitable."

Himmelman joins the leadership team at Health Leads and will be based in the organization's Boston headquarters.

About Health Leads
Health Leads is a social enterprise that envisions a healthcare system that addresses all patients' basic resource needs as a standard part of quality care. For 20 years, Health Leads has worked with leading healthcare organizations to create sustainable, high-impact and cost-effective social needs interventions that connect patients to the community-based resources they need to be healthy—from food to transportation to healthcare benefits. Health Leads is committed to sharing its tools and expertise to improve the health and well-being of patients, and to accelerating the leadership, best practices, incentives and research required to change what "counts" as healthcare. Learn more at www.healthleadsusa.org, reach us at [email protected] and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Health Leads

Related Links

http://www.healthleadsusa.org