Kaiser Permanente Executive Vice President Benjamin K. Chu, MD, Elected to National Academy of Medicine
Membership recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding professional achievements and commitment to service
Membership recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding professional achievements and commitment to service
OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Benjamin K. Chu, MD, MPH, MACP, executive vice president, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals, Inc. and group president of Kaiser Permanente's Southern California and Georgia regions, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine, widely considered to be one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine. The announcement of his membership was made this week at the National Academy of Medicine's annual meeting in Washington D.C.
Membership in the National Academy of Medicine recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievements and commitment to service. Members are elected to the Academy by their peers for distinguished contributions to medicine and health.
"I am honored to be elected to the National Academy of Medicine," said Dr. Chu. "This is a highly respected organization of health and medical professionals with a national and global mission. With my experience in public health and at Kaiser Permanente, I hope to contribute to the Academy's extensive efforts to improve the health of communities across the country and around the world."
Dr. Chu joined Kaiser Permanente as regional president of Southern California in February 2005, was named executive vice president, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals in 2013, and became group president for Kaiser Permanente's Georgia Region, in addition to Southern California, in 2014. As part of his current role, he directs health plan and hospital operations for 14 hospitals and 237 medical offices that serve more than 4 million members in both locations. Prior to his role at Kaiser Permanente, he was president of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, the largest public hospital system in the United States.
The National Academy of Medicine, formerly the Institute of Medicine, was established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to advise the nation on medical and health issues. The organization works with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and to conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public-policy decisions. The Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering and medicine.
Kaiser Permanente has a longstanding relationship with the Academy and partners with the organization on various initiatives and events, including the HBO documentary "The Weight of the Nation." In 2012, Tracy Lieu, MD, MPH, director of the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, was elected to the Academy for her work on vaccine policy and research.
For more information about the National Academy of Medicine, including details about the election criteria and process, visit: www.nam.edu.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 10 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: kp.org/share.
Contact:
Vincent Staupe
510-267-7364
[email protected]
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SOURCE Kaiser Permanente
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