Kaiser Permanente Medical Director Joins NASBHC Board

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Oct 01, 2012, 01:35 ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Assembly on School-Based Health Care today announced the appointment of Winston Wong, MD, MS, to the NASBHC board of directors. Dr. Wong, who currently serves as medical director for Community Benefit at Kaiser Permanente, will serve a two-year board term beginning Oct. 1, 2012.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Wong to our board," said NASBHC President Linda Juszczak. "Dr. Wong brings to NASBHC vast expertise in eliminating barriers to health care, specifically in underserved communities, which is at the very heart of NASBHC's mission. Dr. Wong will be a valued asset in our work to ensure that children and adolescents across the nation are healthy and learning to their fullest potential."

In 1993, Dr. Wong was commissioned as an officer for the U.S. Public Health Service, achieving the rank of captain. For a decade (from 1993 to 2003) he led the development of federally qualified health centers in a four-state territory, as well as overall program management of California programs supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Dr. Wong was also appointed as the health liaison for HRSA in the Pacific Basin.

"The addition of Dr. Winston Wong to the NASBHC board will add to the outstanding talents and wide-ranging experience among their board of directors," said Raymond J. Baxter, PhD, senior vice president, Community Benefit, Research and Healthy Policy, Kaiser Permanente. "Dr. Wong is a widely respected and deeply experienced leader, and he will be able to provide NASBHC with new insight and perspectives."

Dr. Wong's appointment to the NASBHC board of directors reinforces Kaiser Permanente's commitment to total health, which includes preventing and treating childhood obesity through community-based programs, such as schools. Kaiser Permanente recently announced results from a study that found programs promoting healthy eating can substantially reduce the amount of unhealthy foods and beverages on school grounds if the programs focus on a school's specific needs and involve teachers, parents, staff and administrators. This research is reinforced by a recent report on obesity prevention issued by the Institute of Medicine that describes schools as "the heart of health" and identifies school-based interventions as among the most promising to prevent childhood obesity.

Prior to his government service, Dr. Wong utilized his medical background for more than 10 years as a clinician and medical director for a federally supported community center in Oakland, Calif. Dr. Wong's accomplishments have been recognized by the National Minority Health Forum, Western Clinicians Network, Asian Health Services and the American Journal of Public Health.

To learn more about NASBHC, or to schedule an interview with Linda Juszczak, contact Joanna Kuebler at 202-638-5872 x. 215 or email [email protected].

To learn more about Kaiser Permanente, or to schedule an interview with Dr. Winston Wong, contact Laura Dunn at 510-267-2818 or email [email protected].

About NASBHC

The National Assembly on School-Based Health Care (NASBHC) is the national voice for school-based health centers (SBHCs). Founded in 1995 to promote and support the SBHC model, NASBHC's mission is to improve the health status of children and youth by advancing and advocating for school-based health care. Learn more at www.nasbhc.org.

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 9 million members in nine 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: www.kp.org/newscenter.

NASBHC Contact: Joanna Kuebler, 202-638-5872 Ext. 215
Kaiser Permanente Contact: Laura Dunn, 510-267-2818

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente