National Health Council Selects New CEO

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Jan 22, 2015, 12:59 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Health Council (NHC) Board of Directors has announced the selection of Marc Boutin as the next NHC chief executive officer, effective March 1. Boutin currently serves as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the NHC. He will be replacing current CEO Myrl Weinberg, who announced in June 2014 her decision to depart the NHC.

The NHC conducted a nationwide search for the new CEO, explained Randy Beranek, chair of the NHC Board of Directors and president and CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation in Portland, Oregon. "In the end, Marc presented the strongest vision for the future of the patient advocacy community. He has helped build the Council into the preeminent champion for people with chronic diseases and disabilities. I believe he will continue to move the NHC to a new level of success."

"When I announced my decision last June to leave the Council," said Weinberg, "I expressed my confidence that the NHC will continue on its current, upward trajectory. Under Marc's leadership, the patient voice is destined to become stronger, bolder, and even more effective as the NHC grapples with complex issues that affect the lives of people with chronic conditions."

In addition to overseeing the NHC's financial management and operations, Boutin is responsible in his current position for building consensus among member patient advocacy organizations, enabling them to speak with one voice on systemic health research and health care policy initiatives. This united effort has resulted in legislation and regulations that address the collective needs of patients and their family caregivers. Boutin also provides guidance to patient organizations on various association issues, including corporate structure, government relations, fundraising, and outreach. He is a regular spokesperson before the media, Congress, and policy makers on major issues of interest to the patient community.

Boutin is a member the International Alliance of Patients' Organizations Governing Board and serves as treasurer. He is a member of the Community Health Charities Board of Directors, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Advisory Panel on Patient Engagement, and the North America Advisory Board to the Drug Information Association. He has served on Institute of Medicine committees, National Institute of Health panels, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's stakeholder group.

Founded in 1920, the National Health Council (NHC) is the only organization that brings together all segments of the health community to provide a united and effective voice for the more than 133 million people living with chronic diseases and disabilities and their family caregivers. Made up of more than 100 national health-related organizations and businesses, its core membership includes the nation's leading patient advocacy organizations, which control its governance. Other members include professional and membership associations, nonprofit organizations with an interest in health, and major pharmaceutical, health insurance, medical device, and biotechnology companies.

SOURCE National Health Council