Richard A. Norling, President and CEO of Premier, Inc. Named 2009 Mathies Award Honoree
UPDATED MAY 13, 2009
In recognition of his outstanding leadership in changing the shape of healthcare, Richard A. (Rick) Norling, president and CEO of Premier, Inc., has been named the recipient of Partners in Care Foundation’s 2009 Mathies Award.
Mr. Norling was honored at Partners’ Vision & Excellence in Healthcare Leadership Tribute Dinner on May 4, 2009, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in
Beverly Hills, California.
“Partners’ Mathies Award for Vision & Excellence in Healthcare Leadership calls attention to those healthcare, community, and private sector leaders who step forward and make positive, far-reaching changes in improving health care delivery services as individuals who do make the difference,” notes Seth Ellis, Chair of Partners’ Board of Directors. “As an individual and as a healthcare professional, Rick Norling’s career, vision, and effectiveness exemplify the true meaning and spirit of this honor.”
During Mr. Norling’s 40 year executive career in healthcare, he has become widely known for his forward-thinking leadership in healthcare strategies, organizational development, and quality management. Under his leadership, the Premier healthcare alliance won the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the North Carolina Award for Excellence in 2006 with Forbes citing the company as one of the most ethical companies in the U.S.
Mr. Norling, who joined Premier in 1997 as chief operating officer, was named president and CEO in 1999. Under his leadership, Premier became one of the nation’s largest strategic healthcare alliances, jointly owned as a shared resource by more than 200 not-for-profit hospitals and health systems, serving 2,000 not-for-profit hospitals and more than 54,000 other care sites. His belief in “doing the right thing, the right way” has guided Premier’s team to help members identify, test and measure quality and safety improvements to reduce mortality and cost of care in diverse communities.
“In leading Premier, Rick Norling’s vision and accomplishments are closely aligned with Partners’ mission in seeking ways to lower the cost of healthcare while advancing the quality of and patient satisfaction with healthcare for those we serve,” explains W. June Simmons, president and CEO of Partners. “His leadership highlights the importance of bringing about change so it works better for all. It is his understanding, support, and record of accomplishment of transformational change that deserves high recognition.”
Celebrating its 10th anniversary year, Partners in Care (www.picf.org) is a health and social services non-profit nationally recognized for its innovative evidence-based research and programs focused on developing and implementing efficient and effective new models of care while retaining quality of care in access, aging well, disease education and prevention, end-of-life care, families at-risk, and in education and advocacy. Based in San Fernando, California, Partners collaborates with its extensive network of community-based and healthcare organizations, funders, and supporters to change the shape of healthcare through high-impact, cost-effective solutions to healthcare’s pressing issues.
Initiated and named in honor of Partners’ first award winners, Founding Chair of Board Dr. Allen Mathies and Weta Mathies, the Mathies Award is given each year in recognition of an innovative and creative leader in the professional healthcare community whose dedication and accomplishments are making a significant impact on improving healthcare.
Previous Partners’ Mathies Award honorees are: George C. Halvorson, Chairman and CEO Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals; Lloyd Dean, Chairman and CEO of Catholic Healthcare West; Dr. Francine Kaufman; Thomas M. Priselac, President and CEO, Cedars-Sinai Health System; C. Duane Dauner, President and CEO of the California Healthcare Association, Robert E. Tranquada, M.D.; James E. Ludlam, J.D.; Yoshi Honkawa; and Dr. Allen & Weta Mathies.
For additional information, sponsorship and tribute opportunities, contact: Eva Goetz, VP, Advancement, at (818) 837-3775, ext.131; email egoetz@picf.org or visit: www.picf.org.
About Partners in Care (www.picf.org)
Celebrating 10 years of collaboration, innovation, and impact in changing the shape of healthcare. Partners in Care brings positive change to healthcare and social services which improve the quality of life for individuals and diverse communities while reducing the cost of care. In collaboration with its extensive network of healthcare and community-based organizations and supporters, Partners creates, tests, and implements innovative, high-impact new models-of-care. A not for profit organization based in San Fernando, California, Partners’ evidence-based innovations have been widely disseminated and adopted nationally.
For more information, visit www.picf.org or contact: Maureen A. Finan, Director, Strategic Communications, 818-837-3775 ext. 125; mfinan@picf.org or Eva Goetz, VP Advancement, 818-837-3775 ext 131; egoetz@picf.org
