George C. Halvorson, Chairman and CEO
of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.,
and Kaiser Hospitals
Receives the 2008 Mathies Award at the April Vision & Excellence in Healthcare Leadership Tribute Dinner
Partners in Care Foundation’s Vision & Excellence in Healthcare Leadership Tribute Dinner honored George C. Halvorson, Chairman and CEO of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Kaiser Hospitals, with its distinguished Mathies Award on April 28, 2008 at The Beverly Hills Hotel. Over 450 healthcare, business leaders, family and friends were on hand to recognize this outstanding thought leader.
As an inspiring healthcare leader who has had an important impact on "changing the shape of healthcare" and since assuming leadership of Kaiser in 2002, Mr. Halvorson has led change improving the nation's largest non-profit health plan serving more than 8.7 million members in nine States and the District of Columbia.
With more than 30 years of health care management experience, Mr. Halvorson has led significant organizational progress in improving best practices, patient communications, and information technology. He is a notable advocate on health policy and financing, and has authored widely acclaimed books on reforming the U.S. health care system. [bio/photo]
More photos and video of the Halvorson tribute will be posted soon.
For more information or sponsorship opportunities for our2009 Vision & Excellence in Healthcare Leadership Tribute Dinner contact:
Cheryl Jackson
818.837.3775 ext 144 or email
About the Event and Past Honorees
Held each spring, the Partners in Care Foundation Vision & Excellence in Healthcare Leadership Tribute Dinner honors an individual with the Mathies Award. This Award recognizes and honors an inspired healthcare leader who has had an important impact on "changing the shape of healthcare."
Previous Honorees (2007-2000)
2007 Mathies Award Recipient: Lloyd H. Dean, President and CEO of CHW/Catholic Healthcare West
Over 500 healthcare and business leaders, friends and family gathered at the Beverly Hills Hotel on April 30 to recognize and celebrate the outstanding leadership of Lloyd H. Dean, President and CEO of CHW/Catholic Healthcare West.
Widely known for his strategic vision, colloaborative and communicative style in creating an effective organization since becoming president/CEO of Catholic Healthcare West in 2000, Lloyd H. Dean's transformational leadership strengthened CHW's ministry, increased its community service, and ensured its financial stability. Mr. Dean is responsible for the management and strategic direction of CHW's 41 acute care hospitals and medical centers in California, Arizona and Neveda and for its ancillary services home health care and medical group foundations. [ bio/photo ]
Video:The Honorable Willie Brown, June Simmons and Others Honor
Lloyd H. Dean
On the Occasion of Lloyd H. Dean's Receipt of the Partners in Care Vision & Excellence in Healthcare Leadership Mathies Award: Working Together for Meaningful Health Reform
W. June Simmons, President/CEO of Partners in Care
Changing the Shape of Healthcare for the 21st Century: Meeting the Challenges
Photos and more about this special evening in our June 2007 newsletter.
2006 Mathies Award Recipient: Francine R. Kaufman, M.D. and Champion for Health Award Recipient: Kathleen Brown
For more than 25 years, pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Kaufman has been a leading advocate in the campaign against childhood diabetes as a pre-cursor for Type 2 diabetes, particularly among underserved and minority children. One of America's leading researchers in childhood diabetes and author of hundreds of published works, her book, Diabesity: the Obesity-Diabetes Epidemic That Threatens America-and What We Must Do to Stop It, called national attention to the epidemic of obesity and its relation to the rise in diabetes. [ more ] [ photos ]
Kathleen Brown was presented with the first Champion for Health Award recognizing her consistent dedication and impact in protecting the integrity of the public's finances which affects California's health and well-being. Kathleen Brown's career-long commitment to responsible financing through her civic and business leadership complements her strong and passionately held views about the urgent need to re-shape healthcare, to address issues of access to healthcare and better use of the healthcare/business dollar. [ more ] [ photos ]
2005 Mathies Award Recipient: Thomas M. Priselac
Thomas M. Priselac's model of thoughtful, collaborative leadership as President and CEO of Cedars-Sinai Health System since 1994 has been instrumental in developing compassionate, high-quality patient care combined with outstanding research, education and community benefit programs. Along with many innovations, Cedars-Sinai has received recognition as one of the highest quality hospitals in the nation. [ more ]
2004 Mathies Award Recipient: C. Duane Dauner
As President and CEO of the CHA, C. Duane Dauner leads the nation's largest state healthcare association. The CHA provides statewide representation and advocacy for more than 500 hospitals, health systems and healthcare organizations. Under Mr. Dauner's leadership, the CHA has created and supported major legislation to increase the ability of California's hospitals and healthcare systems to provide care, especially in vulnerable communities. [ more ]
Award Acceptance Speech of C. Duane Dauner
2003 Mathies Award Recipient: Dr. Robert E. Tranquada
Dr. Tranquada’s leadership initiated and shaped many healthcare organizations. While Associate Professor of Medicine at USC, he was tapped to lead the development of the South Central Multipurpose Health Services Center in 1965 that led to the Watts Health Foundation. He served as Medical Director of the LA County/USC Medical Center and was Central Health Services Regional Director, LA County Department of Health Services.
A founding member of Board of Directors of the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Dr. Tranquada served as Associate Dean for Regional and Postgraduate Medical Education at the UCLA School of Medicine. After serving as Chancellor and Dean at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, he returned to Los Angeles as Dean, USC School of Medicine. His leadership continues with service on many local and national healthcare, charitable, higher education and civic boards and as author of numerous medical and policy articles.
Click here to read: "Universal Access is Necessary" by Robert E. Tranquada M.D.
2002 Mathies Award Recipient: James E. Ludlam, J.D.
James E. Ludlam. J.D. is a leader and legend in the field of healthcare law and policy locally and nationally. A pioneer and developer of the specialty of healthcare law, his leadership in legal and policy creation and defense of patients, their families, healthcare institutions and professionals, has had a major impact on shaping development of California's and the nation's healthcare system. [ more ]
Click here to read: "An Opportunity for Leadership in Changing the Shape of Healthcare" by James E. Ludlam J.D.
2001 Mathies Award Recipient: Yoshi Honkawa
Mr. Honkawa served many years as Vice President, Government and Industry Relations, Cedars Sinai Medical Center following a long healthcare administrative career and has chaired numerous high level national and state policy and advisory councils. He has mentored generations of national and local healthcare leaders. [ more ]
2000 Mathis Award Recipient: Allen and Weta Mathies
The Mathies Award was named in honor of this couple's distinguished careers and Dr. Mathies' remarkable leadership of the VNA-LA and as the founding Board Chairman of Partners in Care Foundation.
Dr. Mathies is President Emeritus, Huntington Memorial Hospital; Dean Emeritus, Keck School of Medicine, USC; Chair, Board of Directors of Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of LA and co-founder VNA Foundation (now Partners in Care Foundation). Weta Mathies is a community leader in numerous Los Angeles area cultural, social service and healthcare support organizations. [ more ]
