Commonwealth Fund President Karen Davis to Step Down at End of 2012
<p>Karen Davis, who since 1995 has led The Commonwealth Fund in its drive to improve the performance of the nation's health care system, <a href="/press-release/2011/commonwealth-fund-president-karen-davis-step-down-end-2012">plans to step down</a> as the Fund's president on December 31, 2012. </p>
<p>"Karen Davis is one of the outstanding thinkers and leaders on health care reform," said James R. Tallon, Jr., chair of the Commonwealth Fund Board of Directors. "A distinguished health policy researcher, university department chair, and federal health agency executive, she positioned The Commonwealth Fund to make a major contribution to the recent health care reform debate and to the implementation of those reforms. The foundation is extremely fortunate to have had Karen at its helm at a time of great opportunity for improving the performance of our health system." </p>
<p>Tallon said that under Davis's leadership, The Commonwealth Fund has had a significant impact in many areas: contributing independent analysis to inform development of the Affordable Care Act; developing, assessing, and spreading health delivery system innovations, such as the patient-centered medical home, resident-centered nursing home care, and patient safety; creating comparative databases to improve performance; preparing the next generation of minority physician leaders committed to ensuring access to care for vulnerable populations and eliminating care disparities; and promoting the exchange of international innovations and experience through the Fund's Harkness Fellowship in Health Policy and International Health Policy and Innovation program. </p>
<p>"It has been a great source of professional fulfillment to lead The Commonwealth Fund over this historic period in American health care," said Davis. "In every organization, however, there comes a time for new leadership with new ideas. I look forward to a final year at the Fund focused on helping advance health reform implementation and bringing to scale and spreading delivery and payment system innovations. In addition to assisting with the leadership transition at the Fund, I will be pursuing opportunities for contributing toward the work that is so important to ensuring that every American receives the best possible care and the opportunity to lead healthy, productive lives." </p>
<p>The search for Davis's successor as president of the Fund will be conducted by the foundation's Board, with Director Samuel C. Fleming chairing the search committee. Any inquiries about the search should be directed to <a href="mailto:[email protected]">Ms. Marilyn Machlowitz</a> at Machlowitz Consultants, Inc., which will assist in the search.</p>