Kaiser Permanente's Benjamin K. Chu, MD, Named Chair-Elect of American Hospital Association

SAN DIEGO, July 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Benjamin K. Chu, MD, MPH, MACP, group president for Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, has been chosen as the American Hospital Association's chair-elect designate.  He will become the top elected official of the national organization representing America's hospitals and health systems in 2013.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110717/AQ36338)

“We are delighted to see Dr. Chu recognized by his colleagues for this national leadership position,” said Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Health Plan President and Chief Operating Officer Bernard J. Tyson.  “Ben has a strong record of bringing diverse teams together to deliver exceptional health care, and he oversees the care of 3.6 million of our nearly nine million Kaiser Permanente members.  The American Hospital Association will benefit from his leadership,” Tyson added

"It is my privilege to serve in this role as hospitals from across the country discuss how we can best care for our patients in this changing health care landscape," said Dr. Chu.  "Health care is at a crossroads and hospitals will play an important role in improving the health of all Americans."

Dr. Chu currently oversees 14 hospitals and 168 medical offices. He was appointed regional president of Kaiser Permanente Southern California in 2005.  In 2011, he was appointed group president with additional accountability for Kaiser Permanente's Hawaii region.  Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Chu served as president of New York City's Health and Hospitals Corporation, the largest public hospital system in the country. He was senior vice president for medical and professional affairs for the public hospitals and acting commissioner of health for the New York City Department of Health.

Specializing in internal medicine, Dr. Chu was senior associate dean at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and associate dean and vice president for clinical affairs at the New York University School of Medicine and Medical Center.  From 1989 to 1990, he was a legislative assistant for health for New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley, holding a Robert Wood Johnson policy fellowship.

Dr. Chu also serves on the board of the Commonwealth Fund in New York and is chair of the American Legacy Foundation.  He has previously served on the American Hospital Association Board and was a member of its executive committee in 2008.  Currently he is an AHA representative to The Joint Commission.

Dr. Chu earned his medical degree from New York University and holds a master's of public health from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree from Yale University.

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 to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.8 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.

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SOURCE Kaiser Permanente