Dr. Sanne Magnan Named President and CEO of ICSI

BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Jan. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sanne Magnan, M.D., Ph.D, who recently ended her tenure as Minnesota Commissioner of Health, has been named by the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI, www.icsi.org) as President and Chief Executive Officer.

Dr. Magnan served as ICSI President in 2006-2007 before being appointed Commissioner of Health by then Governor Tim Pawlenty.  As Commissioner, she was responsible for implementation of significant components of Minnesota's 2008 health reform legislation.

"I am excited to be moving forward with ICSI's unique collaboration and its trusted ability to work with all stakeholders," Dr. Magnan said. "Together, we must accelerate our ability to simultaneously improve the overall health of the population, people's experience of health care, and the affordability of care by decreasing per capita costs."

"Under Dr. Magnan's previous leadership, ICSI led statewide work to positively transform health care," said Dr. Brian Rank, Medical Director, HealthPartners Medical Group, and Chair of the ICSI Board of Directors. "From this foundation, and coupled with her experience as Minnesota Commissioner of Health, Dr. Magnan will help accelerate ICSI's ability to improve health and the value of health care for Minnesota and the nation."

ICSI expanded its mission under Dr. Magnan's first presidency to tackle complex health care system issues that could only be solved through collaboration among provider groups, health plans, employers, policy makers and patients.  Examples of this collaborative work include the DIAMOND (Depression Improvement Across Minnesota, Offering a New Direction) program, and ICSI's recently announced statewide initiative to ensure appropriate use of high-technology diagnostic imaging scans.  Both these efforts are unique in the country, and have significantly improved patient care and saved Minnesota millions of dollars. ICSI is also known locally and nationally for creating evidence-based health care guidelines that help providers prevent, diagnose, treat and manage diseases, and for helping its 60 medical group and hospital members to deliver more patient-centered and value-driven health care.  

Under Dr. Magnan's leadership at the Minnesota Department of Health, a number of components of legislation were developed and/or implemented, including the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP), a quality reporting and incentive system, provider peer grouping, baskets of care and health care home certification. In addition, Dr. Magnan explored more consumer engagement in health care, and furthered e-health usage.

Dr. Magnan previously served as Vice President and Medical Director for Consumer Health at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine with the Department of Medicine at the University of Minnesota. In addition, she is a staff physician at the Tuberculosis Clinic at St. Paul - Ramsey County Public Health. She has been named as one of Minnesota Physician magazine's 100 Influential Health Care Leaders in 2004 and 2008.

The Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (www.icsi.org) is a non-profit health care quality improvement organization that brings diverse stakeholders together to find solutions to complex health care problems. Sponsored by five health plans in Minnesota and Wisconsin, ICSI helps its 60 medical group and hospital members who represent 9,000 physicians deliver higher quality and lower cost health care.

SOURCE Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement