Washington, D.C., April 16, 2008 –
Modern Healthcare magazine has named Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of the American Public Health Association (APHA), as one of the top 25 minority executives in health care for 2008.
In its second year of publication, the biennial listing of the “Top 25 Minority Executives in Healthcare,” aims to demonstrate the progress that has been made in improving the diversity of leadership in the health care field. The recognition program highlights the “best and the brightest” of the growing cohort of persons of color in the health care leadership ranks.
“It is an honor to have Dr. Benjamin recognized as one of the top executives in health care,” said Linda Degutis, DrPH, MSN, president of APHA. “He has provided an important and unique voice at a time when protecting our nation’s health and improving access to health care have played an increasingly important role on the national stage. He’s also helped strengthen APHA as a leading advocate for and broker of sound solutions to our many health system challenges.”
Dr. Benjamin has been the executive director of APHA since December 2002. He came to the post from his position as secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where he played a key role in developing the state’s bioterrorism plan and implementing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
The “Top 25 Minority Executives in Healthcare” list is compiled through Modern Healthcare reader nominations and the decisions of a review board. The editorial review board, consisting of senior editors at the magazine, reviewed the nominations and judged the candidates on five criteria. The criteria were whether the nominee successfully served as a leader or managed an organization or company; showed the ability or power to effect change in the health care industry; demonstrated a willingness to share expertise with others in the field; served as a role model or mentor to other minority health care executives; and assumed a leadership position in the industry outside of the candidate’s own organization or company.
The list of executives was published in the April 7, 2008, issue of Modern Healthcare and can be found at http://www.modernhealthcare.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=top25execslideshow.