Contact: Kevin Hall
Phone: (804) 225-4260
Cell Phone: (804) 393-9406
Internet: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/
GOVERNOR KAINE APPOINTS MEMBERS TO HEALTH REFORM COMMISSION
RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced appointments to the Commission on Health Reform. The Commission will convene leading voices from all facets of both the public and private sectors to recommend effective ways to reform and strengthen healthcare in Virginia.
"Ensuring access to quality healthcare that is safe and affordable is one of the most fundamental commitments we have to our citizens," Governor Kaine said. "With more than one million Virginians lacking healthcare coverage, and growing shortages of health professionals in all disciplines across the Commonwealth and the nation, we must look for creative ways to further improve the delivery of healthcare to Virginians."
The Commission is tasked with identifying and implementing national best practices at the state level with emphasis on access, quality, and safety of care, as well as addressing long-term care and affordability. It will work closely with the General Assembly's Joint Commission on Health Care and the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, and foster cooperation between the Executive and Legislative branches on this important set of issues.
The Commission is chaired by the Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Marilyn Tavenner, and has a diverse membership including state legislators, members of the Governor's Cabinet, consumer and patient advocates, health care leaders, and citizens. The Commission will hold public meetings to allow for citizen participation in its work, and will issue a final report to the Governor by September 2007.
Health Reform Commission
Anthony L. Burfoot of Norfolk will serve as a member on the Commission. Burfoot serves as a councilman for the City of Norfolk. He is a member of the YMCA of South Hampton Roads' Community Services Board.
Jan L. Burrus of Alexandria will serve as a member on the Commission. Burrus is executive manager of state government affairs at GlaxoSmithKline. She is a member of the Virginia Medicaid Pharmacy Liaison Committee.
Henry Claypool of Arlington County will serve as a member on the Commission. Claypool is director of the Washington office for Independent Care System. He is an advisor to the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Brian D. Coyne of Arlington County will serve as a member on the Commission. Coyne is senior vice-president of federal government relations for Amerigroup Corporation. He previously served as chief of staff for the Social Security Administration in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Terry D. Dickinson of Richmond will serve as a member on the Commission. Dickinson is executive director of the Virginia Dental Association. He was in private practice for over 30 years.
Karen Drenkard of Fairfax County will serve as a member on the Commission. Drenkard is chief nurse executive of Inova Health System. She serves as vice-chair of the Northern Virginia Area Health Education Center.
Michael M. Dudley of Chesapeake will serve as a member on the Commission. Dudley is president of Sentara Health Plans, and senior vice-president of Sentara Healthcare. He previously served as vice-president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plans, Inc.
James N. Ellenberger of Vienna will serve as a member on the Commission. Ellenberger is president of the AFL-CIO Retirees Association. He serves as a worker outreach advisor to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
Arthur Garson, Jr. of Charlottesville will serve as a member on the Commission. Garson is dean of the School of Medicine and vice-president of the University of Virginia. He is a former president of the American College of Cardiology.
The Honorable Franklin P. Hall of Richmond will serve as a member on the Commission. Hall is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. He is a member of the Joint Commission on Health Care.
David H. Hallock, Jr. of Richmond will serve as a member on the Commission. Hallock is vice-president and counsel for Kemper Consulting.
The Honorable Phillip A. Hamilton of Newport News will serve as a member on the Commission. Hamilton is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.
Dr. Lorena L. Harvey of Midlothian will serve as a member on the Commission. Harvey is a physician with Physicians of Family Medicine at Clover Hill. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
The Honorable R. "Edd" Houck of Spotsylvania will serve as a member on the Commission. Houck is a member of the Senate of Virginia.
Teresa M. Klaassen of McLean will serve as a member on the Commission. Klaassen is vice-president of Sunrise Assisted Living. She is a member of the Northern Virginia Healthcare Workforce Alliance.
William L. Lukhard of Richmond will serve as a member on the Commission. Lukhard is an executive council member of the AARP of Virginia. He is a former commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services.
T. Carter Melton, Jr. of Bridgewater will serve as a member on the Commission. Melton is president of Rockingham Memorial Hospital. He is a member and former chairman of the board of the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association
The Honorable Brian J. Moran of Alexandria will serve as a member on the Commission. Moran is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.
The Honorable John M. O'Bannon, III of Richmond will serve as a member on the Commission. O'Bannon is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. He is legislative chairman of the Medical Society of Virginia.
Deborah D. Oswalt of Richmond will serve as a member on the Commission. Oswalt is executive director of the Virginia Health Care Foundation. She is a former deputy secretary of Health and Human Resources.
Julien G. Patterson of Oakton will serve as a member on the Commission. Patterson is president and chief executive officer of Omniplex World Services Corporation. Patterson served with the Central Intelligence Agency for over 10 years.
The Honorable Linda "Toddy" Puller of Mount Vernon will serve as a member on the Commission. Puller is a member of the Senate of Virginia.
Sanjay Puri of Herndon will serve as a member on the Commission. Puri is the president and chief executive officer of Optimos, Inc. He is a leader in the Northern Virginia business community focusing on e-government and information technology.
Dr. Sheldon Retchin of Richmond will serve as a member on the Commission. Retchin is vice-president for Health Sciences for VCU, and chief executive officer of the VCU Health System. He is a board member of the Association of Academic Health Centers.
Craig R. Smith of Richmond will serve as a member on the Commission. Smith is president and chief executive officer for Owens & Minor, Inc. He is a member of the board of directors of the Virginia Bio-Technology Research Park Corporation.
Thomas G. Snead, Jr. of Richmond will serve as a member on the Commission. Snead is chair of the Virginia Healthcare Foundation. He is retired from his position as president and chief executive officer of the Southeast Region for WellPoint, Inc,
The Honorable Lionell Spruill, Sr. of Chesapeake will serve as a member on the Commission. Spruill is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. He is a member of the board for the Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind.
Nancy J. Stern of Belle Haven will serve as a member on the Commission. Stern is executive director of Eastern Shore Rural Health Systems. She is a former board president of the Virginia Primary Care Association.
The Honorable Roslyn C. Tyler of Jarratt will serve as a member on the Commission. Tyler is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association.
The Honorable William C. Wampler, Jr. of Bristol will serve as a member on the Commission. Wampler is a member of the Senate of Virginia. He is a former Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves.
L. William Yolton of Alexandria will serve as a member on the Commission. Yolton is a parish associate for Mental Health Advocacy for Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church.
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Jeffrey D. Tiller
Press Aide
Office of the Governor
jeff.tiller@governor.virginia.gov
(804) 692-2599 (office)
Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219