Maricopa Integrated Health System

Media Contact: Judy Keane (602) 568-7256

Special Health Care District Board

(Phoenix, AZ) June 27, 2012 - Susan Gerard, a former state lawmaker, state Health Director and one of Arizona’s leading health policy experts, has been elected chairman of the Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Directors. Director Alice Lara was additionally elected as Vice-Chair.

The Board has named Gerard to lead the panel that oversees Arizona’s only public health care system, including Maricopa Medical Center, the Arizona Burn Center, the Arizona Children’s Center, two psychiatric hospitals and a network of community health centers.

Gerard has been on the board since 2008 and previously served as vice chairman. She succeeds Elbert Bicknell, who will continue to serve as a board member.

“There is no stronger advocate for our organization’s success than Susan Gerard,” said Maricopa Integrated Health System President and CEO Betsey Bayless.

Gerard is well known in Arizona’s health care community. She was the state’s foremost authority on health care issues in the legislature. As chair of the House and Senate Health Committees, she authored, co-authored or led the fight for every piece of major health care legislation that became law in her 14-year legislative career. She served as Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services from April 2005 to July 2008, and as a health care policy adviser to Governor Janet Napolitano.

"I am honored to serve as Chairman of this exceptional Board," said Gerard. "I also want to thank Director Bicknell for his outstanding leadership and I'm delighted that he will continue his important work as a member of the Board.

“This is an exciting time for our safety net health care system,” Gerard added. “I am looking forward to working with our entire Board, medical staff, hospital leadership and our partners at District Medical Group and the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix to ensure that we fulfill our mission of delivering compassionate, high-quality patient-centered care.”

Susan received a Bachelor of Arts from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and a Masters in Business Administration from Arizona State University.

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