LETTER FROM BOARD CHAIR

The Critical Importance of Our Shared Mission

By—LaVaugh Palma-Davis
Chair, HERO Board of Directors
Senior Director, University Health &Well Being Initiatives
University of Michigan

As I began reflecting on HERO’s priorities for the next two years, I couldn’t help feeling a sense of excitement, responsibility, importance and urgency about the work we all share in moving the field of health management forward. Demonstrating the value of health management to organizational leaders across the United States is paramount at this time, when there is so much focus on the cost of health care and the continuing escalation of poor health in our country. Whether they are in the private or public sector, all organizations, their employees, constituents and associated communities can benefit from the work we do. The partnerships that HERO has established over the years are critical to accomplishing our mutual goals and solidifying the value of prevention and health management in contributing to individual, organizational and community well-being.

It’s an important time to make progress on HERO’s vision “to promote a culture of health and performance through employer leadership” by bringing together thought leaders to share knowledge, facilitate actionable research and drive innovation. The emphasis on population health management in the Affordable Care Act, the interest in employee engagement and performance by executives and major community health projects like the Blue Zones and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s initiatives are all examples of the tremendous opportunity we have to collaborate in meaningful ways and make a positive difference in our communities. I am particularly encouraged by the discussions about the importance of culture and environment in sustaining good health. In addition, the ever-increasing use of social media and technology to enhance health behaviors allow us to affect population health in new, broader and deeper ways. 

In addition to feeling pride, I was also impressed by how much progress we’ve made toward the objectives in the HERO Business Plan for 2012-2015. In particular:

1.  Expand HERO research efforts – The research that has been accomplished and that is outlined in the 2014 HERO Research Agenda document represents an impressive array of work made possible by the generous contributions of HERO Research Partners.

2.  Enhance our media presence – Some of the highlights of this past year were subject matter expert articles in several trade journals, the publication of important research articles and white papers, and presentations by staff and members at various conferences nationwide.

3.  Expand our educational outreach programs – The 2013 HERO Fall Forum had the highest number of participants, thus far, with over 400 attendees. In addition, HERO has continued to host webinars on a variety of topics, which are archived online and available on demand.

4.  Develop collaborations that will move our mission forward – HERO has established numerous partnerships which are strengthening and advancing our progress toward common goals. We look forward to continuing to build on these important collaborations, among them:  the Health Project (C. Everett Koop Award), the Population Health Alliance, Mercer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Clinton Foundation “Health Matters” Initiative, the Institute of Medicine, The Hope Street Group, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, American Heart Association, American Cancer Association, American Diabetes Associations, and the Samueli Institute.

5.  Develop industry tools and standards – Version 4.0 of the HERO Scorecard will be released early this summer. The Program MeasurementEvaluation Guide: Core Metrics for Employee Health Management incollaboration with the Population Health Alliance, has also been released and is available on the HERO website.

6.  Help shape public policy - the Joint Consensus Statement on Incentives  and the HERO commentary on wellness programs  to ERISA are two examples of HERO activity in this area.

7.  Growth of HERO membership (so that we can continue to do all of the above) – current Think Tank membership is at its highest level, and growing. We are fortunate to have generous financial support from our members, research partners and Forum sponsors. In addition, HERO has received grants this year from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Institute of Medicine to further develop the concept of the employer’s role in community health.

None of this would be possible without the exceptional contributions of our Think Tank members. HERO accomplishes what it does through the active involvement and talent of its many members who volunteer on numerous committees. Our “think tank” approach brings together thought leaders to share knowledge, explore compelling issues, identify best practices and facilitate actions to improve outcomes.

The Future

While we will continue to make progress on the objectives in the 2012-2015 business plan, we also need to consider the tremendous change affecting the field of health management and do our best to envision and prepare for the future. In July, the HERO Board of Directors will conducting its annual strategic planning meeting, led by Seth Serxner. I invite you to provide your thoughts to me or any of our board members prior to that meeting.

It’s an exciting time for HERO members, with tremendous opportunity to help solidify prevention and health management as a core business value. Your knowledge, dedication, passion and collaborative spirit can be the lifeblood to achieving our vision. I look forward to what we can accomplish together!

LaVaughn Palma-Davis

Chair, HERO Board of Directors

HERO Board of Directors

LaVaughn Palma-Davis, Chairman Board of HERO, Senior Director, University Health & Well Being Initiatives, University of Michigan

John Harris, Immediate Past Chair Board of HERO, MEd, Principal, Performance pH

Ron Goetzel, Vice-Chair Board of HERO, PhD, Vice President of Consulting & Applied Research, Truven Health Analytics, Research Professor-Emory University

Lilly Wyttenbach, Secretary of HERO, MA, Vice President, Benefits, Goldman, Sachs & Co

Kristine Holbrook, Treasurer of HERO, MEd, Senior Vice President, Employer Health and Wellness Services and Wellness Services, MediFit Corporate Services

Jerry Noyce, President & CEO, HERO

David Anderson, PhD, Senior Vice President and Chief Health Officer, Staywell Health Management

Victoria George, MA, MPH, National Executive Director, Program Evaluation, HealthWorks and Product Innovation, Kaiser Permanente

Josh Glynn, Fitness Program Manager, Google

Fikry Isaac, MD, MPH, FACOEM, Vice President Global Health Services, Johnson & Johnson

Dan Krick, MA, VP of People Resources, Lincoln Industries

Betty-Jo Saenz, MBA, MPH, Sr. Director, Benefits, ADT

Seth Serxner, PhD, MPH, Chief Health Officer and Senior Vice President of Population Health, OptumHealth Care Solutions, United Health Group

Jeffry Warren, MPA, Sr. Advisor, Gardent Global

Laurie Whitsel, PhD, Director Public Research, American Heart Association

LaVaugh Palma-Davis
Chair, HERO Board of Directors
Senior Director, University Health &Well Being Initiatives
University of Michigan