We are excited to share the appointment of four new members to Archstone Foundation’s Board of Directors.
As we approached the departures of long-time Directors Rocky Suares, Peter Szutu, and Amye Leong, we pursued a careful process of searching for additional outstanding Board candidates. We prioritized diversity and finding expertise that can assist us in implementing our strategic plan, as well as governance and interpersonal skills that can make our Board a more effective group in the coming years.
These new members will maintain the outstanding diversity of our board in their skills, background, and expertise. All will support the effective implementation of our strategic plan, and we are honored to introduce to you these outstanding leaders. Please join us in welcoming:
- Jean Accius, PhD, whose expertise is driving transformational change, innovation and results.
- Katherine Kim, PhD, who has expertise in health information technology, consumer issues, and federal health information technology policy.
- Jürgen Unützer, MD, who is an expert in medical practice change, integration of healthcare and social services, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services innovations, and value-based payment processes.
- Ramiro Zúñiga, MD, MBA, who has expertise in clinical care for low-income populations in California, managed care, California’s transforming MediCal program, and national trends in Medicaid transformation.
Meet Our New Directors
Jean Accius, PhD
AARP Senior Vice President for Global Thought Leadership
Dr. Accius is a passionate champion and catalyst for changing how the world sees and values aging. He is an internationally recognized thought leader on aging, longevity, equity, health systems transformation, and modernizing the delivery and financing of long-term care. At AARP, he serves as a global thought leader by identifying emerging trends around the world, cultivating and elevating new ideas, forging global strategic alliances that become the foundation for collaboration, and sparking bold solutions to change systems and improve the lives of the global population as it ages. Dr. Accius’ experience in driving transformational change, innovation, and results will profoundly assist in achieving the foundation’s mission.
“The millions of older Californians and their caregivers can play an enormous, even pivotal role in the next wave of transformation of the nation’s health care system,” he said, “and it will be a thrill to help the Foundation play an important part in that happening.”
Katherine Kim, PhD, MPH, MBA
Principal at MITRE Corp, Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of California, Davis
Dr. Kim is a health informatics researcher specializing in participatory methods in digital health and clinical research networks. She co-directs the CITRIS Health ACTIVATE project, a major effort to improve care and address social determinants in health in rural and vulnerable communities through expansions of digital health and telehealth. She started the International Summer Institute in Telehealth, Informatics, and Data Science, a training program of the Transatlantic Telehealth Research Network and CITRIS that is now active in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Dr. Kim’s knowledge in both health information technology and consumer user issues, along with her familiarity with federal health IT policy, will be vital in her role at the Foundation.
“I am honored and excited to contribute to the Foundation’s long-lasting impact on the health of Californians,” she said, “particularly its upcoming engagement to discover opportunities for enhancing health IT.”
Jürgen Unützer, MD, MPH, MA
Professor and Chair of the Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Department and founder of the AIMS Center at the University of Washington
An internationally recognized psychiatrist and health services researcher, Dr Unützer’s research focuses on innovative models of care that integrate mental health and general medical services, and on translating research on evidence-based mental health care into effective clinical and public health practice. He previously served as the principal investigator for the Archstone Foundation Care Partners project to improve depression care for older adults through partnerships between care clinics and community-based organizations. Dr. Unützer is an expert in medical practice change, integration of healthcare and social services, CMS innovations, and value-based payment processes.
“Advancing quality team care through training and technology is a critical issue,” he said. “Working together is the right approach to make meaningful change. I look forward to becoming a valued contributor in this new role.”
Ramiro Zúñiga, MD, MBA, FAAFP
Vice President, Medical Director, Medi-Cal at Health Net/California Health and Wellness - Centene Corp.
Dr. Zúñiga is a medical director for Health Net and California Health & Wellness, managed care Medi-Cal health plans that are subsidiaries of Centene Corporation. He has responsibilities in utilization management, case management, quality improvement, and other operational areas of the health plan. His expertise in clinical care of low-income populations in California, managed care, California’s Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative, and national trends in Medicaid transformation will all be an asset to the Foundation.
“The health inequities that Californians of color or with low incomes face are among the biggest challenges our state’s health care system faces, and I’m honored to join an organization that’s committed to confronting the problem,” he said.
Christopher A. Langston contributed to this post.
