Press Release

AHA Board Elects Benjamin K. Chu, MD, Chair-Elect Designate

Contact:
Matthew Fenwick - (312) 422-2820
Marie Watteau - (202) 626-2351

San Diego

The American Hospital Association's (AHA) Board of Trustees has elected Benjamin K. Chu, MD, MPH, MACP, group president, Southern California and Hawaii, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Health Plan in Pasadena, Calif., as its chair-elect designate.  Dr. Chu will assume the chairmanship in 2013, becoming the top elected official of the national organization that represents America's hospitals and health systems.

Dr. Chu currently oversees 14 hospitals and 168 medical offices serving more than 3.6 million of Kaiser Permanente's 8.8 million members. He was appointed regional president of Kaiser Permanente Southern California in 2005.  In 2011, he was appointed group president with additional accountability for Kaiser Permanente's Hawaii region. 

"It is my privilege to serve in this role at this important time," said Dr. Chu.  "Health care is at a crossroads, and hospitals will play an important role in improving the health of America."

Dr. Chu served for three years as president of New York City's Health and Hospitals Corporation, the largest public hospital system in the country.  He was senior vice president for medical and professional affairs for the public hospitals from 1990 to 1994, as well as acting commissioner of health for the New York City Department of Health.

A primary internist by training, Dr. Chu also has experience with academic medical centers.  He was senior associate dean at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and associate dean and vice president for clinical affairs at the New York University School of Medicine and Medical Center.  He was a 1989-1990 Robert Wood Johnson policy fellow, serving as legislative assistant for health for Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ).

Dr. Chu currently serves on the board of the Commonwealth Fund in New York and chairs the board of the American Legacy Foundation.  He is a former board member of the AHA, serving on its executive committee in 2008.  He is currently an AHA representative to The Joint Commission's board.

Dr. Chu earned his medical degree at New York University, his master's of public health from Columbia University, and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Yale University.

About AHA

The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which includes more than 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, and 38,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends.