Nashville Health Care Council Launches Leadership Search
The chairman of the board of directors of the Nashville Health Care Council announced on March 6 the pending resignation of Council President Caroline Young, who informed the board of her intention to explore other opportunities. Young said her intention was to step down from her leadership role in spring 2015. To ensure continuity and a smooth transition, she will continue to lead the Council while a search is underway for new leadership.
Young joined the Council in 2004 as vice president and served as president since 2008, guiding the organization through an unprecedented period of growth and expanded visibility.
“Caroline has played a critical role in ensuring that Nashville’s diverse healthcare community, from emerging leaders, to entrepreneurs to established industry veterans, has had opportunities to learn about key issues, grow their businesses, and maintain our position as a center of health care expertise and influence,” said Council Board Chair Bill Carpenter, chairman and CEO of LifePoint Hospitals. “Caroline has helped the council become a unique national model for driving innovation and for expanding the reach of Nashville-based companies around the world.”
“Caroline’s understanding of the challenges and the opportunities for council members has guided the development of high-value programming for which we have gained a world-class reputation,” said Board Vice Chair Bill Gracey, president and CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. “She has helped council executives learn more about the changing environment for their companies and has furthered the understanding of Nashville health care’s economic impact and influence.”
During Young’s tenure as president, the council’s reputation as a trusted resource for information and leading voice for Nashville’s healthcare industry has grown significantly. Under Young, the council launched the Fellows initiative, an innovative curriculum offered on an annual basis to a select group of senior executives from Nashville and across the country, which has become a national model. She also guided the growth of the council’s Leadership Health Care (LHC) program, with its nationally recognized focus on developing the talents of Nashville’s emerging healthcare leaders.
Under Young’s leadership, the council experienced consistent membership growth and strong retention with membership currently at 265 organizations. She led the creation of strategic programming for the council, which today includes 70 high-level events with annual attendance of more than 6,000. With activities held in Nashville and in other cities around the world, the council has significantly expanded its reach among partners, industry groups, business executives and the media. International collaboration has seen notable growth for the council with executive-level programs held in 10 different countries and numerous visits by foreign dignitaries.
“For more than four decades, Nashville has been a center of expertise and entrepreneurial spirit for our
nation’s healthcare industry. Innovations developed here positively impact the delivery of quality patient
care literally throughout the world on a daily basis,” Young said. “It has been a true honor to work
alongside the council board and staff and our talented member executives on initiatives that are important
not only to our city, but to our country and beyond.” Council officials said the search for a new leader will begin immediately. A four member sub-committee of the Council board will guide the search process. For additional updates, please go to the Nashville Health Care Council web site at www.healthcarecouncil.com.
About the Nashville Health Care Council
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Nashville Health Care Council is a premier association of healthcare industry leaders working together to further establish Nashville’s position as the nation’s healthcare industry capital. Founded as an initiative of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, the council’s more than 260 corporate members include Nashville-based and national healthcare companies. The council serves as a source for information on trends that influence the healthcare industry. The organization provides members with unique networking opportunities and access to Nashville’s elite healthcare business community.
Worldwide, Nashville’s healthcare industry generates more than 400,000 jobs and $70 billion in annual revenue. The industry is Nashville’s largest and fastest growing employer.