Council President Caroline Young Announces Departure after Seven Year Tenure
The chairman of the board of directors of the Nashville Health Care Council today announced Council President Caroline Young has informed the board of her intention to explore other opportunities to put her talents, skills and energy to work, and therefore will 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 health care 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 health care 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 health care 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 health care 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 say 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 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 health care industry leaders working together to further establish Nashville’s position as the nation’s health care 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 health care companies. The Council serves as a trusted source for information on trends that influence the health care industry. The organization provides members with one-of-a-kind networking opportunities and access to Nashville’s elite health care business community.
Worldwide, Nashville’s health care industry generates more than 400,000 jobs and $70 billion in annual revenue. The industry is Nashville’s largest and fastest growing employer. For more information on the Council, please visit www.healthcarecouncil.com.
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CONTACT:
Katie Schlacter, Nashville Health Care Council
kschlacter@healthcarecouncil.com
615-743-3147