She'll soon mark a half century in Catholic health care
Sr. Carol
Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, has announced her intention to retire as CHA president and chief executive officer by June 30. An influential leader in the Catholic health care ministry, Sr. Carol has led CHA for 13 years during a time of transformational change and unprecedented challenge in the health care ministry.
She began her health care career as a registered nurse and became a respected voice in promoting access to health care for all, especially for people who are impoverished and vulnerable. She has inspired and harnessed the CHA membership's advocacy for expanding access to affordable health insurance for children and adults.
Proponents of the Affordable Care Act credit Sr. Carol and the association with helping to secure the act's passage. Sr. Carol has called the ACA imperfect, but a good first step toward national health care policy that views health care access as a human right, not a privilege.
A president and members of Congress sought her counsel on health care policy, but Sr. Carol never sought the public spotlight for herself. Nevertheless, she embraced the opportunity to advance health care justice and the values of the ministry by being a leading voice for social justice and health care access. In 2010, TIME magazine named her one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World." She has made the Modern Healthcare list of the "100 Most Influential People in Healthcare" multiple times, topping the list in 2007.
Michael Slubowski, chair of the CHA Board of Trustees, said in a memo to the CHA board that Sr. Carol "leaves an incredible legacy for Catholic health care that has greatly benefited the people and communities we serve across the nation.
"Because of her relentless energy and passion for Catholic health care and the people we serve, CHA and its members are key influencers for improving our health care delivery system," he said. Slubowski is president and chief operating officer of Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health.
Kevin Sexton, vice-chair of CHA's board, noted that Sr. Carol has led CHA with distinction "during a critical time for Catholic health care and for health care generally in the United States. She has always focused first and foremost on our values and, as a result, has had an outsized impact on U.S. health care policy to the benefit of those most in need," he said. "Her impact will be felt for generations."
A search committee made up of CHA board members and CHA member representatives will lead the national search for the next head of CHA.
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