OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente today announced that Bernard J. Tyson officially assumed the role of chairman of the boards of directors of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., America's largest non-profit integrated health care provider. Tyson was originally named by the boards in November 2012 to be the organization's next chairman and CEO, and he has been serving as CEO since July 2013. He assumed the role of chairman on Jan. 1, 2014.

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Tyson, a San Francisco Bay Area native, has nearly 30 years of hospital and health plan experience with Kaiser Permanente. He has managed all major aspects of the organization, serving in roles from hospital administrator to division president while leading Kaiser Permanente's operations in California and in its other regions. Prior to being named CEO, he served as president and chief operating officer.

Tyson steps into his role as chairman as the nation moves ahead with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. "I am honored to lead Kaiser Permanente at a time when the health care industry is going through an historic transformation," he said. "Kaiser Permanente's mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve, and that mission is more important than ever as the nation begins the next stage of this journey to improve the health and wellbeing of Americans for years to come.

"I am confident that with the support of the board and the ongoing dedication of our physicians, nurses and staff, Kaiser Permanente will continue to be a model for the future of health care."

Kaiser Permanente serves 9.1 million members and generates more than $50 billion in annual revenue. Kaiser Permanente's 175,000 employees and 17,000 physicians consistently deliver some of the best cancer care, cardiovascular care and neuroscience outcomes in the nation, while also leading the country in infection prevention, cancer screenings, patient safety and quality.

"With the depth and breadth of his experience, Bernard is the ideal person to lead Kaiser Permanente during this period of dramatic and historic change in health care," said board member Kim Kaiser, who served as chairman of the search committee. "He is committed to ensuring that Kaiser Permanente continues to meet the evolving needs of our members and communities by providing high-value health care that delivers high-quality medical outcomes at an affordable price."

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 9.1 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to kp.org/share.

For more information, contact:
Donna Uchida, Donna.J.Uchida@kp.org, 510-852-2557
Holly Potter, Holly.Potter@kp.org, 510-435-2129

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente