FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brookline, Mass. — The Lown Institute announces the election of Mary T. Bassett and Chris Kryder to its board of directors. Patricia Gabow, an existing board member, has been elected chair. These changes come as the nonpartisan think tank seeks to build upon the groundbreaking launch of the Lown Hospitals Index, the first ranking to evaluate hospitals on their success at civic leadership, including racial inclusivity and investment in community health.
“The times are calling for bold thinking to improve American health,” said Dr. Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute. “These board members bring deep experience in health equity, public health, and care delivery that will be invaluable to the Institute as we move forward with our work.”
Regarding the election of Patricia Gabow as board chair, Saini said, “Dr. Gabow has an outstanding record of leadership in health care that we are sure will help us grow our organization and expand our impact.”
Mary T. Bassett, MD, MPH has more than 30 years of experience in public health in a career dedicated to advancing health equity. She is the director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University and the FXB professor of the Practice of Health and Human Rights at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Prior to joining the FXB Center, Dr. Bassett served as New York City’s commissioner of health from 2014 to 2018. Dr. Bassett lived in Zimbabwe for nearly 20 years, where she served on the medical faculty of the University of Zimbabwe. She also worked as the program director for the African Health Initiative and the Child Well-being Program at the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and as deputy commissioner for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Chris Kryder, MD is a leader in healthcare data analytics and information technology. He is the founder of newly-formed New Era Medical Organizations (NEMO), and he is executive chair of Chicago-based Higi. From 2013 through 2020, Dr. Kryder was an executive partner in Boston-based Flare Capital Partners. Previously, Dr. Kryder served as executive chair of Valence Health (sold to Evolent), founder and CEO of the analytics vendor D2Hawkeye (sold to Verisk) and a co-founder of Generation Health (sold to CVS). Dr. Kryder was a primary care internist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for nearly two decades, and directed clinical operations for MIT’s corporate HMO. He received his BA (History) from the University of Buffalo, his MD from Georgetown, and his MBA from MIT. He was active on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, Division of Health, Science, and Technology for more than 25 years.
Patricia Gabow, MD, MACP is a national leader in delivery system innovation and the care of vulnerable populations. She retired in 2012 after 20 years as CEO of Denver Health and Hospital Authority (DHHA), an integrated health care system serving one of the poorest populations in the state of Colorado. Dr. Gabow is the author of more than 130 articles, 36 books and book chapters, including two recent books, The Lean Prescription: Powerful Medicine for Our Ailing Healthcare System and TIME’S NOW for Women Healthcare Leaders. She serves on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Board of Trustees. She is a member of the Association for Manufacturing Excellence Hall of Fame and the National Academy of Social Insurance. Earlier in Dr. Gabow’s career, she was an academic practitioner and medical researcher in nephrology focusing on polycystic kidney disease.
ABOUT THE LOWN INSTITUTE
Founded in 1973 by Nobel Peace Prize winner Bernard Lown, MD, developer of the defibrillator and cardioverter, the Lown Institute advances civic leadership, accountability, and value in health care. The Institute believes a radically better system of health is possible and generates bold ideas to that aim. The Lown Hospitals Index, a signature project, is the first hospital ranking focused on civic leadership and includes measures like inclusivity by race, avoidance of overuse, and pay equity.
CONTACT
Aaron Toleos, VP Communications, atoleos@lowninstitute.org, (617) 992-9349
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