Partners in Care Foundation is pleased to award its 2022 Vision and Excellence in Healthcare Leadership Award to Dr. Arthur M. Southam, Kaiser Permanente’s Executive Vice President of Health Plan Operations and Chief Growth Officer.
“There are many and significant reasons for making this award to Dr. Southam,” explained June Simmons, President and CEO of the Partners in Care Foundation (Partners). “His impact shaping healthcare in both California and the nation through decades of consistent and successful leadership are notable. In addition, he has been generous with his time mentoring and coaching so many of the industry’s current leaders. These combined make him an ideal recipient of this prestigious award.”
“It’s an incredible honor to follow in the footsteps of a group of people who I deeply admire and who have had a profound impact on healthcare in California and across the country. It’s also an opportunity to raise attention to the very important issues that are at the root of Partners throughout its history. Partners has been, and continues to be, a leader in raising awareness and acting regarding the impact of social factors on health, care, and our communities. They have been front and center with this important work,” said Dr. Southam.
Dr. Southam is, and has for decades, made a difference in the lives of many through his healthcare leadership. He is widely recognized for his pioneering work within the Health Plan community, including a 20-plus year tenure with Kaiser Permanente (currently serving as EVP of Health Plan Operations and Chief Growth Officer). He is a past Chair of CHRISTUS Health, the Council for Affordable Quality Health Care, the California Association of Health Plans, the Integrated Health Care Association and Easter Seals of Southern California. His agility, ability, and willingness to offer unique contributions in the various key sectors of healthcare are recognized and appreciated by all who know him.
Dr. Southam joined Kaiser Permanente in 2001 and has national responsibility for Health Plan marketing, sales, service, and administrative activities that support growth and care. He is dedicated to helping Kaiser Permanente deliver high-quality, affordable health care and coverage to more Americans. Kaiser Permanente is America’s largest not-for-profit health system, providing integrated health care and coverage to 12.5 million members and patients in eight states.
Before joining Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Southam was chief executive officer of two California-based health plans, Health Net and CareAmerica.
Dr. Southam has served as a member of the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on the Quality of Health Care in America, contributing to the widely cited publications To Err is Human, regarding patient safety, and Crossing the Quality Chasm which outlines principles and priorities for improvements in the quality of American health care. Dr. Southam received his medical degree and MPH from UCLA, and his MBA from Pepperdine University. He received his BA in neuroscience from Amherst College. He currently resides in Santa Monica.
The 22nd annual Partners in Care Foundation Tribute Dinner will be held on June 20, 2022, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Dr. Sachin H. Jain, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Scan Group and Scan Health Plan, also will be honored that evening with the Partners’ Champion for Health Award.
Partners in Care Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in San Fernando. Its mission is to align social care and health care to address the social determinants of health and equity disparities affecting diverse, under-served and vulnerable populations.
