The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers focused on health care safety and quality, today announces the election of Linda Schwimmer, President & CEO of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, as its new Board Chair, and announces the election of two new members to its Board of Directors: Ellen Kelsay of the Business Group on Health and Carole Hemmelgarn of Patients for Patient Safety U.S.
In addition to Schwimmer, the officers elected are:
- Vice Chair: Vice Admiral Raquel Bono, MD, MBA, FACS, Principal, RCB Consulting LLC
- Treasurer: John Zern, President and CEO, Ryan Specialty Benefits
- Secretary: Sally Welborn, Advisor, Welborn Advisory Services
Previously serving as Vice Chair, Schwimmer has served Leapfrog in various capacities including as Leapfrog Regional Leader for New Jersey and New York. She leads the Quality Institute’s mission for safe, equitable and affordable health care. She succeeds Michelle Martin, who served as Leapfrog chairperson since 2022, and is Vice President of Total Rewards Experience at Paramount.
“There is no organization that has made more of an impact on patient safety at the national level than The Leapfrog Group, so it is an honor and a true challenge to take on this role. We have made progress, but so much work is ahead of us to enhance the safety and quality of health care across the nation. I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated Board Members and Leapfrog leadership to drive meaningful change,” Schwimmer said. “I want to thank my predecessor, Michelle Martin, for her terrific leadership positioning Leapfrog as a high-growth, high-impact organization.”
Leapfrog also welcomes two new Board members elected for terms starting September 2024:
Ellen Kelsay, President and CEO, Business Group on Health
Ellen Kelsay leads the largest nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to representing employers' perspectives on critical health, well-being and workforce strategy issues. Ellen is a sought-after speaker and expert on health and well-being issues. Kelsay hosts the Business Group on Health podcast and has authored op-eds for various publications including Harvard Business Review and Modern Healthcare. She has also been recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare, has delivered Congressional testimony and is frequently cited in the press.
"Joining The Leapfrog Group's Board is an exciting opportunity to further advocate for transformative changes in health care. I am eager to bring the insights and perspectives from my work with employers to our collective efforts at Leapfrog. By working together, we can drive innovations that improve health outcomes and make a lasting impact on the well-being of individuals and communities,” Kelsay said.
Carole Hemmelgarn, Founding Member, Patients for Patient Safety U.S.; Program Director, Executive Master’s for Clinical Quality, Safety & Leadership, Georgetown University
Carole Hemmelgarn is a distinguished expert in health care communication and patient safety. Tragically Carole lost her daughter from medical errors, and because of this, she emerged as a powerful speaker and activist on putting patients first. She is also a member of Leapfrog’s Patient and Family Caregiver Expert Panel. Hemmelgarn holds advanced degrees in patient safety leadership and health care ethics, and her contributions have been recognized by industry awards. Her commitment to fostering a culture of transparency and safety in health care makes her a respected leader and a trusted voice in the field.
"It is a profound privilege to join The Leapfrog Group’s Board and contribute to its mission of advancing patient safety and quality. My personal experiences have shaped my unwavering dedication to improving health care practices, and I am excited to work alongside such a passionate and visionary team. Together, we will continue to champion the voices of patients and drive forward initiatives that prioritize their safety and well-being,” Hemmelgarn said.
“The key to Leapfrog’s out-sized impact on American health care has always been our Board,” said Leah Binder, President & CEO, The Leapfrog Group. “We benefit from superstar leaders from throughout the country who are independent of the health care industry but care deeply about the quality of care all of us need and deserve. This year’s board is no different, and I look forward to even more progress under Linda Schwimmer’s leadership.”
About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog's other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections. For more, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram and sign up for our newsletter.