NEW YORK, May 11, 2022 — David Blumenthal, M.D., will step down as president of the Commonwealth Fund at the end of 2022, after 10 years as head of the 104-year-old health care policy foundation. Under his leadership, the Commonwealth Fund has introduced numerous new initiatives, including a major effort to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care practice, policy, and outcomes and an expansion of work in health care coverage and access and international health policy and practice innovations. During his tenure, the Fund has steadily enhanced its stature as a source of objective, nonpartisan analysis to inform national discussions around health policy, as well as the sophistication and reach of its communications capabilities.
“The Commonwealth Fund has been fortunate to have a leader like David Blumenthal during this past decade of advances and challenges in health care,” said Michael Drake, M.D., President of the University of California and Commonwealth Fund Board Chair. “David’s wisdom, humanity, and breadth of experience in medicine, academia, government, and health systems management has made the foundation a stronger and more influential voice in the drive to improve U.S. health care. He is a valued colleague and trusted friend.”
Before joining the Fund in 2013, Blumenthal was the Samuel O. Thier Professor of Medicine and Professor of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. He was also Chief Health Information and Innovation Officer at Partners Healthcare System (now Mass General Brigham). From 2009 to 2011, Blumenthal served as U.S. National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. He is the author of hundreds of scholarly and lay articles, as well as several books, including Heart of Power: Health and Politics in the Oval Office.
“I have always believed that for an organization to remain vigorous and innovative, there must be periodic change in leadership,” said Blumenthal. “I am proud of the diverse and brilliant team we have assembled over the past 10 years and will miss the unique opportunity to make a difference that comes with being part of the Commonwealth Fund — the opportunity to help craft a more equitable health care system that better serves all Americans, especially the most vulnerable among us.”
Commonwealth Fund Board Chair Drake will lead a search committee to recruit Blumenthal’s successor. Inquiries should be directed to Egon Zehnder, the global leadership advisory firm that will manage the search.