2024 Bernard J. Tyson Health Equity Award honors late Kaiser Permanente Chairman and CEO
Washington, D.C. (October 10, 2024) – The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) is pleased to recognize two outstanding leaders dedicated to health equity, Dr. Patricia Wilkerson-Uddyback and Mary Eden, as recipients of the 2024 Bernard J. Tyson Health Equity Award. The annual award was presented during ACHP’s recent Annual Symposium and honors former Kaiser Permanente CEO Bernard J. Tyson and his lifelong commitment to addressing disparities in coverage and care for all Americans.
“Dr. Wilkerson-Uddyback and Mary embody Bernard’s spirit and dedication to health equity every day,” said ACHP President and CEO Ceci Connolly. “They are fierce advocates for advancing health equity in their communities, from providing accessible primary care services to bolstering rural workforces, and we are proud to honor them with this award.”
Awardee Dr. Patricia Wilkerson-Uddyback is the Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of the Detroit Community Health Connection, where she leads efforts to provide accessible, comprehensive care to underserved populations in Detroit. She was nominated by Michigan-based ACHP member Priority Health. In 2013, she launched the Medical Mentors Pipeline Program, providing a shadowing program for high school and college students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in becoming physicians. In her current role, she oversees primary care services for underserved communities.
“Receiving the Bernard J. Tyson Health Equity Award is a tremendous honor, and I am humbled to be the recipient of such a prestigious award. Mr. Tyson was a true trailblazer in improving access to high-quality health care for all and it is such a wonderful validation of my life’s work to receive this award in his name,” said Dr. Wilkerson-Uddyback. “Over the course of my 30-year career, I have worked tirelessly to elevate diversity in medicine and improve access to all people in my community and I am honored to receive this prestigious award.”
Awardee Mary Eden is the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at New Mexico-based Presbyterian Health Plan. Throughout her 32-year career, Mary has championed policies and initiatives that prioritize inclusivity and affordability, positively impacting the lives of countless New Mexicans. Mary was the driving force behind initiatives including the launch of Presbyterian’s Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans and bolstering the plan’s rural maternal health workforce to reduce disparities across the state.
“I am honored and humbled to be the recipient of the Bernard J. Tyson Health Equity Award for our efforts in service to the residents of our beautiful state,” said Mary Eden. “I share this recognition with my special colleagues who demonstrate a shared passion for improving the lives of New Mexicans.”
ACHP established the Bernard J. Tyson Health Equity Award in 2021 to celebrate individuals and organizations demonstrating exceptional commitment to advancing health equity in their communities. Read more about the award, including previous recipients, here.
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About ACHP
The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) represents the nation’s top-performing nonprofit health companies, which serve tens of millions of Americans across nearly 40 states and D.C. ACHP member plans collaborate with providers on high-quality coverage and care — leading the industry in practical reforms, including MA for Tomorrow, our vision for the future of Medicare Advantage.
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