Partnership for a Healthier America Announces Board Chair Transition
April 27, 2020
WASHINGTON, DC – The Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) today announced that after a decade of leadership as Chairman of the Board, James R. Gavin III, M.D., Ph.D. will become Chair Emeritus and Peter Dolan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Tufts University and former Bristol-Myers Squibb Chairman and CEO, assumes Chairmanship of the PHA Board.
“Dr. Jim Gavin has left an immeasurable impact on PHA in its mission to transform the food landscape in pursuit of health equity. We are all grateful for his service,” said Peter Dolan, Board Chair, PHA. “As we look ahead to the next 10 years for PHA, the foundation is laid to continue building on partnerships, across sectors, to transform our nation’s food supply and health opportunities for the better.”
PHA was founded in 2010, in conjunction with former First Lady Michelle Obama, to reduce the impact of diet-related disease, including obesity, on children and families throughout the country. One-in-three children in the US is overweight or has obesity, which is fueling increases in diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. By leveraging the power of the private sector, PHA is working to transform the food landscape in pursuit of health equity.
“It has been a remarkable privilege to help steer PHA as Board Chair since its founding in 2010. We have helped move the needle on obesity and other diet-related diseases through partnerships across sectors,” said James R. Gavin III, M.D., Ph.D., Chair Emeritus, PHA. “Having served with Peter Dolan on the PHA Board, I know that this organization is in expert hands moving into its second decade of creating impact across this nation.”
Dr. Gavin is a widely respected academic and entrepreneur in the medical community. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and past President of the American Diabetes Association. Through his decade of service as Board Chair for PHA, he has contributed his deep knowledge of childhood obesity-related illnesses and the policy and environmental influences that contribute to childhood obesity, guiding the strategic direction of the organization.
Mr. Dolan, too, has played a leadership role in combating obesity, including as chair of Tufts University’s Child Obesity 180. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Tufts University and was previously the Chairman and CEO of Bristol-Myers Squibb. Throughout his career, Mr. Dolan has served on the boards of multiple for-profits and not-for-profits, including the American Express Company and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.
“PHA is extraordinarily fortunate to have one strong, experienced leader succeed another with Peter Dolan taking the helm. He brings a wealth of experience that will help guide PHA as it moves into its second decade,” said Nancy E. Roman, President and CEO, PHA. “Dr. Jim Gavin’s influence is built into the very DNA of the PHA. Our entire organization, our partners, and our funders owe him a debt of gratitude for his dedication and service.”
About Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA)
PHA’s mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to transform the food landscape in pursuit of health equity. In 2010, PHA was created in conjunction with Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! effort. PHA identifies, accelerates, and celebrates voluntary business practices that improve or increase choice or lead to new norms and behavior around food and physical activity. For more information about PHA, please visit www.ahealthieramerica.org and follow PHA on Twitter @PHAnews.
Contact: Andrew Brenner: abrenner@ahealthieramerica.org