Lott Named New Chairman of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

Dec. 16, 2011 - PRLog -- LOS ANGELES - James Lott was named chairman of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, one of several changes announced at this month’s Board of Trustees meeting.  

Mr. Lott replaced M. Roy Wilson, M.D., who announced during the meeting that he has accepted an executive role with the National Institutes of Health, the nation’s primary agency for conducting biological and medical research.

Dr. Wilson, previously a dean in the College of Medicine in the mid-1990s, returned to  Charles R. Drew University in September 2010 to become president and chairman. He retired previously last year as chancellor emeritus at the University of Colorado Denver.

Mr. Lott, a long-serving board member at the University, said he hoped the trustees’ would continue to build upon the momentum that Dr. Wilson established.

“We will continue to work diligently so that the University flourishes in its role of providing medical graduates and research that benefits the medically underserved,” said Mr. Lott, who is executive vice president of the Hospital Association of Southern California. “In today’s economic climate, our mission is as vital as ever before.”

David M. Carlisle, M.D., Ph.D., president of Charles R. Drew University, said he was eager to work with Mr. Lott, whom he has known for years, as well as the other trustees. “Our board under Dr. Wilson’s leadership made tremendous strides and with Jim as chairman, our success is certain to continue.”

The new chairman will be working with a pair of new board members, who bring vast experience in health care and the public and public sectors.  

Teresa J. Berryman spent a large portion of her career serving the University of Colorado. Most recently, she was vice chancellor at the University of Colorado Denver where she managed an annual budget of more than $1 billion, overseeing finance, budget, information technology services and several other departments. She currently serves on the board of the Denver School of Science and Technology for Denver Public Schools.

Howard A. Kahn is chief executive officer of L.A. Care Health Plan, a position he has been holding for more than a decade. The organization is the nation’s largest public health plan with nearly one million enrolled members.

Mr. Kahn also has held leading roles with CIGNA International, as senior vice president for Latin America and Global Health, and at Aetna, where he was vice president and general manager of governmental managed care and managed health operations throughout the United States. Mr. Kahn also was the founding president and chief executive officer of The California Wellness Foundation.    

Another trustee, Diana M. Bontà, also announced her departure from the board after accepting new professional duties. Dr. Bontà, formerly vice president of public affairs at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, recently was appointed president and chief executive officer of The California Wellness Foundation. The organization, one of the state’s largest providers of grants, is a private independent foundation that focuses on improving health statewide.

While welcoming the new trustees, Mr. Lott expressed his gratitude for those ending their tenure, and praised their dedicated commitment to the University. “I can’t thank them enough for their service,” he said.

Visit www.cdrewu.edu for more news about Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

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A university devoted to producing health professionals for serving the underserved with excellence and compassion, and to conduct research focused on eliminating health disparities.