Blue Shield of California Foundation Launches Groundbreaking Clinic Leadership Institute

Program Will Develop a New Generation of Leaders for California’s Community Clinics

San Francisco, September 6, 2007 – Blue Shield of California Foundation (BSCF) today announced plans to spend up to $10 million over 5 years to support its first signature project, the Clinic Leadership Institute, an innovative program that aims to identify and train the next generation of California’s community clinic leaders.

The Clinic Leadership Institute is being launched with an initial grant of $1.39 million, which was part of this year’s third quarter grantmaking. The funding will be used to recruit, select and train the inaugural class of 25 emerging clinic leaders. Those selected will learn leadership, decision making, financial management and strategic planning skills during the course of the 18 month Institute. The goal is to provide these emerging leaders with the skills to become effective change agents in today’s rapidly evolving healthcare environment.

"Community-based clinics today face a major leadership transition," said BSCF President and CEO Crystal Hayling. "Those who pioneered the community-based clinic movement had the vision to establish our healthcare safety net. As 70 percent of today’s community clinic leaders prepare to retire, the Clinic Leadership Institute will prepare a new generation to take the helm."

Community clinics are a vital part of California’s healthcare safety net. Today, more than 800 clinics throughout California provide healthcare services to nearly 3 million people, including 12 percent of California’s children and 37 percent of those living below the poverty level.

The Clinic Leadership Institute grows out of BSCF’s deep and longstanding commitment to supporting California’s healthcare safety net. Since 2003, BSCF has provided $29 million in core support funding to community clinics statewide.

"As a result of this program, we hope the next generation of healthcare leaders will be better prepared to serve the millions of Californians who rely on community clinics for the care they need to keep themselves and their families well," Hayling said. "We hope to build a learning network of clinic leaders."

BSCF selected the Center for the Health Professions at the University of California – San Francisco (UCSF) to develop and administer the Clinic Leadership Institute. Developed with input from California community clinic representatives, as well as regional and national experts in the field of leadership development, the Institute offers a comprehensive curriculum and hands-on training that addresses core competencies in:

Organization Values and Behaviors

Leadership and Decision Making

Strategic Thinking and Acumen

Business Acumen and Financial/Grant Management

Relationship Management

Diversity

Organization Improvement

Data Driven Decision Making

The Clinic Leadership Institute is now accepting applications for its inaugural class, with a deadline of October 31, 2007. Applicants will be recruited from every region of the state and will be representative of its full economic, social and cultural diversity. Those interested in more information should visit www.clinicleadershipinstitute.org.

Blue Shield of California Foundation is one of the largest health care grant-making organizations in California. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.blueshieldcafoundation.org. The Foundation was formed by Blue Shield of California, a not-for-profit corporation with more than 3.2 million members, 4,300 employees and 20 offices throughout California. For more information about the company, please visit www.mylifepath.com.