B’nai B’rith International is proud to announce Irene M. Thompson, president and CEO of the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) as recipient of the National Healthcare Award, which has recognized outstanding leaders in the health care field for more than 30 years. A gala award dinner will be held in her honor on June 22 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Chicago.

For three decades, B’nai B’rith has underscored the outstanding work of health care leaders and corporations that set the standards for health and education initiatives. The standards set by these distinguished professionals ultimately betters the lives of people throughout their communities and around the world.

“Irene Thompson’s resume in the health care field is one of the most extensive I’ve encountered while bestowing this honor. Her career and community involvement are nearly unmatched by her peers. It gives me great joy to confer the National Healthcare Award on Irene,” B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said.

As president and chief executive officer, Thompson is responsible for the overall operation of UHC. Under her leadership UHC’s membership has grown significantly to 117 academic medical centers and nearly 330 of their affiliated hospitals. UHC represents the majority of the nation’s nonprofit academic medical centers to help them improve clinical, operational and financial performance.

Thompson is a member and the immediate past chair of the American Heart Association Midwest Affiliate Board of Directors and a member of the American Heart Association National Corporate Operations Committee. She also serves on the boards of directors for America’s Essential Hospitals and the National Center for Healthcare Leadership. Previously, Thompson served as board chair for UHC and for the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Council of Teaching Hospitals and Health Systems. She was president of the Kansas City, Kan., Chamber of Commerce and has served on numerous other community not-for-profit boards. In 2013 and 2007, Thompson was named one of Modern Healthcare Magazine’s Top 25 Women in Healthcare.

“With her current position overseeing UHC and all of its affiliates, combined with her work at the American Heart Association and a number of other non-profits, it’s clear that Irene Thompson is truly a leader in the field of health care. Not only is her track record impressive, but the number of leaders in her field endorsing her with the announcement of this award speaks to how deserving a recipient she is,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said.

The recipients of the B’nai B’rith National Healthcare Award have shown a history of dedicated leadership and outstanding civic involvement in the health care field and in the broader community. Award winners support philanthropic causes benefiting health, youth, seniors and education programs.

Photos are available upon request.

To learn more about University HealthSystem Consortium, visit https://www.uhc.edu/.

Click here to learn more about Irene Thompson’s distinguished career.   

The standards set by these distinguished professionals ultimately better the lives of people throughout their communities and around the world.

“Solid leadership and dedication to the community are the hallmarks of Rich Umbdenstock’s outstanding career, and we are pleased to honor him with the National Healthcare Award. As the leader of an organization with a mission ‘to advance the health of individuals and communities,’ Rich understands the vital link between healthy individuals and thriving communities,” B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said.

Umbdenstock leads an organization intrinsically linked with the history of heath care in this country. With nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems and other care providers in its network, the AHA’s impact on health care is significant. A published author on health care topics, Umbdenstock is a recognized and respected voice on health care in America.

“We are especially pleased with the American Hospital Association’s long history of recognizing the unique health needs of seniors. B’nai B’rith has long been a strong advocate for seniors. We are the largest national Jewish sponsor of low-income housing for seniors, and we are committed to life-long access to affordable, dependable health insurance. B’nai B’rith and the AHA share the same values when it comes to healthy aging and its impact on a healthy society. That is what makes Rich Umbdenstock such a supremely accomplished and deserving recipient of this award,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said.

The recipients of the B’nai B’rith National Healthcare Award have shown a history of dedicated leadership and outstanding civic involvement in the health care field and in the broader community. Award winners support philanthropic causes benefiting health, youth, seniors and education programs.

To learn more about the American Hospital Association, visit www.aha.org.