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Health care heros.

Article Excerpt
As health care woes loom across the nation, it's now more important than ever to recognize individuals who are committed to keeping us, and the overall industry, healthy. Utah Business magazine is proud to present the 2009 Health Care Heroes. Each honoree has proven time and time again a passion for health care. Some have literally healed our bodies, others have brought a bit of sunshine into dark moments and some are corporations creating innovations that are paving the way toward a healthier tomorrow. Though each honoree brings something unique to the health care table, they all exemplify a devotion and passion to improved health care. Join Utah Business as we give thanks to some of Utah's real life heroes bettering our health and our lives.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Linn J. Baker

CEO (Retired)

Public Employees Health Program

"National health care reform is inevitable, those that look for opportunities in this new health care system will be rewarded, and those that resist the changes will struggle with success" says Linn J. Baker, Public Employees Health Program (PEHP) founder and recently retired CEO of 31 years. Baker knows a little bit about success and health care, as he helped develop the State of Utah's self-administered health, dental, life and long-term disability programs. "Every American needs to understand the importance of having affordable, quality health care for all citizens," says Baker, who is well-recognized for his efforts in achieving just that. Baker does and has served on a number of advisory boards and committees, including helping the Utah Department of Health develop the "Healthy Utah" program and founding the National State and Local Government Benefits Association, which named its lifetime achievement award after him. Though retired, Baker remains committed to health care and has recently been involved with comprehensive health reform for the state.

Brent C. James, M.D.

Executive Director of Intermountain Institute for Healthcare Delivery Research

Intermountain Healthcare

From Idaho farm boy, to physics student, to computer scientist, to statistician to medical doctor, Dr. Brent C. James has left footprints everywhere from working on the original eight computers of the Internet to helping develop the cardiovascular, oncology and women and newborns clinical programs at IHC. James has focused on quality improvement, and is recognized throughout the world as a medical expert and inspiration, receiving numerous awards and participating in national and worldwide advisory positions. Health reform, James says, "is already well underway, and tar past the tipping point. Utah was one of the major spark points. We continue to lead." And James has led through founding the Intermountain Institute for Healthcare Delivery Research, a program that has trained more than 2,000 health care professionals in clinical practice improvement. In addition to his leadership in health care, his peers know James as kind, charismatic, humble, a humanitarian and a seeker of truth.

Paul H. Robinson. M.D.

General Surgeon and Medical Director

American Fork Hospital

From practicing a mixture of surgery and family medicine in a portable trailer behind the old American Fork hospital to becoming general surgeon and medical director there, Dr. Paul H. Robinson has seen a lot change in medicine over the past 30 years. But one thing has remained constant: his tireless efforts to ensure his patients receive the best care--even if it meant weeks and months of being on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, filling in for other medical professionals while they were at war or calling patients while on his few vacations. Robinson follows his own advice to future doctors perfectly. He says, "work hard and learn all you can during your training, so that you can give the highest standard of quality care to every patient you treat. Then go...

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