NEW: Chafee Names Kathleen Hittner Health Insurance Commissioner
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Kathleen C. Hittner, MD, has been named by Governor Lincoln Chafee to the position of Health Insurance Commissioner.
“Dr. Hittner is a widely respected medical professional with decades of relevant experience in Rhode Island’s health care industry,” Governor Chafee said. “Commissioner Koller – the nation’s first Health Insurance Commissioner – has performed with distinction and is leaving big shoes to fill. I am confident that in Dr. Hittner we have found a highly capable and knowledgeable candidate to lead this important office in the years to come. Lieutenant Governor Roberts and I look forward to working with Dr. Hittner to continue leading the nation in the implementation of federal health care reform and making quality health care more affordable and accessible for Rhode Island families and employers.”
Health Insurance Commissioner
“The Health Insurance Commissioner is a critical role for businesses, for health care providers and for the future of our health care system,” said Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts. “I applaud Governor Chafee’s appointment and welcome Dr. Hittner to the health care team. Rhode Islanders can look forward to her leadership as together, we work to reshape the health care system to improve the health of Rhode Islanders while managing costs for businesses and families.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTKathleen Hittner, MD
Dr. Hittner earned a BS from Albright College and an MD from Tufts University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in clinical anesthesiology in 1976 at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. She went on to a long career in Anesthesiology culminating in her being Chief of Anesthesiology at both Roger Williams Medical Center (1993-2000) and The Miriam Hospital (1996-2000). Dr. Hittner was President of Miriam’s Medical Staff from 1998 to 2000 and served as President and CEO of the Miriam Hospital from 2000 to 2009, during which time she also served as President of The Miriam Hospital Foundation.
Dr. Hittner has been on the faculty of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University since 1979, where she is currently Clinical Professor of Surgery in Anesthesiology. She was the recipient of the School of Medicine's “Distinguished Teacher Award” in 2000 and 2004. She was active in a myriad of professional societies and has held officer positions in many of them, serving as the first female President of the Rhode Island Society of Anesthesiologists (1988-1990) and the Rhode Island Medical Society (1991-1992). Dr. Hittner completed the requirements to be certified as a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives in 2007.
Dr. Hittner has been active in community and business organizations as an advocate for improving the health and economic status of Rhode Island citizens. She served on the Boards of the Rhode Island Insurance Brokerage Corporation (1992-2000) and Rhode Island Sound Enterprises Insurance Co. (2000-2012).
In 2004, Senator Jack Reed recognized her as a Local Legend in Rhode Island for her accomplishments as a woman physician. Dr. Hittner’s many awards and recognitions include the Business Women Award for Health Care Leadership from the Providence Business News; the Bryant University Businesswoman of the Year Award; the 2007 Physician of the Year Award from the Rhode Island Medical Society; and the 2007 Banice Feinberg Physician of the Year Award from the American Heart Association, among many others.
Dr. Hittner’s husband, Barry, served as Director of the Department of Business Regulation (DBR) from 1995 to 1999 under Governor Lincoln Almond.
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