The Authority Health Board of Directors has named Loretta V. Bush, MSA, president and CEO of Authority Health, effective May 1, announced Gail Warden, Chairman of the Authority Health Board. Ms. Bush will replace Chris Allen, who has served as president of Authority Health since its inception in 2004, who will retire on April 30.
“I am pleased to announce that Loretta Bush will be our new president and CEO,” Gail Warden said. “Her extensive experience in public health practice and administration makes her an excellent candidate to lead our organization in the next phase of its history. She has impressive background addressing the complex health issues of the uninsured, underinsured and vulnerable populations.”
Ms. Bush has served as chief executive officer of the Michigan Primary Care Association, which represents community health centers throughout the state.
Prior to this position, Ms. Bush served as Group Executive/Health Officer for the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion and the Department of Health Services, Director of Public Health/Health Officer for the Wayne County Department of Public Health, Director of the Division of Health, Wellness and Disease Control, Michigan Department of Community Health, and Administrator of the HIV/AIDS Programs for the City of Detroit Health Department.
Ms. Bush has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science Degree in Health Service Administration from Central Michigan University.
She has completed fellowships with the Detroit Chamber of Commerce Leadership Detroit, National Association of City and County Health Officers, and Michigan Public Health Leadership Institute.
Among her awards, Ms. Bush has received the Recognition Award for “Cover the Uninsured”: presented by the Wayne County Health and Human Services & Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Harriet Tubman Award for Outstanding Service on Behalf of Women, presented by the Detroit Chapter of the National Organization for Women; the Spirit of Detroit Award; the Leadership Award, from the Michigan Women and AIDS Committee, and the “Outstanding and Innovative Leader in the field of HIV/AIDS Education,” presented by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
She is a member of the American Public Health Association, has served as Chair of the Voices of Detroit Initiative, and been Co-Chair of the Authority Health Population Health Council.