Linda Schwimmer, CEO and president of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, has been elected as the new board chair of the Leapfrog Group, which Wednesday announced the election of its new board officers.
Schwimmer, previously the national health care safety and quality watchdog organization’s vice chair, has served Leapfrog in various capacities including as regional leader for New Jersey and New York. She leads the Quality Institute’s mission for safe, equitable and affordable health care.
As chair, she succeeds Michelle Martin, vice president of total rewards experience at Paramount, who served as Leapfrog chairperson since 2022.
Other officers elected are:
- Vice Chair: Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, principal, RCB Consulting LLC
- Treasurer: John Zern, CEO and president, Ryan Specialty Benefits
- Secretary: Sally Welborn, adviser, Welborn Advisory Services
The organization also said two new members were named to its board:
- Ellen Kelsay, Business Group on Health
- Carole Hemmelgarn, Patients for Patient Safety U.S.
“There is no organization that has made more of an impact on patient safety at the national level than the Leapfrog Group, so it is an honor and a true challenge to take on this role. We have made progress, but so much work is ahead of us to enhance the safety and quality of health care across the nation. I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated board members and Leapfrog leadership to drive meaningful change,” Schwimmer said. “I want to thank my predecessor, Michelle Martin, for her terrific leadership positioning Leapfrog as a high-growth, high-impact organization.”
