In the News

Joan Gelrud

Class of:  2009
Hometown: Lexington Park
County: St. Mary’s
Title/Company: Vice President for Quality, Regulatory and Risk, Kaiser Permanente, Mid-Atlantic States Region

Describe what your company does: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals is America’s largest not-for-profit health maintenance organization. Care to Kaiser Permanente Health Plan members is provided primarily through Kaiser Permanente owned and operated hospitals, medical clinics and physicians who are partners or employees of the Permanente medical groups. In the Mid-Atlantic Region, care is also provided through contracted networks of community hospitals, physicians and other providers. Kaiser Permanente is nationally and internationally recognized for providing innovative, high quality, coordinated and evidence based care.

Describe what you do in your role at the company:  In this position, I am responsible to provide strategic leadership for Kaiser Permanente to compete as the quality leader in health care. In behalf of the Health Plan, I have overall responsibility for ensuring the quality of care, treatment and services provided to members and patients. Quality includes clinical quality, outcomes and accreditation and also clinical risk management, peer review and credentialing. This position is responsible to leverage best practices across the region and in addition, oversees nursing practice across the Mid-Atlantic States along with regional education programs.

Describe your community involvement: A long time St. Mary’s County resident, I am a board member of the Community Development Corporation and the St. Mary’s County Social Services Board. I am a Democratic Central Committee member, elected in 2105 and a member of the Beth Israel Congregation. While at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, I was responsible for the Greater Lexington Park Health Enterprise Zone, which I believe is one of our finest accomplishments.

Favorite LSM memory: In the inaugural class, we were told that we would develop relationships that would last for all time. Initially, this seemed “far-fetched” to me. All of these years later however, I found that my colleagues in the first LSM class are absolutely friends forever. No matter where or when, if a class mate contacts me or vice versa, the response is immediate, warm and supportive. Though we’ve all gone different ways, the bond is unshakable and that is one of the many wonderful parts of the LSM experience.

P.S. I loved shooting a paintball gun behind the Sheriff’s department on law enforcement day too!

Favorite way to spend your free time/recharge: In my free time, I love the gym, am a daily runner, love travel, reading, Broadway shows and shopping!! I love spending time with my husband, children and our extended family.

Name a leader that inspires you: Many leaders inspire me and Karen Holcomb is at the top of the list. She is able to leap tall buildings and make it look easy. She is thoughtful, an excellent listener, outcomes oriented and turns goals into reality no matter what the obstacles may be.