The Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine is named in honor of Bernard J. Tyson, who built his career at Kaiser Permanente with a tenure of more than 30 years. Over the course of his career, he successfully managed nearly every major part of the organization’s health plan and hospital system, serving in roles from hospital administrator to division president to chief operating officer before being named chief executive officer (CEO) in 2013 and chairman of the board of directors in 2014.
He was a transformational leader in health care, health equity, mental health care, and addressing social and structural drivers of health whose influence was recognized worldwide. He understood that Kaiser Permanente’s work extended beyond our medical centers and into the larger community.
As chairman and CEO, Tyson championed major initiatives around making care and coverage more affordable for Kaiser Permanente's members and customers. He was an outspoken leader of Kaiser Permanente's efforts to address the social and structural drivers of health—such as access to food, transportation, and affordable housing—as a way to improve the health of individuals and communities. He was a passionate advocate of Kaiser Permanente’s holistic approach to care and working with clinicians he sought to transform Kaiser Permanente’s approach to mental health and wellness, focusing on new care models, mental resilience, medical research, and reducing stigma. Tyson was a powerful spokesperson for Kaiser Permanente’s commitment and efforts to address climate change and its effects on health.
Tyson believed everyone should have the ability to access high-quality health care and have the same opportunity for good health, and he challenged the health care industry to address the inequities in care that he saw in this country. Along with Kaiser Permanente's Southern California Permanente Medical Group leadership, Tyson was the driving force behind the creation of the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine and its aim to help redefine medical education and train physicians to be outstanding clinicians, committed patient advocates, and innovative leaders. The school’s board of directors decided to honor Tyson’s memory and accomplishments by naming the institution the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine shortly after his unexpected passing in November 2019.
Tyson dedicated much of his life and career to the mission of Kaiser Permanente. He was a formidable change agent and tireless champion of making high-quality health care more affordable and accessible for all. Through his work at Kaiser Permanente, his legacy will continue.
Credit: healthy.kaiserpermanente.org
