2008 Annual Membership Meeting

More than 375 members attended Group Health Cooperative's 61st Annual Membership Meeting and pre-meeting health fair on Oct. 11, 2008. The meeting was packed with presentations, informational forums, and recognition for staff and members. Results of the candidate elections for the Group Health Board of Trustees and the Standing Nominating Committee chair were announced.

President and CEO Scott Armstrong gave his annual report to the membership in which he stressed the organization's strengths in the face of current economic instability:

• Strong enrollment growth in 2007 and so far in 2008
• Financial performance that is on plan
• Positive news in customer service measures such as surveys, the J.D. Power and Associates recognition, and "Top Doc" notices in several publications
• Recognition for quality — Group Health was ranked as the very best Group Practice in Western Washington this year by the Puget Sound Health Alliance

Armstrong also took time to talk about the challenges ahead.

Guest speaker Len Nichols, PhD, director of the Health Policy Program, New America Foundation, spoke on "Health care reform: Can health coverage be expanded to all Americans?"

A Group Health leader panel discussion, "How is Group Health improving quality and controlling costs?" followed, featuring Ric Magnuson, executive vice president and chief financial officer; Mike Soman, MD, president and chief medical executive of Group Health Permanente; and Brenda Bruns, MD, executive medical director, Health Plan Division. Members had the opportunity to question leaders in an audience Q & A session following the presentations.

Candidate Election Results

In the Group Health Board of Trustees elections, incumbents Ira Fielding, MD, Phyllis Best, and Bob Margulis were re-elected. Tracy Garland was elected to her first term. Their terms will begin Jan. 1, 2009 and will end Dec. 31, 2011.

Stuart Grover, running uncontested, was elected as the chair of the Standing Nominating Committee of the Membership.

Governance Recognition Awards

Outstanding achievements by members and staff were honored during the 2008 Governance Recognition Awards segment of the meeting.

The Cooperative Achievement Awards for members went to:

• Bruce Baker for his efforts to make it easier for members in the network to participate in governance activities.
• Peter Davis for his fundraising efforts and sponsorship of the Partnership for Innovation and childhood immunization programs.
• Jean Muir for her leadership contributions as chair of the Standing Nominating Committee of the Membership and participation on the Downtown Leadership Advisory Group and Emerging Issues Advisory Council.

The Cooperative Spirit Award for staff was presented to the project support team for the READ (Reading Early Affects Development) project: Judy Haughian, Julie Hixson, Fred Kassab, MD, and John Dunn, MD.