Inside Two Worlds
By Cathy K. Eddy
Serving on the boards of a hospital system and its health plan offers a unique governance perspective
My journey as a student of governance began 10 years ago when I attended a course on board best practices. As president of the Health Plan Alliance in Irving, Texas, I thought this would be a good way to enhance my communication with my own board, which is made up of C-level health plan executives.
In 2005, I joined the Presbyterian Health Plan board, which is part of Presbyterian Healthcare Services, an integrated, nonprofit system of hospitals, a health plan and a medical group in Albuquerque, N.M. Becoming a trustee gave me the opportunity to see board dynamics from the other side and taught me the importance of thoughtful, intentional board composition and meeting design.