AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in Medicaid-managed care and other health care solutions for those most in need, has announced the appointment of Karen Dale to the newly created position of Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer.
Dale, who joins the CEO’s Executive Council, will report directly to CEO and Chair Paul Tufano.
“Karen’s proven leadership will help will set us on a course to further align diversity, equity, and inclusion with every aspect of our business, including strengthening our culture, our relationships with providers, suppliers, and vendors, and promoting greater health equity for our members,” Tufano said. “Karen also brings valuable perspectives and a passion for advocacy to this role. Her track record in developing partnerships and building consensus, both internally and externally, to achieve common objectives with lasting impact will ensure she is successful.”
In her new role, Dale, a registered nurse, will be responsible for leading the planning and execution of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the organization.
Dale will retain her current role as market president for AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia, the largest Medicaid managed care organization in Washington, D.C., leading an ethnically diverse membership of more than 120,000 enrollees who speak six different languages.
Prior to leading AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia, Dale served in several senior executive management roles in government, the social sector and health care.
“Doing this kind work — linking diversity and inclusion with measurable business and cultural outcomes — requires both courage and compassion. I am grateful for this opportunity to lead an important initiative that matters to me personally and professionally,” said Dale, who earned a master’s degree in psychiatric mental health nursing from The Catholic University. “Times such as these call for listening and introspection, as well as action. I am committed to facilitating conversations to create new perspectives and open hearts and minds and ending the systemic racism that permeates the fabric of this country.”