Business Health Council
taps Allen

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Star-Bulletin staff

The Hawaii Business Health Council, a coalition of local businesses interested in improving Hawaii's health care system, has named Gary Allen as its first executive director.

Allen, who has 33 years of experience in the health care industry, including 15 in Hawaii, will be responsible for administering the council's day-to-day operations and carrying out its overall mission.

William Chung of Young Brothers Ltd., president of the council's board of directors, said, "Gary's financial and accounting background in health care provides a unique blend of valuable perspectives in the health care arena."

Allen most recently was president, chief executive officer and founder of E-Storage Inc., providing management consulting in operational and financial areas.

He held previous positions as director of provider services at Hawaii Medical Service Association, chief financial officer of Pali Momi Medical Center, and among posts in Illinois was president and CEO for a health care consulting firm.

The Hawaii Business Health Council was formed informally in the early 1980s by human resource professionals at various corporations who were concerned about quality health care for their employees and rising health care costs.

It represents about 24 midsize and large local corporations and about 52,000 employees and dependents.

Allen said the council is committed to improving the quality and cost of health care for employers and employees.

He said employers in a national survey said they believe employee involvement in managing their own care will have the greatest impact on health care costs, and the council is working on an initiative that encourages employees to accept responsibility for their health.

"Another initiative is with providers to improve Hawaii's health care delivery system," he said.

Council officers, besides Chung, include Julie Price of Hawaiian Electric Co., secretary; Ramona Sayre of Alexander & Baldwin Inc., treasurer; and Patty Foley of Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, past president.

Directors are Iris Matsumoto of First Hawaiian Bank, Maryanne Inouye of Kamehameha Schools and Pauline Lo Bailey of Punahou School.

The Hawaii Business Health Council is affiliated with the National Business Coalition on Health, which has 90 members representing 7,000 employers and 34 million employees.

More information may be obtained from Allen, 372-9576, or the Web site www.hbhc.biz.