CalPERS Veteran Promoted to Chief of Health Plan Administration

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 1 -- The California Public Employees Retirement System issued the following news release:

The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) announced the appointment of Kathy Donneson as Chief of the Office of Health Plan Administration. Donneson is responsible for overseeing contract management and plan development for CalPERS Health Maintenance Organization plans, its three self-funded health plans, the three law enforcement association plans and the CalPERS Long-Term Care Program. She will report to Health Benefits Branch Interim Assistant Executive Officer Kim Malm.

Donneson joined CalPERS in July 2002 and has served as the Assistant Chief in Health Policy and Program Development for more than seven years. She was instrumental in the development of the health plan rate strategy and actively participated in the contract development for each of CalPERS health plan partners. Donneson is also Co-Director of the National Health Care Reform Task Force, which is responsible for ensuring CalPERS complies with the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Donneson holds a Doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, a Masters of Public Administration degree from the University of San Francisco, and a Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences) from U.C. Davis. She also serves as a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves Medical Service Component.

"Kathy was the most qualified candidate, and her prior CalPERS experience will help us maintain internal program stability and demonstrates our commitment to succession planning," said Kim Malm, Interim Assistant Executive Officer of the Health Benefits Branch.

TNS 23SQ-JF78- 100902-2983556 StaffFurigay