Kaiser Permanente chairman and CEO Bernard Tyson, 60, dies unexpectedly
Tyson, who rose through the ranks from intern to the leader of the Oakland-based health care giant in a career that spanned 35 years, died unexpectedly in his sleep, the company said. The cause of his death was not disclosed.
"Bernard was an exceptional colleague, a passionate leader, and an honorable man. We will greatly miss him," Kaiser board member
Tyson, became Kaiser's CEO in 2013 and was named chairman in 2014, leading the nonprofit foundation that operates integrated managed care, hospitals and regional medical groups in
Tyson, who was named to Time's 100 Most Influential People List in 2017, was the first
"(A) champion for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans, Bernard was a tireless advocate for
As CEO, Tyson was an outspoken advocate for racial equity, both in health care and in the world of business, often noting the racial disparities in care but also the everyday struggle of being a black man in America.
He sparked a national conversation about race in 2014 after he wrote an article centered around the shooting of
"You would think my experience as a top executive would be different from a black man who is working in a retail or food service job to support his family," Tyson wrote. "Yet, he and I both understand the commonality of the black male experience that remains consistent no matter what the economic status or job title."
He was vocal in his support of the Affordable Care Act, telling the
Tyson had just given a talk on health care technology Saturday, hours before he died. His sudden death reverberated across
Tyson remembered as 'compelling leader'
"Bernard's vision and influence made an impact at home and abroad, and he led with excellence on behalf of millions of Kaiser patients and thousands of employees," Newsom said. "We will always remember how he made health care accessible for so many while paving the way for countless professionals of color to pursue leadership roles in health care and corporate America."
Young, who was once appointed by Tyson to serve on the board of
"He was a beacon for
"So sad to hear of the passing of
"Bernard's vision and laser focus on increasing access, quality and affordable health care coverage for all has helped transform Kaiser and had a positive impact on the entire health care system," Lee said in a prepared statement. "He truly 'walked the talk' in his concern for making health care not just a right, but something that is affordable and centered on the great diversity of patients. "
Kaiser's board of directors named executive vice president
"The board has full confidence in
The nonprofit organization, founded in 1945 in the
A five-day strike planned by the
'I've always had this calling'
"My mom was sick from diabetes, so we were in hospitals a lot, and I decided I wanted to run my own," he told Bloomberg. It was those tough times in
"I've always had this calling," he told the San Francisco Business Times in 2015, remarking how his childhood experiences were influenced by "wonderful people in white coats who genuinely acted like they cared for my mother."
Tyson graduated from
"I got my MBA in health service administration and got to see the hospital worldview," he told Bloomberg in 2015. "Everything happens there, from birth to death. You see all the emotions."
Shortly after, Tyson would begin his 35-year relationship with
In 1992, he was named CEO of the foundation's hospital in
"We had a very aggressive growth plan outside of
After three years as the company's president and chief operating officer, he was named CEO of
"It's funny, in my career at
Tyson is survived by his wife, media executive and entrepreneur
The Bee's
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