Brenda Battle appointed to American Red Cross Regional Board
Brenda Battle Appointed to American Red Cross Regional Board
October 5, 2015
Brenda Battle, RN, BSN, MBA, University of Chicago Medicine's vice president for care delivery innovation and chief diversity and inclusion officer, has been appointed to the American Red Cross' Board of Directors for the Chicago & Northern Illinois region. The three-year term began this summer.
Battle joins seven other new members who are part of a board that includes more than 30 civic and corporate leaders from a range of professional backgrounds for the region that serves 9.5 million people in 21 counties in Northern Illinois. The volunteer board is led by Chairman Grant Hellwarth, a Partner at PwC in Chicago. A full list of members can be found at redcross.org/il/chicago/about/leadership.
"Brenda's years of experience in academic health services add a valuable perspective to our Board of Directors," said Fran Edwardson, CEO of American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois. "She is a great addition to our leadership team that serves the community through our humanitarian services and programs."
Battle joined the University of Chicago Medicine in 2012. In her role, Battle is responsible for facilitating integration of care between the hospital and community. She leads the Urban Health Initiative, the university's community-facing brand through which population health initiatives, research, patient care, and community benefit are executed in collaboration with community health centers, schools and other organizations. Battle also spearheads efforts to develop and implement culturally sensitive care delivery models, as well as promote health equity, diversity and inclusion.
"I am honored to be part of an organization known for its compassionate mission and with a rich history of helping the community," Battle said.
Battle has more than 33 years of health care experience. Prior to joining the University of Chicago Medicine, Battle was the director of the Center for Diversity and Cultural Competence Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Prior to her work at Barnes-Jewish, Battle held corporate positions at Medical Transportation Management Inc., SureCare Inc., Blue Cross Blue Shield of St. Louis, Mo., and Prudential Health Care Plan. Battle began her health care career as a pediatric registered nurse.
In addition to the Red Cross, Battle is a board member of CommunityHealth and UChicago Medicine's South Side Healthcare Collaborative. She has served on numerous other boards throughout her career.