Wellmark CEO recognized for outstanding health care leadership by the National Institute for Health Care Management

DES MOINES, IA – The National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation and LLC (NIHCM) has honored John D. Forsyth, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield's chairman and chief executive officer, with the Uwe E. Reinhardt Outstanding Leadership in Health Care Award. The award was established by NIHCM in 2006 to recognize exceptional leaders who have made significant contributions to health care through public policy, industry, government, and humanitarian work.

"As our longest serving member, over 24 years, John's leadership was key to helping us build NIHCM into an evidence-based, expert informed organization that became a unique collaborative resource for Blue Cross Blue Shield CEOs, while remaining in the vanguard of health policy and business strategy," said NIHCM Founding President and CEO, Nancy Chockley. "He will be greatly missed."

Forsyth serves on the NIHCM board of directors and led as board chair from 2008-2011. Earlier this year, he announced his plans to retire from Wellmark at the end of 2020. He has led the mutual insurance company since 1996 and is the longest-serving Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO.

The Outstanding Leadership in Health Care Award is named for Uwe E. Reinhardt, a renowned health economist who served as an advisor to NIHCM from 1996 until his passing in 2017.