STATEMENT OF RECORD
OCTOBER 6, 2022
Media Contact:
For Public Health Management Corporation
Jessica Sharp, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PHMC Announces the Retirement of Dr. Richard J. Cohen as President and CEO
After 42 years in his role, Dr. Cohen will transition his focus to leading the Public Health Fund, PHMC’s foundation
PHILADELPHIA – Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) announced President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Richard J. Cohen will retire at the end of this calendar year after nearly five decades of steadfast leadership. Recognized nationally as an authority in the public health arena, Dr. Cohen has held the position of President and CEO since 1980 – 42 of the agency’s 50-year history. He will transition to the Public Health Fund (PHF), PHMC’s foundation, where he will continue his leadership role in advancing the Fund’s mission to support PHMC and the collective work of public health across the Greater Philadelphia region.
As the leader of one of the largest and most comprehensive public health agencies in the country, Dr. Cohen has led with the singular focus to create and sustain healthier communities and achieve positive outcomes for the region’s most vulnerable. He has been a key influencer, thought leader and visionary in transforming public health by broadening its definition and scope; integrating services to best meet the needs of individuals, families and communities; and establishing groundbreaking partnerships that prompt cross-sector collaboration and public health innovation.
PHMC’s work is grounded in science, using best practices and evidence-based guidelines in partnership with government, foundations, businesses and community-based organizations. PHMC addresses social determinants of health through direct service, intermediary services, and research and evaluation. PHMC currently employs more than 3,000 people and provides services to hundreds of thousands of individuals annually through its family of programs and subsidiary organizations. PHMC’s broad array of services includes programming across several distinct areas: Health Services, Addiction Services, Mental Health Services, Community Engagement, Child Development and Family Services, Health Promotion Services, Nurse-Led Care, Child and Family Social Services, Research and Evaluation, and Special Education Programs and Support Services.
“Richard is a visionary leader who has helped innovate the field of public health and nonprofit management,” said Sam Patterson, Chairperson, PHMC Board of Directors. “Under his profound leadership, PHMC’s operating budget has grown to $500 million and the organization produces an annual economic impact of $986 million across Pennsylvania. At a time when PHMC celebrates 50 years of public health work, we are enormously proud of and grateful for Richard’s steady leadership and clear vision. His impacts will be felt for generations to come.”
Among Dr. Cohen’s many significant contributions is the recent opening of the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar, an innovative and integrated public health campus developed in partnership with Penn Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Independence Blue Cross Foundation. His focus on location-based services is also evidenced PHMC’s transformative new multi-program space at 4601 Market Street. Additionally, Dr. Cohen established the Pennsylvania and Delaware Public Health Institutes, created the PHMC Health Network integrating physical and behavioral health and social services and initiated a multitude of public/private partnerships. Professionally Dr. Cohen has contributed to more than 30 publications and conference presentations locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Nationally, PHMC’s Research and Evaluation Group improves the health of communities by producing timely, effective data that clients across the country use to inform public health solutions. Dr. Cohen’s commitment to sound fiscal and organizational management has helped more than 20 nonprofits continue to provide critical health, human and social services through strategic affiliations with PHMC, resulting in increased service delivery to populations most in need.
Dr. Cohen has held board leadership roles in many distinguished organizations that include the American Public Health Association, Social Current, Evident Change, Pennsylvania Public Health Association, College of Physicians of Philadelphia, American College of Health Care Executives, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and Penn Medicine.
The Executive Committee of PHMC’s Board of Directors has engaged Diversified Search Group to help identify PHMC’s next leader and is working closely with PHMC executive management to ensure a seamless transition.
About PHMC
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities. PHMC uses best practices and evidence-based guidelines to improve community health through direct service, partnership, innovation, policy, research, technical assistance, and a prepared workforce. PHMC has served the region since 1972. For more information on PHMC, visit www.phmc.org.
###
