Joint Commission International Announces Change in Leadership

The Joint Commission has announced that its long-time president and chief executive of Joint Commission Resources and Joint Commission International will be leaving the position on July 1, 2010.

Karen H. Timmons has headed up the organizations since 1999. Since that time Joint Commission International has developed a presence in 90 countries and currently accredits facilities in 41 countries.

Joint Commission International is also a part of the World Health Organization's Collaborating Centre for Patient Safety Solutions.

"Karen has provided excellent leadership for JCR and JCI and for The Joint Commission for the last 34 years," said Joint Commission President Mark R. Chassin, MD, in a prepared statement. "She and her team have guided JCR and JCI through dramatic growth that has helped these organizations earn reputations as worldwide leaders in helping healthcare organizations prosper by improving quality of care and patient safety. We are grateful for her service and her commitment."

The Joint Commission has brought in Paula Wilson to act as interim head of Joint Commission Resources and Joint Commission International. Wilson previously was vice president for policy at the United Hospital Fund. A member of the faculty at the Wagner School of Public Service at New York University, Wilson is also a member of the board of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation and serves on the finance committee of the Saint Mary's Center, Inc.