[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1496-E1497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO KAREN CLARK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 1996

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, as president and CEO of Managed Healthcare 
Systems, Inc. [MHS], Karen L. Clark has pioneered the concept of 
community-based managed care in New York City. In leading MHS from its 
inception 2 years ago to its current position as the fourth largest 
provider of Medicaid managed care in the city, Ms. Clark has 
demonstrated that a minority-controlled and operated, for-profit health 
maintenance organization [HMO] can successfully deliver quality health 
care to residents of inner-city neighborhoods that

[[Page E1497]]

have traditionally lacked extensive medical and health services.
  With a mission to improve the quality of life for Medicaid recipients 
and other medically underserved citizens by elevating their health 
status, MHS, under Ms. Clark's stewardship, has designed a health plan 
that seeks to increase its members' utilization of services by helping 
them foster a relationship with a primary care physician, educating 
them about the importance of wellness and preventive care and offering 
them a series of creative outreach and case management programs.
  Ms. Clark brings extensive experience in health care management to 
MHS. A graduate of Rider College and the Columbia School of Business, 
Ms. Clark was senior vice president for Healthcare Management 
Alternatives [HMA], an innovative inner-city health plan in 
Philadelphia, from 1989 to 1993. At HMA, Ms. Clark was responsible for 
quality assurance, utilization review, and provider relations for 
approximately 85,000 residents of South and West Philadelphia.
  Prior to joining HMA, Ms. Clark served at Travelers Health Network of 
New York from 1987 to 1989, initially as director of operations and 
provider relations and then as executive director. As executive 
director, she was responsible for development and maintenance of the 
provider network for the Travelers' managed health care division in 
Metropolitan New York and northern New Jersey.
  Ms. Clark has also exemplified her pioneering spirit through prior 
positions with such companies as Whittaker Health Services, Interracial 
Council for Business Opportunity, Managed Health Plan, Health Insurance 
Plan of Greater New York, Manhattan Health Plan, and Lancaster & Co.
  As a shining beacon of hope, Karen Clark has made a difference 
through her tireless undaunted mission to improve the health of urban 
communities faced with diminished resources. I am pleased to introduce 
her to my House colleagues.

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