New Endowed Research Fellowship Honors Dr. Dexter Shurney's Leadership in Health Equity
Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO), in partnership with Ardmore Institute of Health (AIH), Blue Zones, and Bon Secours Mercy Health Foundation, has announced the establishment of The Dexter Shurney, MD Well-being Fellowship by HERO, a new endowed research fellowship dedicated to integrity, healthy lifestyle, and equity. The fellowship celebrates the ongoing leadership and legacy of Dr. Dexter Shurney, MD, MBA, MPH, who currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Health Officer for Blue Zones and Chair of HERO's Board of Directors.
Dr. Shurney has spent his career pioneering innovative approaches that bridge healthcare systems, workplace wellness, and community health. As Chief Medical Officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Healthways, Chief Medical Director for Cummins, Inc., and through faculty appointments at Vanderbilt University where he directed the Employee Health Plan, he has consistently championed the idea that true health equity requires changing the environments where people live, work, and receive care. His leadership, from chairing Tennessee's Diabetes Prevention and Health Improvement Board under Governor Phil Bredesen to leading the CDC's National Diabetes Education Program Business Strategies Committee and serving as President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, has transformed how organizations think about prevention and population health. Board-certified in Preventive Medicine, Public Health, and Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Shurney is a fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and co-author of "Integrating Wellness into Your Disease Management Programs."
AIH, Blue Zones, and Bon Secours Mercy Health Foundation have provided initial funding for the endowment. The partners are actively seeking additional inaugural support to reach the $100,000 fundraising goal that will enable 3-4 annual research awards for researchers, clinicians, policy analysts, and community-engaged scholars working to reduce financial barriers to healthcare and advance health equity.
Click here to contribute to the endowment.
"I am deeply honored and grateful to HERO and the inaugural benefactors—Ardmore Institute of Health, Blue Zones, and Bon Secours Mercy Health Foundation—for committing to this research that will keep health equity and access at the forefront of research for workforce health and well-being,” said Dr. Dexter Shurney. “For the many years that I've been associated with HERO, it has been emblematic of what a true research organization should look like—without fear or favor, going about the job of understanding what works and what doesn't, with integrity. It is my hope that this fellowship will lead to transformation of our healthcare system and resolve barriers to access that prevent so many from achieving optimal health outcomes."
