Arizona Department of Health Services Director Susan Gerard has been honored with a Health Care Leadership Award by AzBusiness Magazine.

The selection was announced Wednesday night at an awards banquet. Director Gerard was picked as the honoree for Community Outreach. Other finalists were James W. O’Neill, M.D., pediatric ophthalmologist with Arizona Pediatric Eye Specialists, and James Washington, Director of School-Based Health Clinics, Abrazo Health Care.

“I am gratified that the hard work of the people at the Department of Health Services is being recognized,” said Director Gerard. “This award is for all of the employees who work day in and day out to protect and improve the health of all Arizonans.”

Appointed state health director by Gov. Janet Napolitano in April 2005, Director Gerard oversees one of the largest and most complex state agencies, with a budget of nearly $2 billion and a workforce of 2,000 employees.

“Susan has been our advocate when no one else was willing to lead a difficult charge,” said Betsey Bayless, CEO of Maricopa Integrated Health Systems, in nominating Director Gerard for the award. “She has an ability to rise above the partisan and ideological fray, to work with leaders at all levels of government, and to improve the lives of people she serves.”

Before joining ADHS, Director Gerard was Gov. Napolitano’s health policy adviser. She chaired both the House and Senate Health Committees during her remarkable political career from 1988-2002. She authored, co-authored or led the fight for every major piece of healthcare legislation that has become law in Arizona for nearly 20 years.