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The National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) has announced the recipient of its 2009 National Healthcare Leadership Award -- Denis A. Cortese, MD, president and chief executive officer of the Mayo Clinic. The award and recognition ceremony for Dr. Cortese will be held on November 4, 2009 in Chicago.

Dr. Cortese receives the NCHL award for his many noteworthy contributions to healthcare, particularly for his commitment to teamwork and mentorship while at one of the nation's leading healthcare organizations. He said, "The role for leadership in U.S. health care is wide open. Leadership is less about you or me and more about us, what we can accomplish by working together."



"Denis Cortese is applying his leadership to impact the national healthcare agenda by building nationwide consensus for patient-centered change, advocating for a system that ensures that all patients will receive outstanding quality care," said NCHL President/CEO Marie E. Sinioris.

Commenting on Dr Cortese's ability as a leader and teacher, Sinioris added, "His innovative tenure at Mayo Clinic has included cutting edge programs in information technology and medical records, using new discoveries in genomics to customize patient-specific treatment strategies, and emphasis on bedside nursing to improve patient care."

As a graduate of Temple University Medical School in 1970, Dr. Cortese completed his internship and internal medicine residency at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. While there he was a fellow in thoracic diseases and a clinical fellow in bronchoscopy. Dr. Cortese also served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Medical Corps for the U.S. Navy. Afterward, he joined the Mayo Clinic staff in 1976. Since then, Dr. Cortese has been widely published and has received many honors and awards.

Fawn Lopez is publisher of Modern Healthcare, co-sponsor of the NCHL National Healthcare Leadership Award. She said Dr. Cortese "has worked tirelessly and effectively to assert his leadership and influence to help frame the dialogue toward national healthcare reform. He sets a prime example for others to follow."

The NCHL, a nonprofit organization serving to assure accountable and transformational healthcare leadership for the 21st century, desires to optimize public health through leadership and organizational excellence.