The Next Chapter

In January, I’ll become the first chief executive of a new foundation created to advance innovative solutions for mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. It is an exciting next chapter in my lifelong commitment to the health of people and place, to equitable opportunity, and to social justice rooted in the inherent dignity of all life.

In a time of transition, during this season of grace, gratitude, and generosity, I want to share thoughts about my choice, point you to a few resources, and invite you to join me in courageous conversation. 

My Choice: As a social entrepreneur for more than thirty years, my vocation has been to advance human flourishing through the building of healthier, more inclusive, and equitably prosperous communities. Most recently at Kaiser Permanente, I’ve led efforts to bring the “total health” aspiration to fruition by applying all KP assets and activities (e.g., hiring, purchasing, impact investing, policy advocacy) to benefit the economic, social, and environmental determinants of health.

Now, I am embarking on a new path alongside Providence St. Joseph Health, a not-for-profit health and social services system with a rich heritage of courageous compassion, especially for those who are poor and vulnerable. With Providence St. Joseph Health’s initial contribution of $100 million — part of a much larger commitment to these themes — we will engage with other health systems, philanthropies, and national and community organizations as partners.

Together, we will establish what will become an independent foundation dedicated to improving mental health and wellbeing in the U.S. The Institute for Mental Health and Wellness will convene like-minded activists and pioneers in this space, including Maureen Bisognano, president emerita of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, who will serve as founding advisory board chair.

At the start of the New Year, I will assume my role with the Institute from my adopted home in Oakland, California, where we’ll open an office for the new foundation. Through a whole-person, mind, body, and spirit approach driven by collaboration, I believe we can help expand access to effective care and services and create measurably healthier communities.

Resources: In light of this transition, I updated my website with articles and books, as well as references to a number of organizations that are doing important work for the wellbeing of our nation and world. This includes recent writings on the role of health systems as anchor institutions; clinic-to-community integration; and on the need to foster “behavioral pharmacies” — care interventions rooted in the power of kindness, compassion, and community. I welcome you to explore these resources and join in conversation on how we can evolve health and health care in the context of community.

Invitation: Please join the conversation here around these three questions:

• What brings you health and wellbeing in mind, body and spirit?
• What do you see working and not working -- for increasing access to care for mental/behavioral/emotional health? And for ensuring that our communities support human flourishing across the lifespan? 
• What can and will you do to bring love and joy to those around you today?

It is my hope that these types of conversations engender new ideas and welcome oft-unheard voices on our path towards health for all. May we walk this walk together. May we walk it with our beloveds. And most important, may we walk it side-by-side with “the other” in a spirit of respect, looking again with fresh eyes. 

In this season of celebration with friends and family, remember that whatever may divide us, that which connects us is greater still.

Always, Tyler Norris, M.Div.