Tom Gart Begins Tenure as Chairman of National Jewish Health Board of Directors

Calling it a crucial time of transition for National Jewish Health, Colorado business leader Tom Gart will bring his management and business skills to bear when he begins his tenure as Chairman of the National Jewish Health Board of Directors on Friday, October 16.

Gart becomes Chairman as National Jewish Health celebrates its 110^th anniversary, and is almost three years into a 10-year strategic plan. For the past 12 years National Jewish Health has been named by US News & World Report as the best respiratory hospital in the nation.

"Most people know National Jewish Health as a world-class medical institution, but we also have to think of it as a $180 million business that needs to do well financially in order to continue doing well for society," said Gart.

Gart has been President of The Gart Companies, which comprise Gart Properties, Gart Capital Partners and Specialty Sport Ventures, since 1993. He started his business career at Gart Brothers Sporting Goods Company, a family owned and operated corporation founded in 1927 by his grandfather. He graduated with honors from Stanford University, where he was co-President of the student body, and received an MBA from Harvard University.

Gart has been on the National Jewish Health Board of Directors since 1995, and has served as chair of the Finance Committee and Investment Committee. Gart also served on the search committee that hired current President and CEO, Michael Salem, MD, in early 2006. He takes over from Denver attorney Steve Arent, who led the Board for the past three years.

"Tom brings tremendous business skills, knowledge of the institution and great  involvement with the Colorado community, which will truly benefit National Jewish Health as we continue to serve Colorado and the nation," said Michael Salem, MD, President and CEO of National Jewish Health.

One of Gart's top priorities is to continue execution of the strategic plan adopted in 2007, which commits National Jewish Health to a major expansion, the development of preventive and personalized medicine, integration of clinical and research efforts, and reduced reliance on donations to cover operating expenses.

In support of that plan National Jewish Health has doubled the size of its faculty, while expanding into new areas of care and research including cardiology, lung cancer and gastroenterology. It has also opened The Institute for Advanced Biomedical Imaging®, the Minimally Invasive Diagnostic Center and the Advanced Diagnostic and Proteomic Laboratories. It has also begun providing intensive care services to local hospitals, a national weight-management program, and expanded tobacco-cessation programs into seven states.

"Our patient growth, expanding clinical services and new lines of business are moving us in the right direction," said Gart. "As an independent academic medical center with limited state support, we must continue moving forward with our strategic plan to increase recurring revenue streams and build our endowment."

Gart also serves on boards of The Nature Conservancy, First Western Trust Bank, Beth Nehamah Hospice and Shalom Park. He and his wife, Margie, have three children. He is a passionate skier, fly fisherman, marathoner and Iron Man competitor.