JULIE GOONEWARDENE NAMED PUBLIC TRUSTEE OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
NEW ORLEANS – Julie Goonewardene, associate vice chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship for the University of Kansas, was elected today to the American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees at the organization’s semi-annual policy-making meeting. Ms. Goonewardene is the third person to ever to hold this position
“Ms. Goonewardene is a motivated, innovative and creative professional who brings together groups across the health care spectrum to develop new solutions to existing medical issues,” said AMA Chair Robert Wah, M.D. “Her experience and enthusiasm will play an important role in fulfilling the AMA’s mission to help physicians help patients.”
Ms. Goonewardene brings to the board 28 years of experience in higher education and technology, including experience transitioning medical innovations to the marketplace. In addition to her role as associate vice chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Kansas, Ms. Goonewardene is also president of the University of Kansas Center for Technology Commercialization and a professor of practice at the School of Business. She oversees and manages commercialization, ventures and industry outreach for the University of Kansas, including their school of medicine.
Prior to her work at the University of Kansas, Ms. Goonewardene was the director of business development, Purdue Research Foundation & Discovery Park at Purdue University. One of her major successes at Purdue was the formation of their first philanthropic venture capital fund. She also led business formation based on intellectual property for Purdue University, including Discovery Park, a $400 million multidisciplinary research center.
Ms. Goonewardene previously worked in technology consulting and strategy. She graduated with honors from Purdue University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in general management. She later received a Masters of Science in health communication from the same institution.
“It is an honor to be named to the AMA’s Board of Trustees. I look forward to supporting physicians and patients as we work on our nation’s health care challenges,” said Ms. Goonewardene.
The AMA first voted to add a public member to its Board of Trustees at its Annual Meeting in 2001. Ms. Goonewardene will begin her four year term at the conclusion of the AMA Annual Meeting in June 2012. She replaces Christopher Kay, who has served on the board since 2008.
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Media Contact:
Liz Magsig
AMA Media Relations
(202) 789-7419
elizabeth.magsig@ama-assn.org
About the American Medical Association (AMA)
The American Medical Association helps doctors help patients by uniting physicians nationwide to work on the most important professional, public health and health policy issues. The nation’s largest physician organization plays a leading role in shaping the future of medicine. For more information on the AMA, please visit www.ama-assn.org.
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