August 24, 2020
Catherine Hernandez named chief communications officer
Hernandez to lead enterprise communications for Kaiser Permanente.
OAKLAND, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente announced that Catherine Hernandez has been named senior vice president and chief communications officer for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals.
As chief communications officer, Hernandez will lead Kaiser Permanente’s corporate brand and reputation, internal and external communications, media relations, issues management, executive communications, and digital and social media. As a member of the National Executive Team, she will serve as a key advisor to the chairman and chief executive officer on enterprise communications strategy and programs. The role reports to the KFHP/H executive vice president and chief administrative officer.
“The role of communications at Kaiser Permanente has never been more important given the changes affecting health care, our members, and our communities,” said Greg A. Adams, chairman and chief executive officer. “Catherine has an impressive track record as a communications executive and Kaiser Permanente leader. She is strategic, highly collaborative, and brings the vision and commitment needed as we advance our mission in this new environment.”
Hernandez will collaborate closely with functional and operational leaders across the organization, including regional communications and marketing leaders, to maximize and coordinate communications and brand strategies and programs enterprisewide.
With more than 30 years of communications and marketing experience, Hernandez has held several communications leadership roles throughout her 17 years at Kaiser Permanente. She has overseen communications for numerous significant strategies, ranging from the launch of Kaiser Permanente’s electronic health record system, to acquisition and integration of the organization’s Washington Region, to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Before joining Kaiser Permanente, Hernandez served in marketing and communications roles at Macy’s, Internet Pictures Corporation (iPIX), and Vanstar. She also served for 4 years on the executive board of NO MORE, a global initiative dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault. She is a member of the Communications 50 and the Public Relations Society of America. Hernandez holds a bachelor’s degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
About Kaiser Permanente
For 75 years, Kaiser Permanente has been committed to shaping the future of health and health care — and helping our members, patients, and communities experience more healthy years. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Since July 21, 1945, Kaiser Permanente’s mission has been to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.
