The Physicians Foundation, the nation’s leading nonprofit seeking to advance the work of practicing physicians to deliver of high-quality health care to patients, today announced the selection of Robert Seligson, MA, MBA, as chief executive officer (CEO). Seligson succeeds Tim Norbeck, who retired as the Foundation’s CEO after serving in the role for fourteen years.

“Physicians are the foundation of our health care system, so they must be empowered to influence the future of America’s health,” said Gary Price, MD, president of the Physicians Foundation. “Bob’s perspective is critical as the Foundation works to support physicians across the country who are facing new and mounting challenges. Now more than ever, it is imperative we equip our country’s physicians with innovative leadership skills.”

Seligson brings nearly 40 years of expertise serving and advocating on behalf of the medical community. He is currently serving as executive vice president and CEO for the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS), where he leads the state’s efforts in fostering health system innovation, physician leadership, safeguarding physician wellbeing and advocating for policies to improve patient outcomes.

Additionally, Seligson was the NCMS representative on the Physicians Foundation’s Board of Directors from 2006-2020 and the Foundation’s treasurer from 2007-2020. He also previously served as the President of the Physicians Advocacy Institute. A graduate of the University of Georgia, with a BSA in Economics, he earned an MBA from the University of North Florida and a Master of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies at North Carolina State University.

Under Seligson’s leadership, the Foundation will remain steadfast in its mission to elevate the voices of physicians and their patients by:

• Strengthening the physician-patient relationship
• Reducing the regulatory and administrative burdens placed on physicians
• Empowering physicians to care for their patients’ social needs inside and out of the exam room

“I look forward to continue focusing on the Foundation’s efforts to equip practicing physicians with the tools, resources and insights necessary to navigate today’s changing landscape,” said Seligson. “Even before the coronavirus began impacting our daily lives, physicians were facing a rapidly evolving health care system making the practice of medicine more difficult. If the coronavirus has shown us one thing, it’s that we need physicians to be in the driver’s seat of our health care system. The Physicians Foundation is critical to making sure that happens.”

In his fourteen-year tenure as CEO of the Foundation and throughout his nearly five-decade career, Tim Norbeck worked tirelessly to empower physicians as the foundation of health care. Prior to being elected CEO, Mr. Norbeck served as the Connecticut State Medical Society (CSMS) representative on the Physicians Foundation’s Board of Directors and has held leadership positions at the Rhode Island Medical Society and the CSMS.

“Under Tim’s leadership, the Foundation was committed to empowering all physicians to lead in the development of a patient-focused health care system, and I look forward to continuing that mission. His contributions have been integral to improving Americans’ health and the longevity of the Foundation’s work,” Seligson added.

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About The Physicians Foundation

The Physicians Foundation is a nonprofit seeking to advance the work of practicing physicians and help them facilitate the delivery of high-quality health care to patients. As the health care system in America continues to evolve, The Physicians Foundation is steadfast in its determination to strengthen the physician-patient relationship and assist physicians in sustaining their medical practices in today’s practice environment. It pursues its mission through a variety of activities including grant-making, research, white papers and policy studies. Since 2005, the Foundation has awarded numerous multi-year grants totaling more than $50 million. In addition, the Foundation focuses on the following core areas: physician leadership, physician wellness, physician practice trends, social determinants of health and the impact of health care reform on physicians and patients. For more information, visit www.physiciansfoundation.org.