Praveen Thadani, president of Priority Health, a nationally recognized nonprofit health plan serving more than 1.3 million members, has received national recognition for his efforts to advance equity and inclusion.

Thadani has been named as one of Modern Healthcare’s Diversity Leaders for 2024. The Diversity Leaders Award program honors health care executives and organizations working to further equity and inclusion at their organizations and in the overall industry. This year, 25 executives from across the country were selected.

“Integrating DEI principles into our operations ensures a more inclusive and culturally competent approach to health care and we know the impact of this work positively affects our members and the communities we serve,” said Thadani. “I am deeply humbled and honored to be included alongside so many outstanding leaders and organizations.”

Thadani is being recognized for several initiatives, including:

• The Priority Health Culture & Diversity Council, established to assist in developing a pipeline of diverse and inclusive talent and retaining and developing a more diverse workforce to help drive value and innovation.
• Supporting unconscious bias training, part of comprehensive cultural competency training designed to foster a safe, equitable and inclusive environment for everyone.
• Placing facility dogs in two Michigan schools to support mental health for more than 1,400 students.
• Fostering partnerships with 168 organizations, including awarding 53 grants through the Priority Health Total Health Foundation, totaling $4.1M to nonprofits in Detroit. Funds address systemic issues that contribute to poor health outcomes.

“Praveen has championed DEI and health equity initiatives throughout his 25+ years in the health care industry to reduce health inequities and address systemic societal issues that impact individual and community health,” said Joyce Chan Russell, senior vice president of government markets at Priority Health. “Priority Health is a sought-after health plan because it is driven by a responsibility to ensure good health is within everyone’s reach.”