2023 Lifetime Achievement Award

Robert K. Ross, MD President and Chief Executive Officer The California Endowment

Robert K. Ross, MD, is President and Chief Executive Officer for The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation established in 1996 to address the health needs of Californians. Prior to his appointment in September 2000, Dr. Ross has previous experience as Director of Health and Human Services Agency in San Diego County and as Commissioner of Public Health in the City of Philadelphia. During his tenure as President & CEO at The California Endowment, Dr. Ross has provided leadership in supporting the vision of underserved communities and grassroots leaders for a healthier California and a healthier America.

Dr. Ross has been actively involved in community and professional activities at both the local and national level. He served as a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans; Co-Chaired the national Diversity in Philanthropy Coalition; and has served as a member of the California Health Benefit Exchange Board, the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Board, National Vaccine Advisory Committee, and on the boards of Grantmakers in Health, the San Diego United Way, and the Jackie Robinson YMCA. He is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pediatrics, served on the President’s Summit for America’s Future and as chairman of the national Boost for Kids Initiative. He was honored by the Council on Foundations as the Distinguished Grantmaker of the Year for 2008 and received the American Public Health Association’s highest award in 2020. Most recently he has been invited to serve as Stanford University’s Distinguished Visiting Professor for the 2023 academic calendar.