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Ronald P. Burd, MBA, has been appointed to the newly created position of Executive Vice President for Strategy and Organization Development at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.   

“Healthcare delivery is an ever changing, evolving industry,” said Jefferson president and CEO Thomas J. Lewis.  “Ron Burd is the ideal choice to ensure that the Hospital, University and Health System joint strategic vision is achieved and that strategic plans currently in place remain relevant.  I am confident that Jefferson’s opportunities for continued growth and expansion will be identified and executed in the capable hands of Ron Burd.”

At Jefferson, Mr. Burd will be responsible for regional strategy, pursuing partnerships with healthcare providers and assisting with ongoing board development and philanthropic initiatives.

“Throughout my 35-year career in health and human services, I have been extremely fortunate to have been involved in organizations that are driven by a strong mission and value the people who deliver the care,” said Mr. Burd.  “Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is such an organization.  I have come here at an exciting time, and I am eager to assist Tom Lewis and his management team in realizing the vision for a strong future as the hospital completes its second century of exemplary service.”

Prior to joining Jefferson, Mr. Burd served as President and CEO of the Devereux Foundation.  In this position which he held for 20 years, he guided Devereux to become the nation’s largest not-for-profit network of community-based services to children, adolescents, and adults with behavior, emotional or development difficulties.

During his 20 years of leadership, Mr. Burd helped Devereux grow from:

• 2,000 to more than 15,000 individuals and families served annually 
• Facilities located in eight states to 12 states, plus the District of Columbia 
• A staff of 2,500 to 6,000
• An operating budget of $53 million to $350 million
• A net worth of $7.5 million to $114 million 
• Annual philanthropic support of less than $500,000 to $14 million

Since 2004, Mr. Burd has been President Emeritus of The Devereux Foundation. 

In 2004, Mr. Burd was honored when the Devereux board renamed the National Training and Meeting facilities to the Ronald P. Burd Education and Conference Center.  Additionally, the Ronald P. Burd 21^st Century Fund for Excellence and Innovation, which raised $2.1 million, was established by the Devereux Board of Trustees.  

Mr. Burd was the Image Award Recipient presented by “Educating Children for Parenting” in 1999.

Prior to his appointment at Devereux, he held a number of progressively responsible positions at hospitals and healthcare organizations in the New England region.

From 1964 to 1968 Mr. Burd earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.), in Cambridge, Massachusetts, graduating on the Dean’s List.  Mr. Burd then attended the Sloan School of Management, at M.I.T., from 1968 to 1970, where he received his Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Organization Development, graduating Magna Cum Laude. 

Mr. Burd has actively participated in numerous committees over his career.  Since 2003, he has been on the Board of Advisors for The World President’s Organization (WPO) Foundation.  Other committees include Child Welfare League of America, Young President’s Organization, American Association on Mental Retardation, American Orthopsychiatric Association, American Public Health Association, and Trustee, Massachusetts Committee – Arts for the Handicapped, Inc., Chairman of the Corporate and Foundation Development Campaign.    

From 2005 to 2006, Mr. Burd enjoyed a well deserved life sabbatical.  He received a Captain’s License from the United States Coast Guard.  He then led and actively participated in the restoration of a 1984 Bristol 45.5 foot sailing vessel called Romance.  Mr. Burd served as the captain of Romance, crewed by his wife and friends of 40 years, for a 12 month, 8,000 mile journey from Maine to the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean.