Press Release

Business Group on Health Recognizes United Airlines with Helen Darling Award for Excellence in Health Care Value and Innovation

Issued by Business Group on Health

Apr. 9, 2024

Cited for Commitment to Quality in Benefit Programs, Novel Approaches to Health Benefits, Driving Value in Health Care 

TUCSON, Arizona -- Business Group on Health today honored United Airlines with its prestigious Helen Darling Award for Excellence in Health Care Value and Innovation, specifically for its leadership in driving value in health care, novel approaches to health benefits and commitment to prioritizing quality in its benefit programs. 

“We are thrilled to present United Airlines with this well-deserved honor,” said Ellen Kelsay, president and CEO of Business Group on Health, who made the announcement today at the Business Group’s Annual Conference in Tucson. “We applaud your outstanding approach to health care and employee benefits, as well as your continued focus on patient experience, access to high-quality providers in places where people disproportionately experience the social determinants of health, and facilitating integration and collaboration among your partners.” 

Richard Mayes, managing director for Health and Wellness at United Airlines, said, “Quality health outcomes are essential for both our people and our business. This award reflects our team’s focus and wins in helping United team members navigate the complex health care world and access quality care in every community we serve.” 

The Helen Darling Award, named for a former president & CEO of Business Group on Health, recognizes an outstanding employer with a comprehensive, innovative program and purchasing strategy that promotes efficient and cost-effective use of health care resources, supports movement toward value in health care purchasing and program evaluation, demonstrates a track record of enhancing the employee health experience, and deploys value principles in health care purchasing. 

Previous winners include The Walt Disney Company, General Motors, Boeing, Cerner Corporation, Costco and Walmart, among others. 

About Business Group on Health 

Business Group on Health is the leading non-profit organization representing large employers’ perspectives on optimizing workforce strategy through innovative health, benefits and well-being solutions and on health policy issues. The Business Group keeps its membership informed of leading-edge thinking and action on health care cost and delivery, financing, affordability and experience with the health care system. Business Group members include the majority of Fortune 100 companies, mid-sized companies, as well as large public-sector employers, who collectively provide health and well-being programs for more than 60 million individuals in 200 countries. For more information, visit www.businessgrouphealth.org.

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