Mary Ann Barnes began her career as a nurse and, over the past 43 years, has risen through the ranks from care provider, to administrator, to president of Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, the largest health maintenance organization in the state. As president, she oversees Moanalua Medical Center, 21 medical offices and clinics across the four major Hawaiian Islands, and more than 4,400 employees serving 250,000-plus members in Hawaii.

Under her leadership, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has seen an all-time high in membership and member satisfaction, as well as some of the highest cancer screening rates in Hawaii. The organization’s Medicaid, Medicare and commercial health plans are consistently rated the highest in Hawaii and a top plan nationally.

Most recently, she spearheaded Kaiser Permanente’s successful bid to operate Maui County’s three state-run hospitals in the first public-private partnership of its kind. The transfer to Kaiser Permanente’s affiliate, Maui Health System, will improve access to affordable, quality care for Maui County residents.