FARGO, N.D. — Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) announced today that Pam Gulleson has accepted the position of Vice President of Public Affairs. Gulleson will assume the responsibilities of the newly-created position in January at the company's Fargo headquarters.
"Pam brings extensive experience in legislative policy, strategy and allied health education – together with a strong track record for building bipartisan relationships – that will be critical to our advocacy on behalf of our members." said Paul von Ebers, president and chief executive officer of BCBSND. "We are very pleased to announce that Pam is joining our leadership team."
In this new position, Gulleson will oversee the corporate advocacy strategy, working with the Government Relations team, and will have both state and federal responsibilities. Gulleson will draw on both her public sector experience and health industry experience. She served in the North Dakota State House of Representatives for 16 years, as chief of staff for North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan for nine years, and ran for the U.S. House of Representatives for North Dakota in 2012.
"I am very pleased to be joining Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, especially at such a critical time in health care in our country," Gulleson said. "I am looking forward to working with such a significant leader in health care in North Dakota, and drawing from my health care and public policy experience to find solutions for North Dakota."
Gulleson received her undergraduate degree at North Dakota State University, Fargo, majoring in nutrition and education and has also completed master's coursework in Public Policy Administration from the North Dakota University System and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. She worked as a licensed nutritionist for the Sargent and Ransom County Public Health offices in North Dakota for nearly 20 years, leading the development and delivery of nutrition and preventive health programs and served as the director of nutrition programming. As director of allied health programs for the North Dakota State College of Science, she established the Allied Health outreach training program at the Skills and Technology Training Center in Fargo and developed alternative delivery programs for allied health training, including online, video and satellite delivery formats. She has also served on the board of directors for the River Valley Research Corridor and the Center for Native American Youth, Suicide Prevention Program.
Since 1980, Gulleson has been a partner in a North Dakota ranching and farming business with her husband.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
BCBSND is a member-owned, not-for-profit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. As North Dakota's largest provider of health care coverage, BCBSND is taking BOLD steps to collaborate with doctors, hospitals, clinics and members to ensure affordable access to quality health care in the state. To learn more about BCBSND, visit www.BCBSND.com.
