Bernadine Healey Dead At 67

Cross-Posted from The NonProfit Times Website

Bernadine Healy, M.D., a controversial chief executive who ran the American Red Cross from 1999 through 2001, reportedly died Saturday from complications of a brain tumor. She was 67. Healy’s tenure at the Red Cross was delayed as she sought treatment for a brain tumor.

Healy was CEO when the September 11 attacks hit. The organization was criticized for its advertising for financial and blood donations and subsequently changed its advertising practices. She also clashed with board members and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies officials with regard to what she viewed as unequal treatment of chapters in Israel.

A New York City native, she was the first female director of the National Institutes of Health, appointed to the position in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush. An internist and cardiologist by training, she also served as dean of the College of Medicine at Ohio State University from 1995 to 1999.

The American Red Cross released a statement on its website: “The American Red Cross is saddened by the death of Dr. Bernadine Healy, who led the Red Cross response in the hours after 9/11, the worst terrorist attack in our nation’s history. During her brief two-year tenure as President and CEO, Dr. Healy worked tirelessly to initiate reforms in key Red Cross programs. When she left the organization in October 2001, it had improved its ability to respond to domestic and international disasters and was better equipped to ensure the safety and adequate supply of the nation’s blood. Dr. Healy was known to all Red Crossers for her vision and her compassion under the most challenging circumstances, and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.”

A funeral in Cleveland is slated for Wednesday. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Floyd Loop, a former chief executive officer of the Cleveland Clinic, and daughters Bartlett Healy Russell and Marie McGrath Loop. Burial will be in West Lafayette, Ind.

The Red Cross Jumps on the Charlie Sheen Bandwagon

It didn't take long for the American Red Cross (ARC) to take advantage of actor Charlie Sheen's newfound popularity.  After the organization used a Twitter 'hash-tag' that was inspired by Sheen's now legendary internet rantings, ARC found itself in the middle of the entertainment train wreck.

On March 2nd, ARC posted the following tweet on its official Twitter account:

We may not collect #tigerblood, but we know our donors & volunteers have fierce passion for doing good! #RedCrossMonth

It's amazing what adding popularity can do for a simple "thank you" tweet.  Soon after the tweet hit the internet, it was re-tweeted by more than 100 people, and it became the third result when you clicked #tigerblood on Twitter trends.

Wendy Harmon, director of Social Media at ARC, did have some explaining to do, however.  Although the tweet was popular, it also caused some outrage among the community.   In fact, the original tweet was soon removed, and a blog post was put up to apologize for it.  In explaining what happened, Harmon said the organization noticed #tigerblood was trending fast on Twitter, so it was spontaneously used in that tweet (which was meant to thank blood donors).

To micro-breweries across the country, however, the apology was not needed.  They were among the organizations that re-tweeted the original message, and they even suggested to their followers that they donate to the Red Cross.  Donors heeded this message, apparently, as ARC said they saw a slight increase in their overall donations.