New MedicAlert Head Combines Science, Business

John Holland
The Modesto Bee
April 26, 2004

MedicAlert Foundation's new president is educated in both biology and business, and he says they will fit together in his job.

Paul Kortschak, who took over as president and chief executive officer April 19, said MedicAlert can play a role in dealing with diseases that are costing lives and money.

The organization, founded in Turlock in 1956, provides emergency workers with information about the chronic conditions of its 4 million members around the world. Such information can mean prompt treatment of ailments and avoidance of deadly drug reactions.

Kortschak said the job is a natural progression in a career spent mostly in developing diagnostic tools.

"The mission here is exactly the same -- it's to save lives," he said in an interview Friday at the foundation's Colorado Avenue headquarters. "We have more than 110 employees here who are really passionate about serving that mission."

Kortschak, 47, succeeded Tanya Glazebrook, who resigned in January after nine years in charge. Board member Buddy Henry was the interim chief.

Kortschak said MedicAlert is carrying on despite the pending trial of Glazebrook and two other people on charges of using the foundation's credit cards for more than $400,000 in personal purchases.

He said he has had individual meetings with the employees but none has mentioned the court case.

"Everyone is focused on looking forward," he said. "Everyone is positive. Their desire really is to help people."

Kortschak said MedicAlert, known for the bracelets and pendants that list key medical facts for members, has "fantastic name recognition."

"If you mention MedicAlert to anyone, almost all of them have heard of it," he said. "What they don't know is the tremendous service beyond the bracelet."

Among them, he said, is a 24-hour call center where nurses can provide information to emergency workers around the world. MedicAlert also alerts designated relatives or friends if members suffer injuries or illnesses while traveling, and it serves as an identification system for children and elderly people who get lost.

Kortschak said he looks forward to technological improvements, such as implanting microchips with medical information in the bracelets and pendants.

He also said he would like students at nearby California State University , Stanislaus, to look to MedicAlert for internships and permanent jobs.

Kortschak most recently was chief operating officer at Kriscan Holdings Inc., in Danville , where he provided guidance on management of health care organizations.

Before that, he was vice president of diagnostics at AusAm Biotechnologies and held senior positions at Fisher Scientific and Bio-Rad Laboratories.

He has master's degrees in business administration from Pepperdine University and life sciences from North Carolina State University , as well as a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of California at Davis .

"Paul's extensive experience in marketing and vast knowledge in the health sector will be crucial in the advancement of one of this nation's largest membership-based, not-for-profit organizations," wrote Dr. Dighton Packard, chairman of the MedicAlert board.