Carol Emmott Ph.D.

Carol Burgess Emmott, Ph.D.

11/11/1946

Carol Burgess Emmott, partner at Russell Reynolds Associates, died peacefully at her home in Hillsborough, California on February 25 at the age of 68, in the arms of her loving husband. Carol was born and raised in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where she met husband of 45 years, Dr. Cameron Emmott, in high school. They were soul mates in all endeavors with particular devotion to their son, Parker Emmott.

Carol graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1969 with a double major in History and Political Science. In 1975, while working for the California Senate Pro Tem George Moscone, she earned her Ph.D. from Oklahoma University in Health Policy, studying California Legislature through UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies.

After completing her Ph.D., Carol contributed to the health policy research agenda of the Institute for Health Policy Studies at the University of California, San Francisco. After her tenure at UCSF, Carol accepted a Political Appointment in Washington D.C. working under Joseph A. Califano, then Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. During her tenure there she managed a third of the health care legislative agenda for the Carter Administration.

Carol returned to California as Chief Deputy Director of the State Health Department, working under then Director Beverlee Myers. She was later the Deputy of the San Francisco Department of Public Health under Diane Feinstein, contributing to response to the AIDS epidemic and challenges to California's health care safety net.

Carol's work on behalf of California's public safety net facilities led to her found and serve as CEO of the California Association of Public Hospitals. During her long tenure at CAPH, Carol and her colleagues were successful in bringing billions of dollars of state and federal funds to help support California's health care safety net, most importantly gaining passage of legislation that enabled the rebuilding of the majority of these vital facilities.

After 15 years in federal, state, and local health policy, Carol complemented her career by contributing to private sector health care through senior level executive recruiting. During the course of her 25-year career in executive search, Carol was a partner at three of the top four international recruiting firms: Spencer Stuart, Heidrick & Struggles, and Russell Reynolds Associates. Carol's last 10 years were dedicated to building and leading the Health Services Practice at Russell Reynolds Associates. Carol was successful in recruiting many of the top leaders in American health care, across a broad swath of the industry, including academic medical centers, major health plans, significant health systems, and prominent health policy positions.

Carol's dedication to executive development is reflected by her leadership colleges, in California and Massachusetts, and her CEO/Innovator's Roundtable. Devoted to her professional colleagues, Carol focused especially on mentoring the emerging young women leaders across the industry. The recent creation of the Carol Emmott Fellowship will stand as a testament to her commitment of furthering women in the health care industry.

Carol was deeply devoted to her beloved family. Cameron, her husband of 45 years, was the love of her life. Having met in high school, the couple were soul mates in all endeavors, and were particularly devoted to their only son, Parker Emmott. While Carol was a dedicated wife and professional, she was an even more dedicated mother - always prioritizing her connection to Parker, his friends, and his evolution as a unique and talented individual, above all else.

Carol was predeceased by her parents, Robert Banks Burgess and Mary Gary Bedwell. She is survived by her husband, Cameron, her son, Parker, her sister, Betsy Wright, and many other beloved family members and friends.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Church in Burlingame, California on March 27, 2015 at 4 p.m. followed by a reception at the Burlingame Country Club.

Carol's family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be sent to the Carol Emmott Fellowship, a program designed to increase the number and stature of female leaders in the health care industry. For more information about this fellowship and instructions on how to give, please visit http://www.carolemmott.org.