Health Net 2000 Annual Report Download - page 59

2000 Annual Report HEALTH NET 57
In Memory of
Karen A. Coughlin
February 2, 1948 — November 29, 2000
Karen A. Coughlin led Health Net, Inc.’s
Northeast Division from November 1998
to November 29, 2000.
In her two short years with Health Net,
Karen turned around Health Net’s Northeast
operations and was an important force in
creating one of the region’s leading health
plans. Prior to joining Health Net, Inc.,
Karen served a long and distinguished
tenure with Humana, Inc., where she worked
for 18 years in several executive positions.
Karen’s career in health care spanned more
than 30 years. She began her career at the
bedside, serving as head nurse of the
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Loma
Linda University Medical Center in
California. She also served as assistant
professor of Nursing for Minot State
University in North Dakota and as a staff
nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
for Cleveland’s Fairview General Hospital.
Karen touched many lives in her own unique
and passionate way, both inside and outside
of Health Net, and her legacy and spirit will
continue to live on for all who knew her.
Karen is survived by two children, five
sisters, two brothers, three grandchildren,
many nieces and nephews and her fiancé,
Lawrence O’Gara.
Mary Gilligan
March 5, 1959 — January 9, 2001
Mary Gilligan served as president and chief
executive officer of Health Net of Arizona
from January 2000 to January 9, 2001.
Mary was a seasoned health care professional
with more than 20 years of experience in
the health care industry. Prior to leading
Health Net of Arizona (formerly known
as Intergroup of Arizona), Mary served as
the chief operating officer of United-
Healthcare of Illinois, where she was
responsible for all aspects of commercial
and government operations.
From 1996 through 1998, Mary served as
senior vice president of operations for
Health Net of California. Prior to that,
Mary served in several executive posi-
tions for Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Washington, DC; Lifeguard, Inc.; and
Cigna Companies of Arizona. Mary
began her health care career at Saint
Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota
where she served as a Registered Nurse.
Mary put her own special touch on all she
did and brought a sense of energy and
family to Health Net of Arizona. She will
be missed for the person she was as much
as for the leadership she provided.
Mary is survived by her husband, James
Gilligan, and her daughter Jessica.