Dr. John D. Welty, president of California State University, Fresno, has been elected to a three-year term on the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) California board of directors.

“We are very excited to have Dr. Welty join our board and look forward to adding his unique perspective on our state’s most pressing health care issues, with his particular expertise on the Central Valley,” said Dr. Mark D. Smith, president and CEO of the Oakland-based health care philanthropic organization.

Smith said Welty, who has led Fresno State since 1991, brings to the board a deep understanding of the issues in a region facing some of the greatest health care challenges in the state and nation.

“I am honored to have been selected to join the CHCF Board,” said Welty. “CHCF has been seeking to improve the lives of all Californians, especially the underserved. It will be a great challenge for me.”

In his 21 years as president of Fresno State, Welty has helped create and build the Central California Health Policy Institute, which brings together university resources with local professionals, agencies and organizations to improve the health and welfare of local citizens.

He also led the creation of the Fresno Business Council, the Central Valley Business Incubator, the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Fresno Area Collaborative Regional Initiative, Fresno Regional Jobs Initiative and Kenneth L. Maddy Institute, whose focus is public affairs.

Welty’s national activities include service as a Western Association of Schools and Colleges commissioner and a three-year term as the association’s commission chair.

He received his bachelor’s degree in social science from Western Illinois University, Macomb; his master’s in college student personnel services from Michigan State University; and his doctorate in administration of higher education from Indiana University, Bloomington.

The California HealthCare Foundation supports ideas and innovations that improve quality, increase efficiency and lower health care costs.

For more information, visit www.chcf.org.