Kelly Bruno

Kelly Bruno is an experienced social service and health care executive, with 20 years of service in the non-profit sector. Currently the President and CEO for National Health Foundation (NHF), a 501(c)3 community-based nonprofit, Ms. Bruno leads a team of motivated professionals to address community needs by developing and implementing innovative, systemic solutions to gaps in the healthcare delivery system. In the last few years, the organization has narrowed its focus to address the health issues of underserved communities, with a priority on their social determinants of health and transition experiences in the healthcare system. Prior to her role as CEO, Ms. Bruno served as the Chief Operating Officer for three years and Vice President of Programs for five years. In those positions, she was responsible for designing and implementing programs that focus on healthcare system delivery change and insuring the uninsured population. One of her most significant contributions was leading the effort to develop a program in response to hospitals’ inappropriate discharge to the street of homeless patients. Beginning in 2007, Ms. Bruno guided a collaborative effort with the County of Los Angeles, public and private hospitals, and other local organizations to double the number of recuperative care beds available to homeless patients discharged from hospitals needing aftercare. Even more, Ms. Bruno was instrumental in creating fiscal sustainability for the program, funding 100% of the operations through contractual relationships with hospitals. NHF’s Recuperative Care Program continues today, fully self-sustaining, at two sites in Los Angeles County and third in development in Ventura County. NHF serves more than 750 clients each year and has estimated cost-avoidance for hospitals of more than $38 million dollars since its inception. In 2014, NHF received a James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award for its work on this project.

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