After a career dedicated to opening doors to care for those who need it most, Ghita Worcester, received a 2018 Courage Award from the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST.

Ms. Worcester is Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Chief Marketing Officer of UCare, a not-for-profit health plan that provides health care and administrative services to more than 400,000 members in Minnesota.

Courage Awards celebrate Minnesota women and companies in health care who demonstrate courage to help transform the health care industry. UCare says that Ghita Worcester was nominated for working to return UCare’s service to state public program members.

A networking reception and dinner is to be hosted at the 2018 TRUST Forum this week, at The Minneapolis Convention Center. The forum is hosted by the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST and will recognize the 2018 Courage Award winners.

“Ghita has helped lead UCare through a remarkable turnaround. Her commitment to UCare’s members never wavered, even when facing great challenges. She earned this award for her concerted efforts over an impressive career of ensuring access to community-based health care for Minnesotans of all ages and circumstances.” – Mark Traynor, UCare President and CEO.

Ghita Worcester has more than 35 years health care management experience. UCare says in her current work, she provides strategic direction for marketing, provider relations and contracting, business development and strategy, public relations, legislative, regulatory, government programs and community outreach activities.

“Ghita Worcester oversees the federal and state health care reform efforts and policy formulation related to national and state health policy issues. She is a champion of health equity and has been instrumental in the development and implementation of UCare’s strategic and operational plans.”

Before joining UCare, Worcester served as Director of Policy and Operations for the University Affiliated Family Physicians (UAFP), the management company that started UCare in 1984.

This is not the first award for Worcester. In 2015, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal recognized her with a Women in Business Award.