William C. Richardson

Template:Short description William Chase Richardson (May 11, 1940 – May 18, 2021)<ref>Nancy Kercheval, "Hitting the Books," Warfield's, November 20, 1991, p. 28</ref><ref>"In Tribute – Honoring the life and legacy of influential leader Dr. William C. Richardson," May 20, 2021, [1]</ref> received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College (Connecticut)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and a Master in Business Administration degree (1964) and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (1971).<ref name="ReferenceA">Stacy Hanna, "'I Accomplished What I Set Out to Do'" Battle Creek (Michigan) Enquirer, March 30, 2006</ref>

Richardson was previously graduate dean and vice provost for research at the University of Washington (1981-1984), executive vice president and provost at Pennsylvania State University (1984–1990),<ref name="Exelon">William C. Richardson, Ph.D. profile on Exelon Corporation website</ref><ref name="Tobacco">Resume of William C. Richardson, Ph.D. from TobaccoDocuments.org</ref> and held various positions at the University of Chicago.<ref name="Forbes" /> He later became president of Johns Hopkins University (1990–1995).<ref name="Forbes">William C. Richardson profile on Forbes.com</ref><ref>Past Presidents Template:Webarchive at Johns Hopkins University</ref> Richardson devoted his academic career to researching the financing and organization of health services in the USA.<ref name="Exelon" /><ref name="Forbes" />

While at Johns Hopkins, Richardson made efforts to update the curriculum, diversify the student body and faculty, increase cooperation between academic divisions, and secure the school's financial position. Enrollment increased by 1995 to a record 16,330 and a new capital campaign launched, intended to raise $900 million. African-American and Hispanic enrollment doubled in his five years as president.<ref>Valerie Strauss, "President of Johns Hopkins U. Leaving to Head Philanthropy," Washington Post, December 30, 1994</ref>

Richardson left academia to head the Kellogg Foundation (1995–2005) and became chair and co-trustee of The Kellogg Foundation Trust (1996–2007).<ref name="Exelon" /><ref name="Forbes" /> Richardson has also been a director on the boards of the Kellogg Company (1996–2007), the Bank of New York (1998–2007), Exelon Corporation (2005-2016), CSX Corporation (1992–2008), and Mercantile Bankshares.<ref name="Exelon" /><ref name="Forbes" /> He was succeeded at the Kellogg Foundation in January 2006 by Sterling Speirn.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

He was elected a member of the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences in 1981.<ref name="Exelon" /> He is best known for his role as chair of the groundbreaking report on medical errors ("To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System") and a following report on quality of health care in America ("Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century"). He won its David Rall Award in 2007.<ref>David Rall Award on Institute of Medicine of the National Academy's website</ref> (The David Rall Medal is awarded to a member of the Institute of Medicine who has demonstrated particularly distinguished leadership as a chair of a study committee or other such activities in a manner that was particularly exemplary, demonstrating a commitment substantially above and beyond the usual expectations of a committee chair.)