American Red Cross
Healy was recruited away from Ohio State to become President and CEO of the American Red Cross in late 1999, succeeding Elizabeth Dole. From the outset she strove to unite the various services and volunteers under the banner "Together we can save a life."
Her tenure at the Red Cross was not without controversy. In the spring of 2001 the FDA issued a record fine to the Red Cross for mishandling CMV infected blood products.
The American Red Cross was criticized in the media, by New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, and by some in Congress for designating funds for 9/11 related activities that did not directly involve victims. Healy had fought against the misuse of these funds but was overruled. .
Healy, who had taken a stand supporting the Israeli Red Cross, and auditing and financial controls of chapters, had crossed swords on this issue with Muslim board members and chapter heads, and resigned in the wake of these controversies. Dr. Healy departed the organization as president on December 31, 2001.
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