PBN 2020 Leaders & Achievers Awards
Marie L. Ganim | R.I. health insurance commissioner
MARIE L. GANIM HAS DEDICATED her career to making sure people get the health care they need.
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She became interested in health and public and social policy in college, where she did several internships.
“I did [a] couple of tough jobs early on, and that did a lot to develop my interest in learning and approach to public service,” she said. “It led me to an interest in public leadership and concern for people that we serve in the public sector. I was destined to find a position where I do both.”
Today, as the R.I health insurance commissioner, Ganim has led several efforts focused on improving the health delivery system in Rhode Island. She works directly with government officials to improve laws that protect and support the people who need it.
“I’ve seen the human impact of government and how government can be successful and the challenges we face,” she said. “Government has a huge impact on people’s lives.”
Ganim attributes her success in the public sector to her willingness to continue learning.
“I think the cumulative experience and learning that takes place over a career contributes to successful leadership,” Ganim said. “I really do think life-learning experiences, learning every single day and trying to improve my skills helps me to build on the information and experiences I have.”
Throughout her career, Ganim has earned a number of recognitions, honors and awards. But she is especially proud of the 2020 Mental Health Hero Award her office recently received.
“When I started working here, the office had already started looking at how we can ensure access to mental health services and that work just blossomed,” Ganim said. “Everybody in [the] office is so dedicated to ensuring fairness and equity in everything we do; it is engrained in us. To have that recognized, to have that impact made us all very proud and happy. It’s humbling work. There is always more to be done.”
