Ms. Carol A. Solomon, mother, grandmother, compassionate friend, business leader, mentor and CEO of Peoples Health, passed away surrounded by family and loved ones on Sunday, Dec. 4. She was 72 years old. Ms. Solomon is survived by her daughter, Michelle Solomon Long (Stephen), sister, Diana Embi, brother, Joseph Thomas, and granddaughter, Piper. Born in New York and raised in Miami, Florida, Ms. Solomon moved to New Orleans in 1993. Ms. Solomon had a passion and love for all things New Orleans. Some of her favorite traditions included watching Mardi Gras parades on St. Charles Avenue, trying new restaurants and cheering on the New Orleans Saints. A jazz and music lover, Ms. Solomon was an avid supporter of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation. In her role as CEO of Peoples Health, a Metairie-based Medicare Advantage organization, she grew the company from 60 employees and 1,500 managed care members to more than 55,000 members and nearly 1,000 employees. National and local organizations recognized her innovative approach to healthcare delivery and commitment to creating a healthier community. In 2014, Ms. Solomon received the Community Leadership Award from Modern Healthcare, a national industry publication. She was also recognized as a Driving Force by New Orleans CityBusiness in 2010 and 2015 and as a Healthcare Hero in 2008. She was recognized in 2004 and 2006 as a New Orleans CityBusiness Women of the Year honoree and received the top honor in 2008 as a Woman of the Year, where she was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Ms. Solomon was hailed as a philanthropist, committed to improving the health of Louisianans and an advocate of changing the perception of seniors. In 2003, she created the Peoples Health Champions program, which honors individuals over the age of 65, who have achieved incredible accomplishments because of their age, not in spite of it. Peoples Health Champions has become a beloved tradition at New Orleans Saints home games, with tens of thousands applauding Champions during on-field presentations. Another passion of Ms. Solomon’s was ending the epidemic of senior hunger. In 2014, the Jefferson Parish Council on Aging faced devastating budget cuts, which threatened to cut meal delivery services to thousands of local seniors in need. Upon hearing about the issue, Ms. Solomon and Peoples Health stepped in to close the funding gap. She was also a supporter of Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Ms. Solomon also tackled the unique healthcare challenges faced by Louisiana residents through creating a model of care at Peoples Health. Recognizing the obstacles faced by members, she increased the company’s contact with and support of its members by adding physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, pharmacists and dieticians to the Peoples Health team. In addition to her commitment to helping those enrolled in Peoples Health Medicare Advantage plans improve their health, Ms. Solomon was also a proponent of improving the overall health of Louisianans on Medicare. She partnered with LSU Health Sciences Center to create the Center for Healthcare Advancement in 2012, which focused on creating best practices for managing chronic conditions including diabetes, cancer, renal failure, COPD and heart failure. Known for her passion and love of her chosen profession, Ms. Solomon once said, upon reflecting on her career, “At my first job someone told me, ‘Always do your best, no matter how menial the job. Life’s too short to do something you don’t enjoy. And most importantly, make a difference.’” This sentiment is something she continuously echoed throughout her career and was evidenced in her every approach whether personal or professional. Ms. Solomon was an active supporter of many local organizations, serving as a founding member of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana Women’s Leadership Initiative and a board member of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and the Louisiana Association of Health Plans. She also served as president of WWOZ’s board of directors and on the boards of the Louisiana Public Health Institute, Jefferson Business Council, New Orleans Opera Association and United Way board of trustees. Ms. Solomon will be best remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and friend. Her compassion and commitment to creating a better, healthier, happier world impacted countless lives. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Family and friends are invited to St. Mary’s Church, 1116 Chartres Street, New Orleans on Friday, December 9, 2016 for visitation and Words of Remembrance beginning at 9:30 a.m., followed by funeral mass at 12:00 p.m. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Way of Southeast Louisiana.
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