Tulane Names Two New Board Members

Richard Bracken, president and chief executive officer of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), and Hunter Pierson, president of Pierson Investments and a director of Deltic Timber Corporation, have been elected to the Board of Tulane.

"Both of these gentlemen have long and deep ties to Tulane University. Their wisdom and expertise will be of great value as we guide Tulane through and beyond these challenging economic times," Tulane President Scott Cowen said.

Bracken began his career with HCA, a hospital company that is the leading provider of healthcare services in the U.S., in 1981. He has held various executive positions with the company, including CEO of the Green Hospital of Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in San Diego and CEO of Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. He also is vice-chair of the HCA Foundation.

"I am delighted to join Tulane University's board and I look forward to serving this prestigious university," said Bracken. "I developed great respect for Tulane, not only in my role at HCA, which has had a long-standing partnership through Tulane Medical Center, but also as a parent of two sons who earned graduate degrees from Tulane University."

Pierson has led Pierson Investments, a private investment firm that owns and manages commercial real estate, timberland and securities, since 1981. He has been a director of Deltic Timber Corporation since 1999. In May, the Tulane Alumni Association awarded Pierson the 2009 Dermot McGlinchey Lifetime Achievement Award.

"I welcome this new leadership role and look forward to ensuring that the years to come are the best in Tulane's long and storied history," said Pierson, who also has served on the Tulane Medical Center Board of Governors, chaired the President's Council and was co-chair of "Promise and Distinction: The Campaign for Tulane University" along with his wife, Cathy, an emeritus member of the Board of Tulane and its former chair.