James Weidner, Cooperative American Physicians CEO, to be honored with City of Hope’s Spirit of Life Award, November 14

LOS ANGELES – City of Hope’s National Insurance Industry Council (NIIC) will honor James L. Weidner, chief executive officer of Cooperative of American Physicians Inc. (CAP), with The Spirit of Life® Award, City of Hope’s most prestigious philanthropic honor. Weidner will be joined by friends, colleagues and industry professionals to celebrate his philanthropic and business achievements at the Spirit of Life dinner on November 14, 2009, at the Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition from City of Hope and proud to support its efforts to bring innovative new treatments to patients who need them,” said Weidner. “I strongly believe in protecting and supporting the lifesaving work of researchers and physicians because they focus on improving the quality and long-term health of human life.”

CAP was established in 1975 by a group of California physicians to find a way to manage the escalating cost of medical professional liability coverage. Two years later, CAP launched the Mutual Protection Trust which today provides protection for the finest physicians practicing in California. CAP is recognized as the leading medical professional liability provider in California and now serves more than 10,000 physician members.

“We are pleased to honor James Weidner and to celebrate his contributions to City of Hope and the medical community,” said Michael A. Friedman, M.D., president and chief executive officer, City of Hope. “As a member of our National Insurance Industry Council, Mr. Weidner is actively involved in City of Hope’s vital efforts to research and uncover promising new treatments for patients suffering from cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The NIIC brings new hope to patients at City of Hope.”

The NIIC was founded in 1978 by a group of key insurance industry executives. It is comprised of the most prominent property and casualty companies, law firms, brokers, accounting firms, reinsurers, executive placement firms and actuaries in the insurance industry. Motivated by its commitment to innovative medical research and quality patient care, and inspired by the guiding humanitarian principles of City of Hope, the NIIC has raised more than $19 million through its fundraising efforts.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the Spirit of Life dinner, contact Michael Sandler at 800-272-2310 or insurance@coh.org, or visit www.cityofhope.org/niic

About the Honoree
James L. Weidner is chief executive officer of CAP and the Mutual Protection Trust (MPT). Together, these two entities serve complementary purposes: equipping physicians with the tools to address the business challenges of their medical practices and providing superior protection to meet their medical professional liability needs.

Weidner took over leadership of CAP in 1995. Since that time, the number of California physicians served by the organization has increased three-fold. Membership now exceeds 10,000.

Under Weidner’s leadership, MPT (which provides medical professional liability protection exclusively to CAP members) has earned an A+ (Superior) Rating from A.M. Best Company for three consecutive years. Mr. Weidner has also overseen the expansion of CAP’s services to physicians through its own insurance agencies and other programs. In particular, CAP is now known as a national leader in bringing risk management and patient safety programs to its physician members.

In May of 2008, Weidner was elected vice chair of the Physician Insurers Association of America (PIAA) board of directors, a trade association of more than 50 medical liability insurance companies owned and operated by doctors and dentists. Weidner’s election not only recognizes his accomplishments during his six-year PIAA board service, but also his “dedication, professionalism and, above all, his leadership abilities,” according to Larry Smarr, president, PIAA.

Prior to joining CAP, Weidner was western region senior vice president for Home Insurance Company. As part of Home’s New Ventures Unit, he worked on the company’s 24-hour medical coverage and managed care products. Weidner began his career with Allstate Insurance Company in Chicago before moving to CNA Insurance to handle home office and field management positions in corporate property claims, human resources and regional general management.

Weidner has earned the designation of certified insurance counselor. He received his psychology degree from St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Ind., and is an alumnus of the Stanford Executive Program. In his leisure time, Weidner enjoys golf, the arts and working with the NIIC for City of Hope in its fundraising efforts. California Governor Gray Davis appointed him to the Commission of the Californias in 2001. Weidner is also a member of the board of directors for the Downtown Ketchum YMCA and is the former chair of the board of governors for the City Club on Bunker Hill.

About City of Hope
City of Hope is a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest honor bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope’s research and treatment protocols advance care throughout the nation. City of Hope is located in Duarte, Calif., just northeast of Los Angeles, and is ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” in cancer and urology by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org

Contact Laura Kim, phone: 800-888-5323 lkim@coh.org