James O. Mason

Dr James O. Mason

"Dr. Mason became the first managing director of the Church’s Unified Welfare Services. He directed the multiple hospitals owned by the Church, which were later spun off to become Intermountain Health Care.

"Dr. Mason has taught at the University of Utah Medical School. He served as the executive director of the Utah Department of Health until 1983, when he was named the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1989, the President of the United States asked him to head the United States Public Health Service, an appointment that required Senate confirmation. He also served as the United States delegate to the World Health Organization (WHO).

"As a nationally recognized expert on disease prevention and health promotion, Dr. Mason has counseled, “The best advice I can give is that to enjoy the blessings of peace of mind, health, and happiness, keep the commandments.”

"Elder Mason was called to the Second Quorum of the Seventy in April 1994, and served in the Africa Area Presidency and as President of the Africa West Area. Having filled his five-year call with distinction, Elder Mason was released in October 2000.

"Elder Mason currently serves as a Trustee on the Evergreen Board of Trustees.“