Keith Ivens, MD, is the new chair of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care Board of Representatives.

Dr. Ivens has served in correctional medicine for nearly 30 years, beginning as a staff physician with the Indiana Department of Correction in 1995. A Stanford-trained physician, he has worked in jails, prisons, detention centers, and juvenile facilities across city, county, state, and federal systems. As Chief Medical Officer for CoreCivic, he oversaw medical services for more than 50,000 patients at more than 60 correctional facilities in 17 states plus the District of Columbia, molding corporate policies to reflect NCCHC national standards. During that time, he continued to see patients so he could see the ramifications that leadership decisions had on patients and staff.

He has been a member of the NCCHC board since 2021 as liaison for the  American College of Correctional Physicians. During this tenure he has served on several committees including the Executive Committee, Policy and Research Committee, and Education Committee.

“During my first year with the Indiana DOC, I was introduced to NCCHC as an organization that was working to push our field higher. I was thrilled to find like-minded individuals who wanted to serve incarcerated patients and improve their communities by returning those individuals prepared to manage their health needs,” Dr. Ivens said in a speech at the opening ceremony for the National Conference on Correctional Health Care in Baltimore. “Today, NCCHC leads the way in setting the standards that define and elevate quality care in corrections. I am honored to serve as chair of this outstanding organization.”

Grant Phillips, MD, CCHP, was elected chair elect. He serves as the American Academy of Family Physicians liaison to the NCCHC board.