Former Red Cross chief Healy dead at 67

Dr. Bernadine Healy, leader of the American Red Cross during the 9/11 terrorist attacks nearly 10 years ago, has died at the age of 67.

A Harvard-trained cardiologist, Healy was a professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital from 1976 until 1984, according to her biography from the National Institutes of Health, where she served as director from April 1991 until June 1993.

Before she held that position, Healy had been appointed by President Ronald Reagan to become deputy director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House in 1984. She then served as chairman of the Research Institute at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and also worked as a member of the clinic's cardiology department.

During her time at the NIH, Healy began the NIH Women's Health Initiative, a $500 million endeavor to study the causes, prevention and cures of diseases that affect women.

After serving for four years as dean of the Ohio State University College of Medicine, she later served as president and CEO of the American Red Cross from 1999 until 2001.

“During her brief two-year tenure as president and CEO, Dr. Healy worked tirelessly to initiate reforms in key Red Cross programs,” the American Red Cross said in a statement Monday on its website. “When she left the organization in October 2001, it had improved its ability to respond to domestic and international disasters and was better equipped to ensure the safety and adequate supply of the nation's blood.”

The Associated Press reported that Healy had suffered from brain cancer, although no formal cause of death had been announced. A death notice from the Cleveland newspaper The Plain Dealer said Healy is survived by her husband, Dr. Floyd Loop, and her daughters Bartlett Healy Russell and Marie McGrath Loop. After a funeral Mass on Wednesday, Healy will be buried in West Lafayette, Ind.