George S. Barrett is chairman and chief executive officer of Cardinal Health, a company ranked among the top 25 on the Fortune 500 and dedicated to improving the cost-effectiveness of health care. Barrett has refocused Cardinal Health on its essential role in supporting hospitals, pharmacies and alternative sites of care in their efforts to improve the quality and safety of patient care, while reducing costs and improving efficiency.  The tagline – Essential to care – embodies the company’s strategy and the culture of the organization. Barrett has been chairman and CEO of Cardinal Health since 2009.  He joined the company in 2008 as vice chairman and CEO of the company’s Healthcare Supply Chain Services. From 2005 to end-2007, Barrett served as president and CEO of North America for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.  During 2007, he also served as corporate executive vice president for Global Pharmaceutical Markets.  He held the position of president of Teva USA from 1999 to end-2004. Prior to joining Teva, Barrett held various positions with Alpharma Inc., serving as president of US Pharmaceuticals from 1994 to 1997, and president of NMC Laboratories, prior to its acquisition by Alpharma in 1990.  Barrett serves on the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the board of trustees of the Corporation of Brown University. He is a member of the Healthcare Leadership Council and The Conference Board. He is also a member of the Business Roundtable, The Business Council and The Columbus Partnership. Barrett also serves on the board of directors of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Barrett earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University and a Master of Business Administration from New York University.  He also holds an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Long Island University’s Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.  

Barrett has refocused Cardinal Health on its essential role in supporting hospitals, pharmacies and alternative sites of care in their efforts to improve the quality and safety of patient care, while reducing costs and improving efficiency.