“I credit Western for preparing me to succeed. The education I got at WMU was superior and prepared me for the business world.”
Carlson retired from Blue Care Network of Michigan as President and CEO in 2010. She served in executive positions for both BCBS Michigan and BCN, which achieved a number of milestones during her 33-year tenure. In addition to expanding product offerings to include new commercial and government business products which increased members, Carlson was responsible for building Blues’ HIPAA compliant operations and procedures. Under her leadership, BCN successfully entered the senior market; introduced a Health Reimbursement Account product, recognizing the importance of having consumer driven products; and was one of the first in the Detroit area to offer a plan that incorporated wellness and preventative care.
In 2008, Carlson was on campus as part of the Haworth College of Business Distinguished Speaker Series to discuss her accumulated knowledge in a talk about the future of healthcare, and in 2016, the Haworth College of Business awarded her an Outstanding Alumni Achievement award. Her involvement with her alma mater doesn’t stop there. Carlson was nominated and appointed to the WMU Alumni Association Board in 1995 and served as president in her final year, 2000-01. In 2007, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed her to the board of trustees, serving as chair in 2013 before ending her tenure in 2014.