Former Executive Director of the Tufts Health Plan Foundation and Brandeis alumnus David Abelman '82 is being promoted to president by the Foundation's board of directors, according to a Jan. 3 news release.

The Tufts Health Plan Foundation works "to promote healthy aging, and with the 10,000 Americans per day turning 65 years old (as reported by the Pew Research Center), the need for health care support is very great," according to Abelman in an email to the Justice.

"My job, with the guidance of our great board of directors, is to be sure we have the right strategic approach, operational infrastructure and financial management, to enable us to effectively and efficiently promote the health of older adults," Abelman wrote.

"At its most basic level, we need to be sure that we are wisely distributing about $3 million in annual grants to community organizations," Abelman continued in his email. "Beyond the grants, we promote healthy aging through agenda building, advocacy, convening, and education."

When asked about his reaction to his promotion, Abelman wrote, "Well, I probably had a big smile on my face. First and foremost, I thanked the Tufts Health Plan CEO Jim Roosevelt for the opportunity. Then I called my wife Marilyn, to give her the good news."

Abelman joined Tufts Health Plan in 1999, according to a press release, and as executive director held senior responsibility for the operations and strategic activities of the Foundation.

"For most of my career, I was a litigation attorney," said Abelman in an email to the Justice. "During the 1990s, I spent several years as a federal prosecutor, handling health care fraud matters, among other things."

With his background in litigation, Abelman joined Tufts Health in 1999 as the Plan's senior litigation attorney. Abelman now serves as Deputy Counsel General, in addition to his role as President of the Tufts Health Plan Foundation.

According to the Jan. 3 news release, Abelman has led the Tufts Health Plan Foundation since its creation, when it had an endowment of $38 million and one staff member. The endowment has subsequently grown to $75 million and the Foundation now has a staff of four.

In 2011, the Foundation continued its strategic focus to improve the lives of seniors and it provided grants to 76 organizations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the news release stated.

"David's appointment reflects his strong credibility and significant contributions to growing the Tufts Health Plan Foundation," said James Roosevelt Jr., president and CEO of Tufts Health Plan and board member of the Tufts Health Plan Foundation in a press release.

"Under his leadership," continued Roosevelt Jr., "the lives of many seniors have improved due to the foundation's Healthy Aging programs and grants."

Abelman continues to oversee staff and various activities, which include investments, grant making, and administrative functions.