ROCKVILLE, Md., - Feb. 28, 2023 - The U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) today announced the appointment of Paula Henderson as Chief People Officer. In this capacity, she will lead the Global People & Culture team in creating and implementing strategies focused on attracting, developing and inspiring great talent. Collaborating with USP’s Equity Office, Paula will help foster a multi-generational culture of inclusion and belonging.
“I’m thrilled to be joining a mission-driven organization and high-performing team so focused on impacting the world of public health and people’s lives in meaningful ways,” said Henderson. “USP plays a vital role in ensuring the safety, quality and availability of medicines around the world. I look forward to applying my health system human resources experience to pursue the people goals critical to advancing USP’s mission.”
Most recently, Paula was Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System (VCUHS). While there, she transformed many Human Resources functions, including Team Member Experience, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Total Rewards, HR Business Advisory, Talent Acquisition and Onboarding, and Talent Management and Organizational Development.
Before VCUHS, Paula was the Chief Human Resources Officer for the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). Through strategic HR leadership, she helped drive the organization’s mission to create a healthier Mississippi by educating healthcare professionals, conducting health sciences research and delivering innovative patient care. Paula also spent about 11 years at the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), including her last role as Vice President of Human Resources.
“With a strong track record of leading human resources teams at some of the largest healthcare systems in the U.S., Paula brings a unique depth of experience in developing and driving people strategies around talent acquisition, talent management and development, diversity and inclusion and executive coaching,” said Ronald T. Piervincenzi, Ph.D., CEO of USP.
Well-known in healthcare HR circles, Paula has participated on panels with the Healthcare HR Management Institute and the annual Harvard Business School Healthcare Alumni Association. She has a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor of Arts in French and Business from West Virginia University.
About USP
USP is an independent scientific organization that collaborates with the world's top experts in health and science to develop quality resources and standards for medicines, dietary supplements and food ingredients. Through our resources, standards, advocacy and education, USP helps increase the availability of quality medicines, supplements and foods for billions of people worldwide.
Contact:
Mitch Derman
571-216-8712
mitch.derman@usp.org