Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota announces four executive leadership appointments

EAGAN, Minn., March 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) today announced four executive leadership roles. Executive promotions include: Tina Holmes, now holds the title of vice president, office of the CEO and chief of staff; Eric Hoag to vice president, provider relations; and Janelle Waldock to vice president, community health and health equity. Blue Cross also announced that Peter Wickersham has joined the organization as the executive pharmacy officer and vice president, health services operations.

Tina Holmes, vice president, office of the CEO and chief of staff 
In her new role as vice president to the office of the CEO, Holmes will lead the organization's corporate events, crisis management and business resilience functions, as well as increase her role as a liaison to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Holmes will continue her chief of staff responsibilities to advise, coordinate and collaborate on strategic initiatives for the CEO, while overseeing cross-functional activities throughout the organization.

"Tina Holmes is an exceptional chief of staff who ensures that key strategies have the necessary organizational support and are in alignment with the company's vision and mission," said Mike Guyette, CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. "Her extensive background in IT, combined with proven expertise in navigating complex operational systems, made her the clear choice to oversee additional critical areas."

Holmes has more than 19 years of experience at Blue Cross where she has held leadership roles in IT and several other business disciplines. She has a bachelor's degree in organizational management and leadership from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn.

Eric Hoag, vice president of provider relations   
In his new role as vice president of provider relations, Hoag is responsible for developing value-based payment methodologies, negotiating contracts with medical service providers, configuring networks of providers, managing the cost of contracted medical services and cultivating strategic partnerships with providers.

"Eric has played a pivotal role in managing medical costs and negotiating competitive contracts. He has also been a key leader in building our provider relationships," said Garrett Black, senior vice president of health services. "Eric's strategic leadership, coupled with his dedication to our members, will continue to help Blue Cross achieve our vision of becoming Minnesota's health care leader."

Prior to this role, Hoag served as senior director of provider relations at Blue Cross and as a director for Allina Health System's Physician Business Development where he managed acquisitions, physician arrangements and other business development activities. He also held financial and management positions at the University of Minnesota Physicians. Hoag has a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. and an MBA from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management.

Janelle Waldock, vice president of community health and health equity 
As vice president of community health and health equity, Waldock is responsible for leading initiatives aimed at improving the health of all Minnesotans and Blue Cross members. This includes overseeing Blue Cross's internal and external approach to health equity, as well as its community health initiatives, including those funded through the Center for Prevention. She will also oversee the organization's diversity and inclusion strategy.

"Minnesota is often cited as one of the healthiest states in the nation, yet we also experience some of the most significant disparities in health outcomes," said Paula Phillippe, senior vice president of human resources and external relations. "Janelle's extensive experience leading community health initiatives, including those which consider how factors such as race, income and geographic location may help or hinder people's opportunities to live a heathy lifestyle, make her an ideal fit for this newly created role."    

During her more than 15 year tenure at Blue Cross, Waldock has played a prominent role in the organization's policy and advocacy efforts, including most recently serving as the Director of the Center for Prevention. She also played a leadership role in statewide coalitions that supported the passage of the Minnesota's Freedom to Breathe law and a significant increase in the state's tobacco tax. She holds a bachelor's degree in speech communication and organizational psychology and a master's degree in experimental education from Mankato State University, as well as a master's degree in management and public administration from Hamline University.

Peter Wickersham, executive pharmacy officer and vice president of health services operations 
In his new role as executive pharmacy officer and vice president of health services operations, Wickersham will oversee Blue Cross' pharmacy business and be responsible for the organization's provider data operations, credentialing, project management, operational efficiency, clinical and provider analytics as well as Blue Cross' affordability of care program. In this capacity, he will focus on making health care more efficient, easier to use and more affordable while exploring and designing new models to enhance the customer experience.

"Peter has an impressive record of accomplishments and brings with him a rich knowledge of the health care industry," said Black. "The addition of Peter is a critical development in our ongoing work to enhance the health care experience and affordability of care for our members. We know Blue Cross will benefit greatly from his leadership."

Wickersham comes to Blue Cross from Change Healthcare (formerly Emdeon) where he was senior vice president and general manager of pharmacy and clinical solutions. He has held leadership positions at Prime Therapeutics, CIGNA and Aetna, and is currently a board member of the Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA). Wickersham holds master's degrees in applied statistics, nuclear science and engineering, as well as management.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota's first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A nonprofit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.9 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago. Go to bluecrossmn.com to learn more.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151020/278636LOGO

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota