Regence names Dr. Richard Popiel Chief Medical Officer, SVP/Health Care

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Regence is pleased to announce that Dr. Richard Popiel has accepted the appointment of Senior Vice President, Health Care Services and Chief Medical Officer for all our health insurance plans. He will be based in Portland, effective Oct. 31.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121105/SF06373)

He will lead medical strategy and provide executive leadership on addressing care initiatives and cost management. 

"Dr. Popiel has very successfully demonstrated how to improve patient outcomes while keeping down costs," said Jared Short, Regence president. "His work is widely recognized for his ability to rethink how quality care is delivered. His leadership will help to ensure that our members receive the right care in the right setting at the right cost."

He comes to Regence from Horizon Healthcare Innovations, a Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey company, where he was president and chief operating officer. Under Dr. Popiel's leadership, Horizon Healthcare Innovations launched more than 30 pilot programs involving 80,000 members, such as medical home projects and accountable care organization (ACO) partnerships. This work, which improved health outcomes while curbing costs, has been cited by Harvard Business School.

"Dr. Popiel's strategic and operational experience in many types of health care settings will advance our current initiatives in provider payment and care coordination, and help us bring new quality and cost initiatives to a rapidly evolving marketplace," said Short.

Dr. Popiel earned Bachelor and Master of Science degrees and a Doctor of Medicine at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He also holds a master of business administration from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. He is board-certified in internal medicine.

About Regence affiliated companies
The Regence affiliated companies serve more than two million members through Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (selected counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Regence affiliated companies are committed to improving the health of its members and communities and to transforming the health care system. For more information, please visit www.regence.com or follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE Regence

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