Dr. Woodrow Myers, Jr. Named New Chief Medical Officer and Health Strategist for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

PHOENIX, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) announces Dr. Woodrow Myers, Jr. will join the company as chief medical officer and health strategist. With a focus on provider relationships, Dr. Myers is expected to further shape how healthcare is delivered in Arizona.

Dr. Myers assumes the role that was held by Dr. Vishu Jhaveri, who retired at the end of 2017. "We have a purposeful transition in place to ensure all of the good work in progress not only continues, but accelerates," said BCBSAZ President and CEO Pam Kehaly. "Our responsibility is not only to ignite conversations and bring healthcare leaders together to ensure high quality and efficient medical care for our members, but, also to positively impact the health and well-being of all Arizonans. This will carry on under Dr. Myers' leadership."

Dr. Myers is nationally recognized for his involvement in quality initiatives for patient care and health management programs. Most notably he has held the roles of executive vice president and chief medical officer at Anthem, formerly WellPoint, Inc.; the director of healthcare management at the Ford Motor Company; and health commissioner for New York City, as well as the state of Indiana. As an alumnus of Harvard Medical School and Stanford University, he has served as a member of their respective boards.

"As the state's largest locally-owned healthcare insurer, BCBSAZ is deeply entrenched in the community," Dr. Myers noted. "There is so much opportunity to impact health in a positive way whether it is at the individual level or at the state level. I'm eager to meet Arizona's provider community and state regulators to further develop strategies and unique partnerships that improve access to care and quality outcomes."

Dr. Myers will be responsible for directing the company's healthcare innovations, strategic provider partnerships and clinical decision-making.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) is committed to helping Arizonans get healthier faster and stay healthier longer. With a focus on connecting people with the care they need, BCBSAZ offers health insurance and related services to nearly 1.5 million customers. BCBSAZ, a not-for-profit company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The company employs nearly 1,500 people in its Phoenix, Chandler, Flagstaff and Tucson offices. Through advanced clinical programs and community outreach, BCBSAZ is moving health forward. To learn more, visit azblue.com.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona