PHILADELPHIA, July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Independence Blue Cross (IBC) announces the following:
STEPHEN P. FERA has been appointed Vice President, Social Mission Programs.
Previously the Senior Director of Government Programs, Fera will continue to direct marketing, operations and interactions with state program administrators related to the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) and the adultBasic program, as well as IBC’s Special Care product and the Caring Foundation. In this newly created position, Fera will also have expanded responsibilities for IBC’s recently enhanced Social Mission initiatives, which now include the progressive IBC Nurse Scholars Program and the IBC Charitable Medical Grant Program. Fera, who joined IBC in 1990, received a B.S. in Marketing and an MBA in Finance from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He resides in Philadelphia, PA.
ROBERT N. ROBISON, MD, has been promoted to Senior Medical Director.
Dr. Robison will oversee field activities in IBC’s provider networks in Pennsylvania and Delaware. This includes support for participating physicians and other professional providers, and management of IBC’s quality-based incentive program for primary care physicians. Before joining IBC in 2001 as a Medical Director in Network Development, Robison served as Chief Medical Officer at Horizon Mercy and at PA Physicians Care. Active in his professional field, Robison is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice, a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and a former Fellow and mentor in the Executive Leadership Program of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), formerly known as the American Association of Health Plans (AAHP). He is also on the editorial board of Formulary Magazine and contributes regularly to publications on innovative medical management. Robison received his BA in Chemistry with departmental honors at Western Maryland College and his medical degree at the University of Maryland. He currently resides in Conshohocken, PA.
RONALD J. BROOKS, MD, has been promoted to Senior Medical Director.
In his new role as Senior Medical Director of Professional Networks & Contracting, Dr. Brooks will oversee field activities in IBC’s Pennsylvania provider networks, interacting with and coordinating information from physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers about IBC programs and quality-based incentive compensation system. He was previously a Medical Director of Professional Networks & Contracting.
A board-certified internist, Dr. Brooks’ experience includes developing quality improvement programs in medical record keeping and in the care of chronic diseases. Dr. Brooks, a Hahnemann Medical College graduate, completed his residency training in Internal Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Dr. Brooks was a co-editor of “Medical Clinics of North America,” a book on managed care. He has published medical journal articles on quality improvement in diabetic care and has been a contributing author to several books about managed healthcare. Dr. Brooks currently serves as chairman of the Greater Philadelphia Diabetes Coalition. He resides in Ambler, PA.
JAMES H. RHODES has been named Director, Legislative Policy & Communications.
In his new role, Rhodes continues his responsibility for overseeing and implementing legislative policy and government-related activities in New Jersey and Delaware. He will also increase his support role in legislative policy and government-related activities in Pennsylvania. Rhodes assumes full responsibility for publishing and developing internal and external communications on state and federal issues. Rhodes participates in professional groups such as the NJ Mandated Health Benefits Advisory Commission; and on various committees of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). He also serves as the chair of the Health Issues Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of Southern NJ and as treasurer in the NJ Association of Health Plans. Rhodes is a member of the Board of Directors at the Larc School (Bellmawr, NJ) and is President of Rutgers University Camden Alumni Association. He received a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University. Rhodes resides in Westmont, New Jersey.
GARY P. McLAUGHLIN has been promoted to Director, Marketing Training & Proposal Development.
As Director, McLaughlin will manage all aspects of marketing training including course development and delivery of programs relating to product knowledge and personal development for all marketing associates in sales and management. He will also oversee the proposal development department which provides information to groups, brokers and consultants regarding IBC, its products, services and rates. McLaughlin, previously a Manager of Sales Training, earned a B.S. in education from West Chester University. He resides in Montgomeryville, PA.
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania, providing coverage to more than 2.8 million members in Pennsylvania. The company contributes to the health and well being of the region through its extensive health and community partnerships, sponsorships and educational programs.
Independence Blue Cross
CONTACT: Butch Ward, Independence Blue Cross, +1-215-241-2220
