Dr. Patrick Conway assumes the role of CEO at Optum Rx, a major pharmacy benefit management company with 60 million members and $115 billion in annual revenue. Formerly leading Optum Health Care Solutions, he aims to enhance pharmacy services and improve the healthcare system for all. Heather Cianfrocco becomes Optum’s president, and other leadership changes are seen within the company.
Optum Rx has appointed Dr. Patrick Conway as its new CEO, taking the reins of the pharmacy benefit management giant, one of the leading players in the field. According to his LinkedIn announcement, Optum Rx serves an impressive 60 million members and handles 1.5 billion prescriptions annually, generating a substantial $115 billion in revenue each year.
Dr. Conway brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously led Optum Health Care Solutions, a division encompassing various areas such as home health, behavioral health, and population health. Under his guidance, this segment has expanded to include over 70,000 employees and serves more than 70 million individuals.
In his LinkedIn post, Dr. Conway expressed the significant impact of pharmacy services on healthcare, emphasizing their role in providing access to necessary care and improving health outcomes. He is determined to work closely with the team to enhance pharmacy services, striving to achieve a better health system that benefits everyone.
Before his new role, Dr. Conway held various positions, including serving as the director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation during the Obama administration.
Meanwhile, Heather Cianfrocco, the former Optum Rx CEO, will now take on the role of president of Optum, where she will oversee the company’s pharmacy and care delivery offerings, according to UnitedHealth Group’s website.
This leadership transition follows the departure of former Optum President John Prince, who has moved on to become a senior advisor for the venture capital firm TPG.
The recent leadership changes come alongside news that Amar Desai, M.D., will return to lead Optum Health, while Optum Health CEO Wyatt Decker takes on a new role as Chief Physician of Value-Based Care at UnitedHealth Group.
Dr. Conway expressed excitement about his new role, drawing upon his experiences at Optum Health Care Solutions and his determination to contribute to making the health system more efficient and effective for everyone involved.
