Andrea Walsh (’88) has been named chief executive officer of HealthPartners, a Minnesota-based nonprofit with 1,700 physicians, seven hospitals, 55 primary care clinics, 23 urgent care clinics, and numerous specialty care clinics. Walsh will replace Mary Brainerd, the current top executive, who plans to retire in June. “I’ve been fortunate to work closely with Mary for much of my career,” said Walsh. “I look forward to leading HealthPartners and continuing our focus on providing the best and most affordable care and coverage for our patients, members, and the community.” Walsh has worked for 20 years at HealthPartners, first as senior vice president and corporate counsel and more recently as chief marketing officer. Ruth Mickelsen, chair of the HealthPartners board of directors, says the Law School graduate “has deep experience and will capably lead HealthPartners as its next president and CEO. The organization is positioned well for the future.” Revenue at HealthPartners topped $5.7 billion in 2015, more than triple its revenue in 2002. Walsh is a native of Rochester, Minn. Her father, grandfather, and great-grandfather worked as physicians, and she previously served as assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Health. Before attending the Law School, she earned business and English degrees at the University of Kansas.
President & Chief Executive Officer: Chief Legal Officer & Head of Legal Affairs and Risk Management: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer: Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of New Business:
Denise Napier
Johnna Baker
Kevin Clancy
Joe Brand
Chief Administrative & Diversity Officer:
Cat Bird
Senior Vice President of Clinical and Provider Management:
Chris McTiernan
Senior Vice President of Healthcare Economics:
Carol Potts
Vice President and Head of Government Affairs & State Program Manager:
Kearline Jones
President and CEO Denise Napier is the president and chief executive officer of Health Partners Plans (HPP). She leads one of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s largest health maintenance organizations, with operations focusing on Medicare Advantage plans, a CHIP plan and a nationally recognized Medicaid plan. Under Ms. Napier's leadership, HPP puts members first, develops innovative programs to benefit communities and creates tremendous business growth. Ms. Napier has more than 25 years of results-driven leadership experience with Medicaid, Medicare and commercial products. Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, product development, mergers and acquisitions, operations, pharmacy, health care management, network management, regulatory compliance, expansions and start-ups.
Ms. Napier has served as CEO for multiple health plans, focusing on improving financial and growth outcomes to obtain profitability and transform lives. Prior to becoming HPP’s president and CEO, she served as the company’s senior vice president of health care management operations and, more recently, as executive vice president of clinical and provider management. Ms. Napier’s supportive leadership has enabled HPP to create groundbreaking partnerships with the Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (MANNA) and the Broad Street Ministry.
Ms. Napier received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Widener University and her Master of Health Administration from St. Joseph’s University. She is also a registered nurse in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She is a board member of the HealthShare Exchange, where she also serves as chair of the nominating committee. In addition, Ms. Napier is a board member of St. Christopher’s Foundation for Children.
Covering largely Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, HealthPartners includes a care-delivery system with a multi-specialty group practice of 1,900 physicians and 850 advanced practice clinicians, a dental practice including more than 60 dentists, nine hospitals, top-rated medical and dental health plans, and the HealthPartners Institute which leads research and educational training for the system. Prior to her appointment as president and CEO in 2017, Walsh was part of the HealthPartners senior-executive team for more than 20 years. She served as executive vice president and chief marketing officer for nearly 15 years and joined HealthPartners in 1994 as senior vice president and corporate counsel. Prior to joining HealthPartners, she practiced law and was an assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Health. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School and the University of Kansas.
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