For Immediate Release
White Plains, New York
December 8, 2008
Noted State Government Medical Director
Dr. Stephen Saunders
Joins APS Healthcare
APS Healthcare, Inc., one of the country’s leading specialty healthcare companies, has announced that Stephen E. Saunders, MD, MPH, has joined as its chief medical officer. As the company’s medical leader, Dr. Saunders will oversee company-wide quality improvement activities, guide clinical product development, and provide oversight to APS medical directors and physicians.
Dr. Saunders previously served as the medical director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. He provided medical direction for Medicaid and other public programs and acted as physician provider liaison. Saunders developed and implemented statewide disease management and care coordination projects focusing on the physical and mental health for 220,000 participants and establishing a comprehensive Primary Care Case Management (“medical home”) program for 1.7 million beneficiaries. He is viewed nationally as a leader in disease management and total health management, and was part of the team that developed and implemented the groundbreaking Illinois Medicaid program.
“Dr. Saunders is a great addition to our team. He is a national thought leader in the design of new approaches to managing chronic illnesses and promoting wellness among Medicaid populations and other special needs groups,” said Jerry Vaccaro, MD, president and COO of APS. “He will be a tremendous asset to APS at a time when our nation is gearing up for accelerated healthcare reform. Steve has a proven ability to create new programs that improve peoples’ lives and control government spending on healthcare.”
Dr. Saunders’ distinguished career includes service as associate director of the Illinois Department of Human Services and as division chief, Illinois Department of Public Health. His healthcare management career and clinical practice experience has roots in New Mexico and in Arizona, where he served as assistant director, Department of Health Services.
Dr. Saunders is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and past president of its Illinois chapter. He also serves on the Long-Term and Chronic Care Steering Committee of the National Academy for State Health Policy. He earned a master’s degree in public health from the Harvard School of Public Health, a medical degree from the University of California at Irvine School of Medicine, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
“After more than 30 years in public health and Medicaid program management, I decided to join APS and bring my commitment to disease and total health management to the private sector. APS is a leader in the specialty healthcare space, and I’m delighted to join the team,” said Stephen Saunders, MD. “I’m looking forward to working with APS associates to change the healthcare landscape; improving quality of life and outcomes, while keeping healthcare affordable in these challenging times.”
About APS
APS Healthcare is a leading provider of specialty healthcare solutions to more than 20 million members in the United States and Puerto Rico. The company partners with agencies in more than 20 states, representing more than 40 percent of the nation’s Medicaid population. APS delivers customized, integrated healthcare solutions that help people engage in behaviors that optimize their health status. By uniting all participants in the healthcare landscape – individuals, practitioners and payers – APS improves overall health and reduces total healthcare expenditures.
For more information, contact:
Andrea Minoff
(914) 288-4791
aminoff@apshealthcare.com
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