Kaiser Permanente is an American integrated managed care consortium, based in Oakland, California, United States, founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J.

Hospital

Kaiser Permanente

Bechara Choucair, MD, is senior vice president and chief health officer for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., and Hospitals.

Dr. Choucair oversees the organization’s efforts to address the social health of its 12.5 million members and the 68 million people who live in the communities it serves. This work includes the creation of the nation’s largest social health network, integrated with [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente)’s health care services, to meet the housing, food, and transportation needs of its members.

As chief health officer he also is accountable for the care of over 1 million [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) Medicaid members and those dually enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare.

Additionally, Dr. Choucair manages [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente)’s community health portfolio, including medical financial assistance and charitable care as well as grants and community health initiatives. He is also responsible for the organization’s environmental stewardship work leading to [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) becoming carbon neutral in 2020.

Dr. Choucair reports directly to [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente)’s chair and chief executive officer and is a member of the National Executive Team.

Bechara Choucair

Shields recently served as Head of Employee and Labor Relations for [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health).

Steve Shields

Kathy Lancaster is currently the EVP & CFO at [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente). Before that, they were with IKON Office Solutions from January 1996 to December 2008 where they were responsible for strategic account sales including equipment and software. Kathy has a strong focus on helping larger companies focus on core competences by enabling them to outsource their document production and management.

Kathy Lancaster attended the [University of Alabama at Birmingham](/org/university-of-alabama-at-birmingham), where they earned a degree in business. Kathy also holds a certification in business collaboration from [LinkedIn](/org/linkedin).

Kathy Lancaster works with Diane Comer - EVP & Chief Information Technology Officer, Ron Vance - Interim Regional President, Washington, and Steve Shields - SVP, National Labor Relations. Kathy Lancaster reports to Gregory A. Adams, Chairman and CEO.

Kathy Lancaster

Kim Horn is the EVP, Group President, Markets Outside of California at [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente). Kim has over 25 years of experience in the health insurance industry. Prior to joining [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente), Kim was the President and CEO of [Priority Health](/org/priority-health), a statewide insurer in Michigan offering a comprehensive and diversified portfolio of health and wellness solutions. Under Kim's leadership, [Priority Health](/org/priority-health) grew from 125,000 customers to over 625,000 customers and from $250M in revenue to $2.6B. Kim also served as the Chief Operating Officer of Mercy Health Plan (Care Choices) from 1988 to 1997 and as the Vice President of Finance Administration for Health Plan of Mid-America from 1986 to 1988.

Kim Horn's educational career includes a certificate in executive leadership from Harvard Business School Executive Education and a bachelor's degree from [University of Michigan-Flint](/org/university-of-michigan-flint).

Their manager is Gregory A. Adams, Chairman and CEO. Some of their coworkers include Diane Comer - EVP & Chief Information Technology Officer, Yazdi Bagli - EVP, Enterprise Business Services, and David Grossman - Interim Senior Vice President, Social and Community Health.

Kim Horn

Anthony A. Barrueta is the SVP of Government Relations at [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente). Anthony has over 25 years of experience working in the public and private sector on health care policy and related issues.

Anthony began their career as an associate attorney at Michaels & Wishner, P.C. where they worked on behalf of pharmacy benefit management companies and health maintenance organizations on health reform and prescription drug pricing legislation. Anthony then moved to Green, Stewart & Farber, P.C. where they represented financial and real estate clients in commercial litigation, and advised on health care transactions, hospital group purchasing, real estate leasing, and first amendment law.

In their current role at [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente), Anthony is responsible for leading the organization's government relations team. Anthony works with elected officials, regulators, and other key stakeholders to advance [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente)'s public policy agenda. Anthony also serves as a liaison to the Board of Directors on government affairs matters.

Anthony A. Barrueta holds a J.D. from [The University of Texas at Austin](/org/the-university-of-texas-at-austin) and an A.B. in Theirtory from [Boston College](/org/boston-college). Anthony has also completed the [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) Advanced Leadership Program at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Anthony is certified by the State Bar of California and the Bar Association of the District of Columbia, and is licensed to practice law in both California and the District of Columbia.

Their manager is Gregory A. Adams, Chairman and CEO. They are on a team with Arthur M. Southam - EVP, Health Plan Operations & Chief Growth Officer, Steve Shields - SVP, National Labor Relations, and Vanessa M. Benavides - SVP, Chief Legal Officer.

Anthony A. Barrueta

Meg Porfido has had an extensive and varied career in the business world. Meg is currently the Director at [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente), and previously held the position of Advisor at [PSP Investments](/org/psp-investments) from December 2018 to December 2020. Prior to that, they were a Board Member at Rally Software from February 2015 to July 2015, and also served on the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating & Corporate Governance committees. Meg has also been a Chief HR Officer at Level 3 Communications from September 1998 to December 2008, and a Board Member at Energjze Colorado. Most recently, they were a Board Member at Crucible Acquisition Corporation. Throughout their many years in the business world, Meg has proven herself to be a competent and capable leader.

Meg Porfido

Ruth E. Williams-Brinkley is the regional president of Mid-Atlantic States at [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente). Ruth has previously served as the president and CEO of [Carondelet Health Network](/org/carondelet-health-network-inc) and Memorial Health Care System. Ruth has also been the senior vice president of performance management at Catholic Health Initiatives.

Williams-Brinkley has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Ruth is a skilled executive with a proven track record in developing successful partnerships, post-merger integration, operations improvement, team development, and culture shaping. Ruth was the inaugural president and CEO of a newly merged system, and they successfully integrated the operations of three very distinct legacy organizations.

Williams-Brinkley is a passionate advocate for population health and they have developed and implemented ACO/clinically integrated network to facilitate movement to population health. Under their leadership, the financial performance of the combined organizations has significantly improved.

Ruth Williams-Brinkley earned their Master of Science in Nursing Administration from De Paul University.

Some of their coworkers include Stephanie Ledesma - Interim Senior Vice President, Community Health Programs, Ron Vance - Interim Regional President, Washington, and Julie Miller-Phipps - Regional President, Southern California. Their manager is Gregory A. Adams, Chairman and CEO.

Ruth E. Williams-Brinkley

Catherine Hernandez is currently the SVP & Chief Communications Officer at [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente). Catherine has over 20 years of experience in public relations, marketing, and communications. 

Catherine started their career at Internet Pictures Corporation (iPIX) in 2000 as the Director of Corporate Marketing. Catherine was responsible for corporate positioning, strategic marketing, and public relations for a $12 million imaging software company. In 2003, they joined Kaiser Foundation Health Plan as the Vice President of Public Relations & Communications. At Kaiser, they lead the national teams that develop and deliver public relations, internal communications, and media relations strategies. Catherine also partners with regional leaders and teams to coordinate public relations and communications activities across the organization.

Throughout their career, Catherine has been responsible for contributing to organizational business goals through the implementation of programs and campaigns that reach internal and external stakeholder groups. Catherine has extensive experience in developing branding, media communications, and marketing programs designed to penetrate new markets and drive new revenue. Her experience also includes managing all internal communications, trade shows, product launches, market research programs, corporate websites, and 10K and annual reports.

Catherine Hernandez has a BS in Journalism from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Catherine also has a degree in English from California State University-Sacramento. Catherine has completed the [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) Executive Leadership Program at [Harvard Business School](/org/harvard-business-school).

Catherine Hernandez works with Kathy Lancaster - EVP & CFO, Jeff Collins - Regional President, Northwest, and Arthur M. Southam - EVP, Health Plan Operations & Chief Growth Officer. Catherine Hernandez reports to Gregory A. Adams, Chairman and CEO.

Catherine Hernandez

Diane Comer is executive vice president and chief information technology officer for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals. In this role, Comer is responsible for the ongoing leadership of [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente)’s information technology vision, strategy, and execution.

As CITO, Comer leads a team of more than 6,000 employees, designing and implementing technical solutions with a focus on improving overall quality and return on investment, while also reducing costs. Comer also drives the introduction of new digital technologies that improve access to care in a member and patient-centered environment. She reports directly to [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente)’s chair and chief executive officer and is a member of the National Executive Team and the CEO Executive Committee.  

Comer previously led [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente)’s Health Plan IT organization, delivering technology solutions supporting all marketing, sales, service, and administration functions. Comer has built a reputation for driving transformational programs across [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente). She led the implementation of the technology systems needed to support the Affordable Care Act and health insurance exchanges for [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente), in addition to the delivery of a nationwide claims platform, a telephony system which now supports a million calls a month to our multiple contact centers – among the highest call volume in the nation, and technology solutions for regulatory initiatives such as ICD-10.

Comer joined [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) in 2007, bringing extensive leadership experience in application development, project management, enterprise architecture, IT strategy, and data center management. Prior to joining [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente), she held positions at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, including chief technology officer. Her responsibilities included application development and maintenance, and management of infrastructure and data center services.

Comer holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Additionally, Comer has attended executive leadership programs at the Wharton School and [Harvard University](/org/harvard). She is a 2012 Computerworld Premier 100 IT Leaders Award winner.

Diane Comer

Jeff Collins is president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of the Northwest. In this role, Collins oversees all of [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente)’s care delivery and health plan operations in Oregon and markets in Vancouver and Longview/Kelso, Washington. The Northwest Region operates 2 hospitals, 36 medical centers, and 21 dental offices and has 633,096 medical members and 291,255 dental members.

Collins reports to the group president for markets outside California, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals.

Collins joined [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) in 2008, serving most recently as senior vice president, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals, for the Northern California market. In this role, Collins co-led Northern California’s 14 service areas comprised of 21 hospitals and 257 medical offices and serving 4.5 million members. He also led several regional functions including Workplace Safety and the Labor Management Partnership and was the liaison for all shared services, including Supply Chain.

Prior to this, Collins was senior vice president and area manager in 3 Northern California service areas, most recently the East Bay Service Area, where he closely partnered with his colleagues to consistently deliver on organizational objectives in quality, growth, operational efficiency, employee engagement, and safety. 

Over a more than 35-year career in health care, Collins held progressive leadership roles in multiple health care organizations demonstrating an ability to lead complex systems in a variety of dynamic markets in California, Florida, and Michigan. Prior to joining [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente), Collins provided strategic, financial, operational, and staffing leadership at Bon Secours Cottage Health Services, including the critical transition to Beaumont Hospitals. Earlier in his career, he served in chief executive officer and chief operating officer roles at leading regional hospital systems.

Collins holds a master’s degree in health care administration from California State University, Long Beach, and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.

Jeff Collins

Christian Meisner is senior vice president and chief human resources officer of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals. In this role, Meisner oversees all aspects of enterprise human resources strategy and operations.

He reports directly to [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente)’s chairman and chief executive officer and is a member of the National Executive Team.

Meisner joined [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) in April 2020 and brings nearly 30 years of experience across multiple industries and geographies, deep expertise in labor relations, and a demonstrated ability to lead culture change.

Most recently, Meisner was corporate vice president of talent and integration for United Technologies Corporation. Prior to that, he served as chief human resources officer for Otis Elevator Company, leading their HR function globally for 68,000 employees across 77 countries. With Otis, he modernized their HR operating model, created and championed culture-shaping initiatives, and improved their talent and succession planning process.

At United Technologies Corporation, he also served as vice president human resources for Sikorsky Aircraft and held multiple roles at Carrier Corporation, including leading the HR function for the Asia Pacific region.

Meisner began his career with HR roles at Ford Motor Company and Tribune Company.

Meisner holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from [Villanova University](/org/villanova-university) and a master’s degree in labor and industrial relations from [Michigan State University](/org/michigan-state-university).

Christian Meisner

Mark tortorich

Tina  Chauvin

Amina Suchoski

Phil Ruiz

Amy Barsnick

James Teems

Tyler Wahlquist

Michael Ramseier is regional president of [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) Colorado. In this role, Ramseier oversees all of [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente)’s care delivery and health plan operations in Colorado.

Ramseier is a veteran health plan executive with more than 25 years of experience in all aspects of health plan operations, clinical management, provider relations, and product development. Immediately prior to joining [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) in August of 2019, Ramseier served as executive vice president and market president for the Western region as well as the leader of the corporate network strategy organization of [Beacon Health Options](/org/beacon-health-options), a national leader in behavioral health management.

From 2011 to 2017, Ramseier served as president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado, implementing comprehensive changes to the delivery of care that improved access, quality and affordability while leading the organization to record growth and financial performance.

Prior to leading Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado, Ramseier served in a series of leadership positions with the organization over more than a decade, including vice president of provider engagement and contracting for the Western region, vice president of health care management in Colorado, and director of network development for Blue Cross of California.

Ramseier has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, and a master’s degree in health services administration from Saint Mary’s College of California.

Ramseier is a past president of the Colorado Association of Health Plans and has served on the Colorado Division of Insurance Health Care Cost Committee as well as the board of the American Heart Association Denver Chapter.

Michael Ramseier

Adams has 30 years of leadership experience as a senior health care executive and has been a key leader in driving the organization's mission forward, strengthening company culture, and ensuring [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) continues to be a great place to work. Since 2016, he has served as Executive Vice President and Group President, with direct responsibility for health plan and hospital operations in all 8 [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) regions. Adams' accountabilities included co-leading Enterprise Shared Services to serve the operational needs of the regions and leading [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente)'s national Medicare care delivery strategy. Prior to that, he was named Regional President of [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) for Northern California in April 2008. In July 2013, he was appointed Executive Vice President.

Gregory A. Adams

Ron Vance is the interim president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington.

In this role, Vance oversees all aspects of the care delivery and health plan operations for [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) in Washington. The Washington Region operates 38 medical facilities and has more than 680,135 members.

Vance reports directly to the group president for markets outside California, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals.

Vance previously served as interim president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Hawaii, where he led substantial transformation of operational and financial performance. He has more than 25 years of experience in the health benefits and insurance industry.

Vance joined [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) from [Alvarez & Marsal](/org/alvarez-marsal)’s Healthcare Industry Group. As managing director and co-head of the health insurance and managed care practice, he assisted numerous health plans and clinical organizations with financial and operational due diligence for potential acquisitions, and developed and executed custom solutions to drive performance improvement. Additionally, he has advised executive teams and boards of medical groups to align incentives, improve value-based contracting structures, and improve operations in population health management, virtual care, and ambulatory care delivery.

Vance’s experience includes serving as interim chief operating officer for a $1.6 billion health plan, assisting the return of a regional health plan to financial sustainability, and the integration of a major health plan with a national health insurer. Earlier in his career, he was president of the emerging markets division of [Cigna](/org/cigna-corporation) and founded the Salus Strategy Group, a Washington, D.C.-based consultancy that provided strategic guidance and support to companies across the health care industry.

Vance received his undergraduate degree from Florida State College. He serves as associate faculty at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and also serves on the board of directors for [Mercy Health Clinic](/org/mercy-health-clinic), which cares for uninsured, low-income adult residents in Maryland.

Ron Vance

Shakeya A. McDow is interim senior vice president and chief compliance and privacy officer for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals.

In this role, McDow is responsible for planning, oversight, and coordination of activities to drive effective compliance with regulatory requirements and policies across [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) markets. In collaboration with leadership across the organization, she leads the development of strategies to embed ethics and compliance into the core design and operations of the organization and foster a work environment where employees and physicians do the right thing to protect our members, patients, and the communities we serve.

McDow reports directly to the Audit and Compliance Committee of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals boards of directors. She is a member of the National Executive Team.

McDow joined [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) in 2016.

Shakeya A. Mcdow


Vanessa M. Benavides
Vanessa M. Benavides is senior vice president and chief legal officer for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals.

Benavides serves as the general counsel and manages the legal, compliance, and regulatory functions. In this role, she is responsible for implementing an integrated approach to foster a better understanding of enterprise risks and solutions, while advancing support of our evolving business strategies.

Benavides reports directly to [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente)’s chair and chief executive officer and is a member of the National Executive Team.

Benavides joined [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) in 2015 as chief compliance and privacy officer.

Vanessa M. Benavides

David Grossman

Stephanie Ledesma

Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, is president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of Northern California. In this role, Owen Plietz oversees all of Kaiser Permanente’s care delivery and health plan operations in Northern California. As the area’s largest nonprofit health plan, Kaiser Permanente provides care for more than 4.5 million members through its 21 hospitals and 259 medical offices in Northern California. 

Owen Plietz reports to Kaiser Permanente’s executive vice president, group president and chief operating officer, care delivery.

Owen Plietz joined Kaiser Permanente in November 2020. Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente, Owen Plietz spent nearly 5 years with Wellstar Health System in Atlanta where she served as executive vice president, chief operating officer for the organization’s Hospital Division, which includes 11 hospitals, multiple outpatient centers, nursing homes, and other facilities and services. Owen Plietz previously spent 17 years at Sutter Health, a Northern California regional integrated health care system, serving as both chief operating officer and chief administrative officer of multi-hospital entities, and finally as CEO of Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento.

Owen Plietz currently serves as chair-elect for the American College of Healthcare Executives, which has 48,000 members worldwide, and chair-elect of the Healthcare Executives Study Society. She is board certified in health care management as an ACHE fellow.

Owen Plietz holds a master’s degree in health administration and health law fellowship from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, and a bachelor’s degree in health administration from James Madison University. 

Carrie Owen Plietz

Paul Swenson

Julie Miller-Phipps

Linda R. Horne is senior vice president of business optimization and redesign for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals.

In this role, in partnership with the Permanente Medical Groups, Horne works closely with clinical and operational leaders, employees, and labor partners across our regions, markets, and functions to identify, plan, and implement opportunities to improve our quality, effectiveness, and affordability.

Horne reports directly to Kaiser Permanente’s chairman and chief executive officer. She is a member of the National Executive Team.

Horne joined Kaiser Permanente Northern California in 2017 as vice president of portfolio management and performance strategy, responsible for connecting strategy and operations across all functions in the region to deliver consistent best performance, reducing duplication and inefficiency.

Before joining Kaiser Permanente, Horne was vice president, Innovation, Transformation, and Advisory Services at Salesforce where she created and managed new services products. At Telstra, an Australian telecommunications company, she developed business partnerships and strategic ventures in the United States and integrated them into operations, and governed all companywide strategic change initiatives. Previously, in senior leadership roles at Accenture, Convergys, and Cygent, Horne delivered customer-focused business solutions that positively impacted growth and employee effectiveness, and created measurable value. 

Horne holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from UC San Diego and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors in Melbourne, Australia. 

Linda Horne

Yazdi Bagli is executive vice president of Enterprise Business Services for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals.

In this role, Bagli leads the Enterprise Business Services function, comprised of key shared services and operations that support the Kaiser Permanente enterprise.

He reports directly to Kaiser Permanente’s chairman and chief executive officer and is a member of the National Executive Team and the CEO Executive Committee.

Bagli is accountable for expanding and accelerating the shared business services strategy across the organization to drive high-quality, cost-effective services in support of Kaiser Permanente’s mission. He leads an integrated portfolio of services, including IT Operations and Enterprise Operations Technologies, Buy to Pay, Clinical Technology, Health Care Continuity and Support Services, National Facilities Services, Revenue Management, Shared Services Strategy and Business Solutions Group, National Security Services, and Strategic Services and Business Management.

Bagli has nearly 30 years of global leadership in shared services IT, digital strategy, and business transformation. Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente, Bagli led enterprise business services at Walmart, including shared services and IT for finance, human resources, procurement, call centers, workplace services, and automation as a service. Bagli also spent more than 20 years at Procter & Gamble, serving in progressive leadership roles in 4 countries, deploying and running large-scale IT systems, leading large business transformation programs, and gaining expertise in running global shared services.

Bagli holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Shivaji University, India, and a Master of Business Administration from University of Mumbai, India. He attended the Executive Education program on IT Strategy at the Harvard Business School. Bagli is a certified project management professional from the Project Management Institute and a certified trainer for Seven Habits of Highly Successful People from the FranklinCovey Institute. 

Kaiser Permanente

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