Joseph M. Ruggio

Joseph M. Ruggio, M.D., has served as a Director of the company since February 1997. Dr. Ruggio is a practicing interventional cardiologist. Since June 1994, Dr. Ruggio has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Cardiovascular Associates Medical Group, Inc., a large cardiovascular professional corporation. He also serves as Chairman and President of Via Vitae, a cardiovascular disease management company, which was founded in February 1996. Prior to that, Dr. Ruggio served as founder and Chairman of UltiMed, Inc., a cardiovascular medical services organization, which was founded in July 1995. From August 1985 to December 1995, he served as Chairman of the Department of Cardiology and Director of Invasive Interventional Cardiology for FHP, Inc. Dr. Ruggio has served on the board of directors of Monarch Healthcare, a large Southern California IPA recently acquired by Optum, for over 10 years. He also serves on the Medical Advisory panel for CalOptima, a Federal and California State Medicare and Medicaid organization serving 780,000 members. Dr. Ruggio has served on numerous committees of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and was recognized as Cardiologist of the Year by the ACC in 2007. In September 2014, Dr. Ruggio received the CalOptima Circle of Care Award, which was accompanied by California State Legislative and U.S. Congressional recognition for excellence in care. He holds patents in several cardiovascular devices and inventions.