Allegheny Health CEO will join Highmark Health in special advisory role
John Paul will act as a special advisor to Highmark CEO, working on strategic initiatives to enhance health sector impact, the companies say.
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John Paul, president and CEO of Allegheny Health Network, will be joining Highmark Health as a special advisor to President and CEO David Holmberg, the companies announced Tuesday.
Paul will effectively act as a consultant, working on strategic initiatives that will assist Highmark's efforts to make an impact on the health sector.
However, Highmark spokeswoman Lynn Seay said it was too soon to divulge specifics about what duties Paul will be fulfilling in his new role.
"It's very early on in the process," said Seay. "We can't say exactly what those strategic initiatives will be."
Paul has worked closely will Highmark in the past. In 2011, he worked as a consultant for the organization, developing a new clinical network through the affiliation of West Penn Allegheny Health System, Jefferson Regional Medical Center, Saint Vincent Health System and Premier Medical Associates. He helped to form Allegheny Health in 2013, serving as president and CEO and helping to turn around the former WPAHS.
AHN expanded its reach during his tenure. During his time there, he helped develop a Level 2 trauma center at Forbes Regional Hospital, and was instrumental in the building of the Wexford Health and Wellness Pavilion. He also pushed for the opening of the Braddock Urgent Care Center, with the goal of filling a need in an underserved neighborhood.
His transition began last autumn, promoting a search for his replacement at Allegheny. Slated to fill Paul's shoes is Cynthia Hundorfean, who will join the company in February. She will be moving to Allegheny from the Cleveland Clinic, where she's been chief administrative officer since 2005. In her 30-plus year career, she's gleaned experience in hospital management, strategic alliances, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions.
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As chief administrative officer, Hundorfean had financial oversight of 25 clinical institutes -- encompassing over 190 sites and 23,000 employees -- as well as matrixed oversight of eight regional hospitals, 16 family health centers and Cleveland Clinic Florida.
She earned an executive MBA from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor's in healthcare management from Robert Meyers College. A member of the American Hospital Association and Medical Group Management Association, she'll be based in Allegheny's Pittsburgh office and report to Holmberg.
Twitter: @JELagasse
