Matt Nyquist tapped as chief population health officer for Lifespark

Photo Courtesy of Lifespark

Former Optum executive Matt Nyquist has joined Lifespark as its chief population health officer and will lead the design, development and management of the company's global risk products and market expansion. In an announcement, Lifespark framed the move as a push to reduce costs for seniors and providers.

Lifespark, formerly Lifesprk, is a senior health company headquartered in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Its global risk model aims to reduce total risk and improve outcomes for seniors, providing a home-based delivery system through an integrated technology platform.

According to a statement from Nyquist, much of his focus initially will be on process and structure, bringing rigor around Lifespark's scalable product, Lifespark COMPLETE.

"The foundation of successful population health efforts is data, but many organizations fall short in providing metrics that demonstrate efficacy," Nyquist said. "We are building transparency in our results to create trust and alignment with our partners. Proving our model and delivering results that drive a better experience for seniors will be our biggest impact."

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

Lifespark CEO Joel Theisen, RN, said Nyquist has the right blend of expertise with value-based business models, products and contracting for member populations in a range of product types, including Medicare Advantage, Dually Eligible like MSHO, Institutional and Equivalent Special Needs Plans, and direct contracting.

"As we begin to scale to new markets beyond Minnesota in 2022, this role is a critical function," Theisen said. "The high-volume, low-value market is rapidly evolving for seniors."

Nyquist said he was drawn to Lifespark because he was looking for an entrepreneurial-minded company that was small but bold, with a differentiated product. 

"We are ready for scale and I'm excited to be part of this next phase to help seniors age magnificently not just in Minnesota, but nationally," he said.

THE LARGER TREND

Prior to joining Lifespark, Nyquist was the chief product officer/chief information officer for the Center for Digital Health with UnitedHealth Group – Optum, where he led the design, development and implementation of a new digital-first care model that combines digital health visits with in-person physician visits in a bid to make care more convenient. 

He was also Optum's chief information officer for population health, overseeing the technology division, which held $2 billion in population health business.

Nyquist has an MBA in Finance from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, Management, and Human Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also holds certification in executive leadership education from Stanford University, and in executive data science from University of Minnesota.
 

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com