Ex-Optum Everycare CEO to helm Confluent Health

Photo courtesy of Confluent Health

Dr. Kristi Henderson is leaving her role as CEO of Optum Everycare to take on the role of CEO at Confluent Health, a group of physical and occupational therapy companies.

Henderson has already begun work in her new role. Confluent Health's founder and CEO, Dr. Larry Benz, will take on an expanded position as executive director on the company's board of directors.

Twenty-five years in various healthcare leadership roles have seen Henderson lead digitally enabled care-delivery organizations at two Fortune 500 companies, a national nonprofit health system and an academic medical center.

According to Confluent, she is "renowned for her ability to execute a modern approach to healthcare delivery at scale in complex and geographically dispersed organizations," while maintaining focus on the patient and clinician's experience.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

Prior to joining Confluent, Henderson was the CEO of Optum Everycare and the senior vice president of the Center for Digital Health and Innovation at Optum, a division of UnitedHealth Group.

She previously led clinical operations for Amazon Care, and served as Ascension Health's SVP for patient access, virtual care and care coordination. Henderson continues to serve as the board chair for the American Telemedicine Association.

Confluent said she will steer the company's strategic direction, oversee day-to-day outpatient and clinical operations, and drive continued growth and expansion.

Benz, who founded Confluent Health in 2014 and has served as CEO since its inception, will continue to provide strategic guidance and support to the company, said Confluent.

THE LARGER TREND

Optum Everycare, a subsidiary of Optum, is a virtual-first care company that connects employees to primary and urgent care virtually or in person.

The company operates 24/7 in all 50 states. When someone needs in-person care, they're transitioned to one of more than 56,000 providers at about 1,600 Optum and MedExpress clinics. Optum Everycare can also work with employers' preferred networks and provide in-home care.

In addition to her other roles, Henderson is an adjunct faculty member in Population Health at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas-Austin and at the University of Washington School of Nursing.

She has testified before multiple U.S. Senate committees and given numerous presentations across the country, including a TEDx, to advance telehealth policy and share innovative new models of care.

According to Optum, a few of her other leadership roles include service as an executive board member for the American Telemedicine Association; Association of American Medical Colleges Telehealth Committee member, American Nurses Association co-chair for Committee on Connected Health and National Quality Forum Telehealth Committee.

ON THE RECORD

"I am honored and excited to be the new CEO of Confluent Health," said Henderson. "The company is poised to make a significant impact on the healthcare industry, and I look forward to working with Larry and the entire team to build on their successes and drive even greater growth and innovation."

"We are thrilled to have Dr. Henderson join us as our new CEO," said Benz. "Her extensive experience and expertise in healthcare innovation, patient-centered care, and telehealth will be invaluable as we continue our national expansion and deepen community connections. I am confident that she will lead us to even greater success."
 

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com