Elizabeth Russell Named Chief Executive Officer
of SCAN Health Plan Arizona
(PHOENIX, AZ – February 10, 2011) — Elizabeth Russell has been named chief executive officer of SCAN Health Plan Arizona and SCAN Long Term Care Arizona, effective immediately. Russell has been a senior vice president of SCAN since 2005, responsible for provider strategies, network management and claims operations.
“I am very excited to assume this new position and help SCAN further its not-for-profit mission of assisting seniors and others on Medicare in Arizona to lead an independent, healthy lifestyle,” said Russell. “As our community ages, SCAN will be there to help make sure that the proper resources and services are available, affordable and accessible to seniors throughout Maricopa and Pima Counties.”
SCAN originally entered the Arizona market in 2006 when it was awarded a contract by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System to provide long-term care services to low-income elderly and physically disabled Arizonans enrolled in the Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) program in Maricopa County. In 2008 SCAN began offering a Medicare Advantage plan and now covers almost 15,000 members in Maricopa and, starting this year, Pima Counties.
Since its launch, SCAN has demonstrated a strong community presence that Russell calls “essential to the goals and mission” of the health plan. Supporting programs and education that enrich the lives of seniors, SCAN is a major sponsor for such events as the Senior Olympics and fundraising walks that benefit pertinent health issues like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. SCAN also operates the Connections Resource Center in Phoenix, which offers vital programs and classes for seniors in Maricopa County. In addition, last month the plan announced that its strong commitment to health promotion is heading “on the road” with its “Classroom in the Community” health and wellness programs to be offered at community locations and senior centers throughout Maricopa and Pima counties.
“As a not-for-profit organization, we have a unique opportunity to make an impact on the lives of seniors by investing in the programs and education that matter most to them,” said Russell, who lives in Phoenix. “Our expansion this year into Pima County will allow us to share more than 30 years of expertise with even more seniors in the state. This is particularly important as society ages and people live longer and, hopefully, healthier lives.”
Prior to joining SCAN, Russell held senior executive positions with HealthCare Partners Medical Group, Heritage Provider Organization, and United Health Plan (formerly PacifiCare). In those roles she was responsible for business development, operations, and physician and network strategy. Russell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pitzer College and an MBA from the University of Southern California.
About SCAN Health Plan
SCAN Health Plan is the country’s fourth largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plan, currently serving nearly 130,000 members in California and Arizona. SCAN Health Plan Arizona has been named one of the area’s best places to work by the Arizona Business Journal, one of the state’s most admired companies by Arizona Business Magazine, and one of the nation’s best places to work in healthcare by Modern Healthcare. Further information may be obtained at http://www.scanhealthplan.com.
Members of the news media may contact:
Carol Stevenson
818-597-8453, ext. 3
carols@kevinross.net
