Hughes named President and CEO of Fallon Community Health Plan
Board of Directors cites proven leadership and focus on results
Worcester, Mass., April 20, 2010—Fallon Community Health Plan’s (FCHP) Board of Directors today announced that it has named W. Patrick (“Pat”) Hughes as President and CEO.
Chairman David W. Hillis said the board believes Hughes is the right person to position the company for continued growth. Hughes had been serving as acting President and CEO since February 11.
“Today’s health care marketplace is about challenges and opportunities. Seizing the opportunities and overcoming the challenges are exactly where Pat’s strengths lie,” Hillis said. “Throughout his career in health care, Pat’s leadership has produced results.”
“Fallon Community Health Plan is unique in many ways—including our dual role as an insurer and a provider of care—and the board has every confidence that Pat will leverage our strengths to lead the company to further growth and innovation,” he added.
“Fallon Community Health Plan is like no other health plan I know, especially when it comes to value, quality and service,” Hughes said. “Helping guide this outstanding organization at such a dynamic time in the health insurance industry is a responsibility that I am honored to have. We have a very bright future, and I look forward to continuing to work with the leadership team on achieving our business goals for 2010 and beyond.”
Hughes joined FCHP in 2007 as Senior Vice President/Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, responsible for implementing and executing FCHP’s marketing and sales strategy in New England. That same year, he was named President of FCHP’s Health Plan Operations Division, which encompasses several areas including Customer Service, Sales, Marketing, Product Development, Care and Utilization Management and Information Technology.
Under Hughes’ leadership, FCHP’s membership in 2009 was the highest in the organization’s history. A significant portion of this growth occurred within FCHP’s limited network HMO product—which the company has been offering since 2002—and was driven by businesses looking for cost-saving health insurance alternatives. Earlier this month, and under the direction of Hughes, FCHP successfully went on-line with a new core business system. The new system will position FCHP to be even more responsive to marketplace needs and provide greater administrative efficiencies to customers.
Before joining FCHP, Hughes served as President and CEO of W. P. Hughes and Company, a successful consulting and brokerage firm he founded in New Hampshire. Prior to founding his own company, Hughes was Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Development for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA). Under his leadership, BCBSMA achieved unprecedented growth and profitability. Prior to joining BCBSMA, he served as the President of Employee Benefit Plan Administration, the largest third-party administrator in New England.
Hughes is on the board of directors of the VNA Care Network & Hospice in Worcester, Mass., and the Lowell Plan in Lowell, Mass.
A proud native of Everett, Mass., Hughes holds a bachelor’s of science degree from Boston University, and is a member of the university’s Scarlet Key Society and the BU athletic Hall of Fame. He is a 10-year veteran of the National Football League.
Lauren M. Petit
lauren.petit@fchp.org
About Fallon Community Health PlanFounded in 1977, Fallon Community Health Plan is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health care services organization. From traditional health insurance products available throughout Massachusetts for all populations, to innovative health care programs and services for independent seniors, FCHP supports the diverse and changing needs of all those it serves. FCHP has consistently ranked among the nation’s top health plans, and is the only health plan in Massachusetts to have been awarded “Excellent” Accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid products.