Showing Up for Our Members: My Commitment to Access & Affordability

01.02.2025 | 2 min read

As the President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, I have the privilege of leading a nonprofit mutual health insurance organization that serves over five million members nationwide. I take to heart the responsibility of leading BCBSM into its next chapter. The foundation of who I am goes back to my family’s 130-year-old dairy farm in Northern Michigan. There, I learned the value of hard work, showing up with purpose, and caring for others. Those lessons continue to guide me today. I have held several senior leadership roles in my nearly 20 years working at this company, most recently as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and President of the Emerging Markets Division. It has given me a grounding in what our organization is today and what it needs to be in the future. Health care is at a turning point, with immense opportunities and significant challenges. My vision for BCBSM is centered on the people we serve. We serve them best by continuing to transform, innovate and deliver value. We represent them by staying grounded in our commitment to accessible, affordable care every day.

With a mix of anticipation, excitement and a feeling of deep responsibility, today marks my first day as President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. I realize just how pivotal this moment is for our company and our industry. Our members need affordable, accessible health care that’s easy to understand and use. Ensuring affordability is harder than ever before, and there’s no quick fix to the issues we face. It’s a tremendous weight and something I will never take lightly. I’m ready to get to work.

As I look back on the nearly 20 years at Blue Cross that helped prepare me for this role, I also reflect on the values I learned growing up on my family’s dairy farm in Northern Michigan. There, my favorite motto was formed: “The world is run by those who show up.” On the farm, we learned to show up, work hard, and get the job done. I didn’t have the luxury of skipping a day, no matter the weather or the season. I learned early that showing up, even on the toughest days, is what makes the difference. I approach this job with that same work ethic. It’s a role that requires me to show up every day—ready to tackle tough issues and partner with the people we serve.

I know from experience about the profound impact that accessible and affordable health care can have on individuals and communities. I didn’t have health insurance until my first job out of college at 22. It’s something that’s given me a deep appreciation for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s mission.

There’s no shortage of tough issues to tackle in health care today — especially in the areas of access and affordability. Prescription and specialty drug prices are skyrocketing, and the cost of health care services continues to rise. Groundbreaking new treatments for conditions once thought untreatable must be balanced against the high costs putting considerable pressure on keeping health care affordable for everyone. The real impact of these pressures is being felt by our customers and members. Health care has changed dramatically, and so must we.

Whether you’re a member, colleague, customer or a fellow Michiganian, I welcome you to join me on this blog as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan navigates through what’s to come with resilience, innovation and commitment to doing what’s best for those we serve. I look forward to sharing with you along the way.

Here’s to the future. Let’s get to work.

Showing Up for Our Members: My Commitment to Access & Affordability

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