FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2012
MEDIA CONTACT:
John Pitts
716-887-8525
HealthNow New York Inc. Promotes Raghu Ram, M.D.
Vice President and Chief Medical Officer
Buffalo, New York – HealthNow New York Inc., d/b/a BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and BlueShield of Northeastern New York, promoted Raghu Ram, M.D., a veteran of the local health care industry and practicing physician, to vice president and chief medical officer.
Dr. Ram will focus on improving the quality and value of medical care for the company, its members and the Western New York community. He will drive initiatives to help the company’s 800,000 members better navigate the changing health care system, and work with local physicians to deliver quality health care outcomes. He will continue to supervise the company’s medical directors in all locations.
He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, a member of the American College of Physician Executives, the American Academy of Family Practice, the American Board of Family Medicine and the Medical Society of the State of New York/Erie County Medical Society. In addition to serving as chief medical officer, Dr. Ram will continue as a physician partner at Primary Care of Western New York.
Prior to his appointment, Ram served as BlueCross BlueShield’s senior medical director where he developed physician- and hospital-centric policies and programs, and was instrumental in refining the company’s health care coverage options and services. Ram formerly served as chief of family medicine at Kenmore Mercy Hospital and associate medical director for Univera Healthcare.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, and medical degree, from the State University of News York at Buffalo. Ram was a founding chair of the physician’s committee and instrumental in the creation of HEALTHeLINK, Western New York’s clinical information exchange.
Dr. Ram is a resident of Clarence, New York where he lives with his wife, Pavani, and their three children.
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About HealthNow New York Inc:
HealthNow New York Inc. is one of New York’s leading health care companies that provide access to quality health care and innovative solutions for members throughout upstate New York. The company has helped millions of people gain access to health care. Today, HealthNow offers a full range of insured, self-insured, and government programs and services covering businesses, families, and individuals, as well as life and disability coverage, dental and vision plans and stop-loss coverage. The company contributes significantly to organizations that promote physical health, community health and our region’s health, and HealthNow employees also raise and donate several hundred thousand dollars each year. Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, the company operates BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York (Buffalo, NY) and BlueShield of Northeastern New York (Albany, NY).