Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota announces two medical directors

EAGAN, Minn., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) today announced two new medical directors. Aaron Friedkin, M.D. has joined Blue Cross as medical director for key accounts and Dan Trajano, M.D. has joined the company as senior medical director for the STARS and Risk Adjustment Center of Excellence.

Aaron Friedkin, M.D., medical director, key accounts

In his role as medical director for key accounts, Aaron Friedkin will provide clinical perspective and leadership to Blue Cross' national employer accounts. 

"Aaron comes to Blue Cross with extensive experience advising health care organizations on business strategy and clinical operations," said Garrett Black, senior vice president of health services at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. "He's well equipped to help our national employer accounts develop solutions specific to their needs, manage health costs and ensure that their employees receive high quality care." "His experience and knowledge in managing the unique health care needs of large organizations make him a valued partner for this area of our business."   

Friedkin most recently served as vice president of operations and business development at Imaging Advantage. He is a former management consultant with McKinsey and Co. Friedkin is board certified in both diagnostic and pediatric radiology and has been recognized as a "Top Doctor Rising Star" by Mpls. St. Paul magazine for the past two years.

Friedkin holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, and Doctor of Medicine and Master of Science degrees from Case Western Reserve University.

Dan Trajano, M.D., senior medical director, STARS and Risk Adjustment Center of Excellence

As medical director for the STARS and Risk Adjustment Center of Excellence, Dan Trajano is responsible for medical leadership on strategic initiatives to improve quality of medical care, health outcomes and member experience within the Medicare STARS Center for Excellence.

"Dan is a seasoned medical executive with experience in both hospital and health insurance settings. Based on his extensive experience across health care, he understands the importance of achieving high quality of care while also being able to manage costs," said Stacia Cohen, vice president of the STARS and Risk Adjustment Center of Excellence. "His leadership will be extremely valuable as we work to provide our Medicare members a high quality experience at affordable rates."

Trajano most recently served as vice president and executive medical director of population health at HealthEast Care System in St. Paul. His experience also includes medical leadership roles at Park Nicollet Health Services and Medica Health Plans.

Trajano has served on boards and chaired committees at the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, Minnesota Community Measurement, Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement, and American Medical Group Association. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine and an MBA in health care from the University of St. Thomas.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota's first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A nonprofit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.9 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago. Go to bluecrossmn.com to learn more.

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SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota