Former Sanofi-aventis and US Oncology Executive Joins New Century Health as Chief Executive Officer

BREA, Calif., Jan. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- New Century Health announced today that its board of directors has appointed Atul Dhir, M.D., Ph.D., chief executive officer.  Dr. Dhir will spearhead the national expansion of New Century Health's specialty care management services focused on oncology and cardiology.  Water Street Healthcare Partners, a strategic private equity firm focused exclusively on health care that invested in New Century Health last year, recruited Dr. Dhir to the position.

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Dr. Dhir joins New Century Health from his position as CEO of BiPar Sciences, Inc., a Sanofi-aventis biotech subsidiary that develops new cancer drugs.  He previously served as a senior executive with US Oncology, the largest provider of cancer care in the United States.  During his 10 years with the company, Dr. Dhir led several businesses, including the company's Cancer Research Group, one of the nation's leading cancer drug development companies.  Dr. Dhir has also held senior positions in the health care division of Monsanto Company and at McKinsey & Company.

"Dr. Dhir possesses a rare combination of deep scientific expertise and years of operational experience. He has an impressive 20-year history of leading and growing highly specialized health care businesses focused on transforming care," said Steve Cosler, chairman of New Century Health and an operating partner with Water Street.  "Dr. Dhir clearly stood out as the leader best suited to building on New Century's strong foundation to expand its services to payers and providers across the country."

Dr. Dhir has advised numerous health care organizations and currently serves on the advisory boards of several health care companies.  He completed his doctorate of philosophy in molecular biology from the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.  He received his medical degree from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, India. 

"My career has been dedicated to leading innovative organizations that are committed to improving health care on a large scale.  New Century Health has a unique and collaborative approach to improving the quality of patient care, while reducing the administrative work and overall costs of medical care in cancer, cardiology and other specialties.  I am excited to lead and grow the company to deliver these urgently needed services to patients, payers and providers across the country," said Dr. Dhir.

Dr. Dhir assumes the CEO position immediately.

About New Century Health

New Century Health is a national specialty care management company that provides innovative technology and clinical solutions to enhance the quality of patient care, while reducing the administrative work and improving the cost efficiency associated with the delivery of care.  Its customers include both payers and doctors providing specialty care services to members of Medicare, Medicaid and commercial payers. New Century Health is a company of Water Street, a strategic private equity firm focused exclusively on health care. New Century Health is an official licensee of the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium™. To learn more about New Century Health, visit www.NewCenturyHealth.com.

SOURCE New Century Health