Meridian Health Plan CEO Named An Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2013

DETROIT, June 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- David B. Cotton, MD, Founder and CEO of Meridian Health Plan was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2013 in the Michigan and Northwest Ohio region for Consumer Services. Winners were announced on Thursday, June 20 during an awards gala at the MGM Grand, Detroit.

"Building this company over the past 15 years and working with all of the wonderful Meridian family has been an honor and a privilege," Dr. Cotton said. "Each and every employee is part of this award. I would not be where I am today without their confidence and commitment."

Now in its 27th year, the award recognizes outstanding high-growth entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. With his guidance, Meridian Health Plan grew from a small Michigan-only Medicaid plan, into a multi-state, multi-business company.

"Dr. Cotton's vision has led Meridian's remarkable, development and growth, in addition to the time and resources he devotes to community stewardship," said Thomas Lauzon, CIO of Meridian Health Plan. "Dr. Cotton continually drives programs and processes to improve the service we provide to the members and providers we serve."

The 10 winners were selected from 33 finalists by an independent panel of judges. The Michigan and Northwest Ohio regional award winners now go on to compete at the national level. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the National Entrepreneur Of The Year Overall Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif., on Nov.16. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum^®, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year^®

Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award recognizes the significant contributions of entrepreneurs who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.

About Meridian Health Plan

Meridian Health Plan is a physician-owned, physician-operated health plan with extensive experience in its subsidiary operations in Michigan, Illinois and Iowa. Meridian's affiliates include Medicaid and Medicare health plans and MeridianRx, a Pharmacy Benefit Management company. Meridian Health Plan currently serves over 300,000 Medicaid members. For more information, visit www.mhplan.com.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 167,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential. For more information, please visit ey.com.

SOURCE Meridian Health Plan