North Highland Appoints Dr. Ricardo Martinez as Chief Medical Officer

ATLANTA, Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Global consulting company, North Highland, has announced the addition of Ricardo Martinez, M.D., FACEP as its first chief medical officer. As a nationally recognized board-certified emergency physician and thought leader in healthcare, Dr. Martinez will expand North Highland's robust healthcare services in the clinical side of its consulting work. He will help North Highland provide guidance to health systems around the healthcare dyad leadership model. As traditional lines between providers, payers and clinicians evolve and new market models emerge, the dyad model offers strategic approaches that focus on integrating the delivery of cost-effective and quality care to patients and populations.

"Ric Martinez has dedicated his career to improving the overall quality of healthcare and brings a strategic clinical approach that will expand our healthcare services to our clients," said Dave Deiters, president of North Highland. "His proven track record and compelling leadership abilities will be a tremendous asset as we help our clients navigate the complex healthcare ecosystem that includes enhanced physician integration and engagement and clinical transformation to support the transition to value-driven care."

Prior to joining North Highland, Dr. Martinez held numerous leadership positions in the public and private sector, as well as academics. Most recently, Dr. Martinez served as a division president and as executive vice president of medical affairs for The Schumacher Group for seven years. While there, Dr. Martinez oversaw administrative and clinical operations for one of the largest emergency department management firms in the nation, serving more than 180 hospitals in 23 states. In addition, he was the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and since 1988, has been the senior medical advisor to the National Football League for the Super Bowl.

"North Highland is excited to work with one of the most respected leaders in the healthcare industry, and we look forward to sharing Ric's expertise with our clients," said Fletcher Lance, national healthcare leader and vice president of North Highland. "His philosophy on physician and hospital integration will be especially valuable as most of the nation's healthcare providers will move into this model over the next few years."

As a result of his work, Dr. Martinez has received numerous awards from national organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American Trauma Society, the National Association of EMS Physicians, and was elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine. He also currently serves as an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Emory University School of Medicine and practices clinically at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

About North Highland
North Highland is a global consulting company with a proven record of enabling great returns on our clients' investment. Our high-caliber consultants offer deep experience and expertise across many diverse industries and service areas.

We specialize in solving tough business challenges, being easy to work with, and nurturing long-standing relationships with the most recognizable brands in the world. Ask any of our clients, and they'll tell you. For more information, visit www.northhighland.com.  

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SOURCE North Highland