TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), a leading provider of managed care services for government-sponsored health care programs, announced today that Traci Thompson Ferguson, M.D., WellCare's chief medical director of medical management, has been appointed to the National Quality Forum's (NQF) Disparities Standing Committee, a new multi-stakeholder committee that seeks to eliminate health care disparities through measurement. The committee, which began its work on Dec. 3, will serve as a resource for all NQF activities, including the evaluation, selection, recommended use and improvement of quality measurements.
NQF, a leading national organization that works to improve health and health care quality, selected 22 committee members. Each of these individuals has a depth of experience and expertise in measuring and improving health care disparities.
"Everyone deserves the opportunity to live a full life, but for many, social factors such as poverty, socioeconomic status, education and cultural and environmental factors serve as barriers to optimal health," said Michael Radu, WellCare's senior vice president of clinical operations and business development. "We are pleased that Dr. Ferguson will have an opportunity to affect the important work that NQF is doing to address health disparities."
"NQF's Disparities Standing Committee is a powerhouse group of talented individuals who care deeply about ensuring that everyone can access good health care and be as healthy as possible," said Christine K. Cassel, NQF president and CEO. "Dr. Ferguson's input will be invaluable as the committee works to provide the roadmap we need to effectively eliminate persistent health care disparities."
"I am honored by this appointment and look forward to working with my committee colleagues and NQF to make a meaningful difference in the health and quality of life of those who face disparities that impact their ability to get the care and services they need," said Dr. Ferguson.
In her role as WellCare's chief medical director of medical management, Dr. Ferguson is responsible for the implementation and adherence of enterprise medical policy; new clinical programs within the department; and oversight and mentorship of the medical directors, who support clinical determinations and contribute to full compliance with regulatory and contracted government customers.
Dr. Ferguson earned a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and a doctor of medicine degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She served as both a faculty member and clinical instructor at the University of Maryland Medical Center and at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. As a board certified internal medicine physician, she actively worked on various hospital quality initiatives and process improvement projects before transitioning to medical management in 2010.
Dr. Ferguson is board certified in internal medicine through the American Board of Internal Medicine and has active medical licenses in California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina and Texas.
To learn more about the Disparities Standing Committee, visit NQF's website.
About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. WellCare serves approximately 3.8 million members nationwide as of Sept. 30, 2015. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.
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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
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