Greg Deavens
President and Chief Executive Officer, Independence Blue Cross
“With the substantial amounts of data we can access, health insurance providers can use analytics to shine a light on race-based disparities in health care.”
Mr. Deavens leads one of the nation’s largest health insurance providers. In addition to this role, he serves as chairman of the Board of Directors of Hartford HealthCare. He also serves on the boards of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, which represents Blue plans covering more than 100 million Americans; AHIP; The Executive Leadership Council; and the African American Museum in Philadelphia. As part of his responsibilities at Independence, Mr. Deavens serves on the boards of AmeriHealth Caritas, Tandigm Health, AmeriHealth Assurance, BCS Financial Corporation, and International Plan Solutions. He is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants (*CPA Inactive). Mr. Deavens earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Florida A&M University.
"With the substantial amounts of data we can access, health insurance providers can use analytics to shine a light on race-based disparities in health care."
What tools can health insurance providers employ to fight systemic racism in America’s health care system?
With the substantial amounts of data we can access, health insurance providers can use analytics to shine a light on race-based disparities in health care. That might include differences in prescribing practices, variation in treatment protocols, disparities in admission and discharge information, and of course differences in health care access and outcomes.
Which health care leader who is African American do you most admire, and why?
Ron Williams led Aetna as CEO for a decade and created significant growth and value. He also built a great track record developing and growing early-stage companies through his involvement in private equity. His leadership is widely admired, and he’s served as a director for a wide array of industries and companies, currently including American Express, Boeing, and Johnson & Johnson. Most significant to me, though, is that Ron is a down-to-earth individual who generously shares his expertise with emerging leaders. He is a great role model who happens to be African American.