Tampa, Fla – September 15, 2010 – Michael Unhjem, a member of Health
Integrated, Inc.’s Board of Directors, passed away yesterday at his home in North
Dakota.
“We are saddened at the news of the passing of one of our Health Integrated family
members,” said Shan Padda, chairman and CEO of Health Integrated. “Michael was an
asset to our Board and our company. He was passionate about our mission and contributed
invaluable insight across the broad spectrum of healthcare gleaned from his deep
and diverse experience. He was a well-known industry veteran and public servant
who quickly became a trusted advisor and friend. We will miss him greatly and send
our condolences to his family.”
Unhjem, the former president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota,
was unanimously elected to Health Integrated’s board in 2009 due to his deep industry
experience, public servitude and strong personal commitment to improving healthcare
outcomes and affordability.
“Michael provided wisdom and guidance as we navigated the rapidly changing healthcare
landscape,” said Steve Wigginton, president of Health Integrated. “He was a driving
force of change in healthcare and a strong supporter of parity for mental and behavioral
health services. His understanding of the opportunities and challenges our customers
face helped us greatly in an advisory capacity. He was particularly well respected
by health plan executives and was instrumental in introducing the company to key
opportunities.”
While at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Unhjem led the development of innovative
programs that improved the delivery of care while reducing costs for members. He
was instrumental in launching an industry-leading Patient Centered Medical Home
(PCMH) initiative for members with diabetes that became a cornerstone of Blue Cross
Blue Shield of North Dakota’s approach to improving quality of care and reducing
emergency room visits and hospitalizations for those with chronic illnesses.
Unhjem’s past experience included public service: a presidential appointment and
confirmation by the U.S. Senate to serve on the National Council of Disability under
President George H.W. Bush and 12 years in the House of Representatives, serving
on the Appropriations Committee.
Unhjem also had been past president of the National Mental Health Association (now
known as Mental Health America), helping draft legislation that created an innovative
health insurance program subsidized by the state of North Dakota for the medically
uninsurable.
Unhjem also held positions on several corporate and not-for-profit boards.
About Health Integrated
Health Integrated is the leading innovation partner for health plans, providing
evidence-based solutions to accelerate achievement of health management goals for
clinical outcomes, quality measures and cost containment. For more information,
visit www.healthintegrated.com.
Mike Miniati
Vice President, Marketing
Health Integrated, Inc.
email: mminiati@healthintegrated.com
813.388.4030
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