Articles

Nichols chief medical officer United Health Care West Region

Category: Health Published on Thursday, 11 February 2010 10:34 Written by Courier Newsroom

CYPRESS, Calif.–UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group company, has named Dr. Sandra Bruce Nichols chief medical officer, West Region.

DR. SANDRA BRUCE NICHOLS

Dr. Bruce Nichols will focus on helping ensure access to and use of appropriate medical services for UnitedHealthcare plan participants, promoting quality clinical care and positive patient outcomes, and effectively managing health care costs.  She will also maintain relationships with contracted physicians and physician organizations throughout the region and collaborate with other staff physicians to achieve quality objectives.

Dr. Bruce Nichols brings to her position more than 15 years of experience in health care, medical education and medical management.  Previously, she was the national medical director of clinical performance for AmeriChoice, a UnitedHealth Group company that serves beneficiaries of Medicaid and other government-sponsored health care programs. Also, she was director and commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Health; a cabinet member for Arkansas governors Jim Guy Tucker and Mike Huckabee; and regional CEO of Amerigroup Corp. in the District of Columbia and Virginia.

“Sandra’s outstanding leadership in multiple health care settings, her clinical expertise and direct care and administrative experience will help enhance patient outcomes and drive a more efficient and effective health care system for our customers throughout the region,” said Sam Ho, M.D., UnitedHealthcare’s executive vice president and chief medical officer.

Dr. Bruce Nichols is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice.  She earned her medical degree from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine.

UnitedHealthcare provides a full spectrum of consumer-oriented health benefits plans and services to individuals, public sector employers and businesses.