NEWS RELEASE
November 12, 2014
Contact: Veronica Mikitka Reed, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 215.434.7194
PHILADELPHIA, PA—Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities, is proud to announce that Denise Christian, PHMC Board Chair and National Vice President of Clinical Coverage Review at UnitedHealthcare, has been honored as a 2014 Woman of Distinction by the Philadelphia Business Journal. Dr. Christian and the other 30 winners will be recognized on November 18 at Vie as the region's most dynamic and influential business women who have made a difference in their communities.
"We are thrilled that Denise has been honored for her incredible accomplishments and commitment to the health care industry," said Richard Cohen, President and CEO of PHMC. "She is a tireless advocate for quality health care in our region and has contributed great service to PHMC and our family of programs and affiliates."
Denise Christian, M.D., is a successful, board-certified physician and executive with more than 20 years of for-profit managed care experience. Dr. Christian has developed new proposals and bids for business growth opportunities, developed contracts for new business and designed and operated start-up and expansion health plan businesses. Dr. Christian's team adapted a successful care, quality and utilization management program that conformed to the state, federal and external agency requirements. Their work has led to much success for UnitedHealthcare.
"On behalf of everyone at UnitedHealthcare, we are proud that Denise has been selected as a 2014 Women of Distinction honoree," said Dr. Cheryl Tanigawa, Executive Vice President Clinical Services, UnitedHealthcare. "Denise's dedication to the industry and strong leadership skills have long distinguished her at our organization and continue to make her a role model to her staff."
In addition to her many professional accomplishments, Dr. Christian is a community leader. She serves as Board Chair for PHMC, one of the largest and most comprehensive public health institutes in the country with 350 public health programs and 12 affiliate organizations, serving close to 350,000 clients annually. Dr. Christian is also board chair of the UnitedHealthcare Community and State health plan of Pennsylvania.
Through her service at PHMC she has assisted the PHMC health network through the arduous evaluation process that led to PHMC receiving The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® designation for both Ambulatory Care accreditation and Primary Care Medical Home certification. She was also a vital advocate and supporter for the PHMC health network's effort to educate more than 1,500 Philadelphia residents take advantage of insurance options available to them through the Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Marketplace.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Christian has won numerous awards for her work in the health care industry, including a 2009 citation from the Philadelphia City Council honoring Dr. Christian's 17 years of service to the citizens of the City, and the American Association of Health Plans Award for Telemedicine Program and People United to Save Humanity. In addition, the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Political Congress of Black Women named her the 1997 Shirley Chisholm Award recipient. This award recognized Dr. Christian's excellence in learning, sensitivity to social issues and her commitment to activism in health care policy that impacts African American communities.
Dr. Christian holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University and a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
About PHMC
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities. PHMC uses best practices to improve community health through direct service, partnership, innovation, policy, research, technical assistance and a prepared workforce. PHMC has served the region since 1972. For more information on PHMC, visit www.phmc.org.
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 800,000 physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. Globally, UnitedHealthcare serves 45 million people in health benefits and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.
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