MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) announced today that Jim Woodburn, M.D., will join the company as the vice president and medical director - telehealth. Dr. Woodburn will bring over 37 years of health care expertise to this position and his appointment underscores the company's commitment to utilizing innovative approaches to modernize the health care system.
"Jim has demonstrated throughout his career his passion for embracing innovation in advancing new systems of care delivery," said Reed Tuckson, M.D. executive vice president and chief of medical affairs, UnitedHealth Group. "In this new role, we are excited by the opportunity to combine Jim's dedication to expanding access to care for people in need with the new cutting-edge technologies associated with UnitedHealth Group's telehealth capabilities. As a result, more people will receive the care they need and will live healthier lives."
Dr. Woodburn will help advance UnitedHealth Group's telehealth programs as the company looks to open up new avenues in how consumers access health care. Stephan Rodgers, executive vice president - strategic initiatives, OptumHealth, will lead the telehealth initiative with Dr. Woodburn, as UnitedHealth Group explores several new ways to combine technology and health care resources to more easily bring care to patients.
"UnitedHealth Group is a company with a unique combination of nationwide resources, experience in organizing care delivery and expertise in applying information and technology to make health care work better. I am energized by the opportunity I have to help make telehealth a prominent part of that mix," said Dr. Woodburn.
Most recently, Dr. Woodburn served as the president of Woodburn Health Consulting, LLC, a consulting practice focused on transforming health care via evidenced-based care and consumer-driven systems.
From 2005 to 2007, Dr. Woodburn served as chief medical officer of MinuteClinic, where he was responsible for clinical integrity and medical care quality, as well as provider relationships. Dr. Woodburn also served as the national clinical spokesperson and was an integral component of MinuteClinic's acquisition by CVS/Caremark Inc. in 2006. Dr. Woodburn also worked for 12 years at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
UnitedHealth Group also launched today a Twitter telehealth account featuring Dr. Woodburn. Follow his updates on expanding access to health care at https://twitter.com/connectingcare.
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to making health care work better. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through six operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, AmeriChoice, OptumHealth, Ingenix, and Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 70 million individuals nationwide.