McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) today announced that Patrick "Pat" Blake, 45, has been promoted to executive vice president and group president, McKesson Technology Solutions, effective immediately. Blake will report to John H. Hammergren, chairman and chief executive officer, and will serve on the company's Executive Committee. He will have overall responsibility for all of the businesses within McKesson Technology Solutions, including McKesson Provider Technologies, McKesson Health Solutions, RelayHealth and McKesson's International Operations Group. Blake succeeds Pamela J. Pure, who left the Company in March 2009.
McKesson Technology Solutions is the company's information technology, automation and connectivity division and a leader in software, automation, services and consulting for hospitals, physician offices, imaging centers, home healthcare agencies and payors. The solutions offered by the businesses within MTS are designed to improve patient safety, reduce the cost and variability of care, improve efficiency, and better manage the revenue streams and resources of healthcare.
"Healthcare information technology has never been more important to McKesson's future, or to the success of our customers and the overall healthcare system," said John H. Hammergren, chairman and chief executive officer, McKesson Corporation. "Pat is ideally suited to extend McKesson's lead in healthcare IT based on his outstanding track record as a business leader, his commitment to operational excellence, and his proven ability to create value for customers across all segments, from health systems and retail pharmacies, to specialty physician offices and pharmaceutical manufacturers. This broad experience has helped Pat develop clear insight into the operational, clinical and financial challenges facing healthcare organizations today and a deep appreciation for the role that healthcare IT can play in helping them improve their performance."
Most recently, Blake served as president of McKesson Specialty Care Solutions, a McKesson business unit that delivers services to manufacturers and providers to ensure specialty pharmaceutical products, coordinated reimbursement and clinical services are available to patients with complex diseases. In this role, he led the successful acquisition and integration of Oncology Therapeutics Network, which included the Lynx® technology platform and redefined McKesson's offerings for oncology, other specialty practices and specialty pharmaceutical manufacturer customers. Under his leadership, McKesson Specialty Care Solutions grew to become the second largest supplier of specialty pharmaceuticals in the U.S.
Blake joined McKesson in 1996 as senior vice president for McKesson Health Systems. In 1999, he was named president of McKesson Health Systems, and in 2001 he was elevated to president of customer operations for McKesson U.S. Pharmaceutical. Under his leadership, McKesson's institutional pharmaceutical distribution business grew from $3 billion to $16 billion. Prior to joining McKesson, Blake held leadership roles at Baxter International, Inc., and American Hospital Supply Inc.
Blake earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Denison University in Granville, Ohio and a Master of Business Administration from the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University.
About McKesson
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 15th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care. McKesson has been in continuous operation for more than 175 years, making it the longest-operating company in healthcare today. Over the course of its history, McKesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients. For more information, visit us at www.mckesson.com .