Veteran Health Care Professional Selected for Medi-Cal Plan’s CMO Role
CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) today announced that Dr. Nancy Wharfield has assumed the role of chief medical officer (CMO) effective immediately. Wharfield had previously served as the Plan’s associate chief medical officer and replaces Dr. C. Albert Reeves, who retired in July.
“Dr. Wharfield is a strong advocate of quality health care services for Gold Coast Health Plan’s Medi-Cal members,” said GCHP’s chief executive officer Dale Villani. “Her work on clinical and community-based health programs will lead the Plan’s health professionals in further advancing our member-focused mission.”
As the chief medical officer, Wharfield will be responsible for providing the Plan with the strategic direction, oversight and evaluation of its medical programs. She will provide medical leadership and management in the areas of quality improvement, utilization management, pharmacy benefits, care management, disease management and health education.
“I look forward to continuing to provide quality care that benefits members, providers and our strategic health care partners in Ventura County,” Wharfield said.
Prior to joining GCHP, Wharfield served as a physician executive at CenCal Health, where she was responsible for utilization management, case review and policy development. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and her Medical Degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.
“Dr. Wharfield’s exceptional background as a physician and an administrator makes her uniquely qualified for this position,” Villani said. “Her commitment to quality care makes her an outstanding choice to lead our efforts in bringing quality services and programs to the county.”
About Gold Coast Health Plan
Gold Coast Health Plan is an independent public entity created by a Ventura County ordinance and authorized through Federal Legislation. GCHP is not a county agency. The county Board of Supervisors approved implementation of a County Organized Health System (COHS) model, transitioning from fee-for-service Medi-Cal to managed care on June 2, 2009. The purpose of GCHP is to serve Medi-Cal beneficiaries, enhance the quality of health care, provide greater access, improve service and provide choice. The Plan provides health benefits to more than 202,000 beneficiaries throughout the county. To learn more about GCHP, visit: www.goldcoasthealthplan.org.