Aetna Names Nitin Bhargava Head Of Ohio/Kentucky Market
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NEW ALBANY, Ohio, August 10, 2012 — Aetna (NYSE: AET) announced today that Nitin Bhargava has been named president of its Ohio and Kentucky markets effective immediately. In this role, Bhargava oversees sales to small and middle markets (up to 3,000 employees), public employee and labor groups, and individuals. In addition, he has responsibility for strategy and management of Aetna’s health care delivery network and leads the team that performs contracting with physicians, hospitals and other health care providers in both states. Bhargava comes to New Albany from Chicago, where he was senior vice president and head of Aetna Medicare for Aetna’s Mid-America region, which includes 17 states. He has been with Aetna for 15 years, and has held several other positions with the company. “Nitin brings strong leadership and a well-rounded background from within the company. He makes an excellent addition to our Ohio/Kentucky operations,” said Felicia Norwood, president of Aetna’s Mid-America region. “I am excited to be heading up our Ohio/Kentucky team during such a pivotal time in health care transformation,” said Bhargava. “Throughout these changes, Aetna has been in the forefront promoting transparency, accountable care solutions and wellness initiatives. These efforts fit well with the direction Ohio Governor John Kasich is taking the state as it prepares for the coming changes. Teaming with partners throughout Ohio and Kentucky to create a dynamic and effective health care system is what Aetna is all about. “Our company is very active with Ohio physicians and hospitals, working together on programs that enhance quality and help contain costs. We have ongoing forward-focused programs with Cleveland Clinic and Central Ohio Primary Care Physicians, and have worked closely with Access HealthColumbus to support efforts to improve our health care system,” said Bhargava. Aetna employs more than 2,000 in Ohio, with offices in Columbus, Richfield, New Albany, and Maumee. “Our employees are dedicated to our communities across the state and donate personal funds and thousands of hours to local groups. The company and Aetna Foundation have helped support a wide range of health-oriented nonprofits, as well,” he added. Aetna is perhaps best known in Ohio for its local wellness initiatives, such as the Wii senior bowling competitions held throughout the state, support for the New Albany Walking Classic, the company’s healthy cooking competition held in Ohio drawing entrants from every corner of the state, and sponsorship of the Senior Olympics Games in Cleveland. Additionally, through the Aetna employees in the Canton-Akron area, Aetna just sponsored the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival’s 2- and 5-mile runs and community parade. Before joining Aetna, Bhargava worked with Bell Atlantic (now Verizon) in Silver Spring, Maryland. Bhargava received the “Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business” award in June 2010 and was named to the Hartford Business Journal’s “40 Under Forty” list in 2005. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Maryland at College Park, a Master of Science degree from the University of Iowa in Biomedical Engineering, and a Bachelor of Technology degree from Indian Institute of Technology. About Aetna |
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