CERRITOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CareMore Health System today announced that Leeba Lessin, president, will retire effective April 15, 2016. Lessin will remain with the company as a consultant, focusing primarily on provider strategies and new business development initiatives. In addition, Lessin will serve as an instructor and curriculum consultant for the CareMore Academy, which is the company’s clinical training program for health care professionals.
Throughout her career, Lessin has been a passionate advocate for innovation in health care. Lessin joined CareMore in 2006 and played an integral role in helping the company develop its unique care model, which has proven successful in addressing the complex health problems associated with aging. In addition, during Lessin’s tenure, she spearheaded CareMore’s growth strategy, both in terms of geographic and product expansion, and her expertise for health care redesign has resulted in innovations in care for 80,000 consumers across the country.
“I am so proud to have led CareMore during a transformative period when we expanded our model outside of California and then outside of Medicare,” Lessin said. “It’s been very gratifying to participate in creating a model that has been replicated across the country and has proven effective in improving the lives of so many. In addition, I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a visionary and committed team who strive to be CareMore 100 percent of the time.”
Following Lessin’s retirement, Sachin Jain, M.D., M.B.A., will assume the role of president. Dr. Jain joined CareMore in 2015 as chief medical officer and his role last fall grew to include operating responsibility for market performance. During Dr. Jain’s tenure, he has focused on improving clinical operations; advancing the unity performance of the clinical and operating teams; and re-invigorating clinical innovation. In addition, Dr. Jain worked to recruit new clinical leaders to support the company into a new wave of expansion.
“With Dr. Jain in place, I know we have leadership and energy to lead us into the next era,” Lessin said. “Given CareMore’s focus on clinical outcomes, it is appropriate that it be led by a physician. And Dr. Jain is a transformer, understands CareMore and is ready to lead CareMore’s evolution.”
“I am honored to be selected to lead CareMore and through my leadership the company will maintain its commitment to innovation, serving the needs of consumers and being a forerunner in value-based health care delivery,” Dr. Jain said.
“When I was in public service, I learned of CareMore’s reputation for excellence,” he added. “That’s a tribute to Leeba and her tireless energy and enthusiasm. On behalf of CareMore’s associates, I wish to thank Leeba for her tremendous leadership and mentorship and I look forward to building on her legacy into the future.”
Before joining CareMore, Dr. Jain served as Chief Medical Information and Innovation Officer at Merck & Co. He served as senior advisor to the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), helping launch CMS’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. He has held a variety of other roles, including special assistant to the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. He earned his M.D. from Harvard Medical School and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
With Dr. Jain taking on the role of president, the company will be conducting a search for a chief medical officer and bringing on a chief operating officer.
About CareMore
CareMore is invested in developing an extensive clinical infrastructure centered on high-touch patient care for Medicare beneficiaries and other populations. Its model focuses on prevention and highly coordinated care resulting in clinical outcomes above the national average. CareMore serves more than 80,000 Medicare Advantage members throughout Southern California, Northern California, Las Vegas and Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., under federally-approved Medicare Advantage contracts. CareMore also is participating in a dual demonstration project in parts of Los Angeles County in conjunction with state and federal regulators to coordinate care for people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. For more information regarding CareMore go to www.caremore.com.