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Dr. J.D. Hickey, chief operating officer of BlueCross BlueShield of TennesseePhoto by Contributed Photo /Chattanooga Times Free Press.
The former head of Tennessee’s TennCare program has been appointed chief operating officer of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, effective May 1.
Dr. J.D. Hickey, who previously served as senior vice president and CEO of BlueCross’ TennCare program operated under the Volunteer State Health Plan, will succeed Bill Gracey who is set to become BlueCross’ chief executive officer on Jan. 1.
“Over the past year J.D. has demonstrated a broad grasp of our organization and the market dynamics we’re facing,” Gracey said in a statement today. “He’s not only a nationally respected leader and health care strategist, but he also consistently brings innovative ideas to the table.”
Hickey joined BlueCross in March 2011 after serving as a principal with McKinsey & Co. in strategic health care consulting. Prior to that, he served on Gov. Phil Bredesen’s cabinet as director of the TennCare Bureau. He has also held executive positions with Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) and Qualifacts Systems, Inc.
Hickey graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from Colgate. He went on to earn medical and law degrees from Duke University.
Dave Flessner is the business editor for the Times Free Press. A journalist for 35 years, Dave has been business editor and projects editor for the Chattanooga Times Free Press, city editor for The Chattanooga Times, business and county reporter for the Chattanooga Times, correspondent for the Lansing State Journal and Ingham County News in Michigan, staff writer for the Hastings Daily Tribune in Nebraska, and news director for WCBN-FM in Michigan. Dave, a native ...
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