It’s all about Purpose

Today, I stepped into the role of president of Aetna and executive vice president at CVS Health. I’m honored, given this is such a pivotal time for our company and the health care industry at large. As with many significant changes in our lives, new beginnings lead me to reflect on the path that led me to where I am today.

Early in my career, I had the good fortune of finding an incredible friend and mentor who challenged me to think critically about who I am and to use that focus and passion to ensure my professional life was driven by a higher purpose. Regularly, she’d ask me and others, “Why are you in health care?” It seemed like a simple question with a simple answer: I wanted to help people. I knew I could help make a positive difference through my work.

I’m passionate about improving health care. It shouldn’t be complex. It needs to be simple, affordable, accessible, and connected. After all, a connected experience leads to better health for people…for individuals…for my family and yours. 

As I take on the responsibility for the Health Care Benefits segment of CVS Health, I am excited because of the possibilities to solve this connected experience challenge with that purpose…to help people. I see meaningful solutions with new technologies, robust data, redefining benefits, and convenient engagement channels supporting new models of care. This is evident in offerings like our CVS HealthHUB locations and the Aetna Connected Plan, which bring these solutions together to improve care, access and lead to better health. Passion, innovation and purpose allow us to do better for our customers and members. It allows us to better address health disparities and holistic wellbeing, including both physical and mental health. It allows us to help people.

I am fortunate to work at an organization with an incredible purpose-driven team that is already well on its way to making our vision of a simpler, more connected health care experience a reality. I’ve participated and watched with pride as this team of CVS Health and Aetna colleagues rise together to tackle challenges, especially from the pandemic. We are creating solutions to challenges that we have all faced in one way or another. Over the course of the past year, I have felt an even deeper appreciation for my colleagues and the way they step up for our customers. These colleagues and their purposeful, unrelenting focus on our customers is just one reason why I’m honored to lead Aetna. 

Today, we are at a pivotal inflection point in health care, and I am optimistic about the future. As I embark on this new beginning, my commitment is to continue with this deliberate purpose that fuels me every day.