Health New England Appoints New Chief Medical Officer, Chief Information Officer

SPRINGFIELD — Health New England recently welcomed two new executives to its leadership team. Dr. Kate McIntosh is HNE’s new chief medical officer, and Casey Hossa is the company’s chief information officer.

In her new role, McIntosh is responsible for ensuring quality care and value for Health New England customers. She will focus on clinical excellence, innovation, and strategies to improve the health and well-being of those Health New England serves.

McIntosh, a pediatrician, ran a private practice in Vermont before joining Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont in 2018. Before that, she was medical director of the Vermont Health Information Exchange and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Health Network Porter Hospital.

“Dr. McIntosh’s deep understanding of the healthcare system and the insights she brings as a provider and practice manager will help Health New England ensure that our members get the care they need while getting the most value from their coverage,” said Richard Swift, president and CEO of Health New England. “I look forward to working with her to continue to innovate on behalf of our members.”

As chief information officer, Hossa will be responsible for advancing the organization’s data and technology strategies to find efficiencies and improve the member experience.

Hossa comes to Health New England from a CIO role at Cardinal Innovations Healthcare in North Carolina. Before that, he served as senior vice president and chief information officer at MultiCare Health System in Tacoma and Spokane, a Washington state hospital system. He previously served as the divisional vice president for HCSC (a five-state Blue Cross Blue Shield plan) in Chicago and as a technology director at United Airlines.

“The work Casey has done in his previous positions is testament to his ability to think creatively about information technology and employ the right tools to not only improve Health New England’s operating performance, but to use data to identify opportunities that help our customers get the most from their benefits and enjoy better health,” Swift said.

These new leaders will work together to advance Health New England’s efforts to streamline processes; innovate within its healthcare system, Baystate Health; and work toward Health New England’s goal of improving the health and lives of the people in area communities.