Cureatr, the TriBeCa-based health technology startup, has named the former chief executive of Highmark, one of the largest U.S. health insurers, as its new CEO.
Earlier this month, Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., who led the Pittsburgh-based insurer from 2012 to 2014, replaced co-founder and chief executive Dr. Joseph Mayer. Mayer, featured in Crain's 40 under 40 in 2016, will become the vice chairman of Cureatr's board.
Cureatr sells software that alerts health care providers when their patients visit an emergency room or are admitted or discharged from a hospital. In his new role, Winkenwerder plans to improve Cureatr's product, add additional customers and expand further into post-acute care, adding nursing homes and home health providers.
"I have a good sense for what delivery systems and insurers need and want to manage care," he said in an interview. "I've been a user, I've been a clinician and I've been a buyer of lots of different services."
Highmark operates Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plans in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware. As the insurer's chief executive, Winkenwerder also oversaw its acquisition of the five-hospital West Penn Allegheny Health Network.
Most recently, Winkenwerder was chief executive of his eponymous consulting firm, in addition to serving on the boards of several health care companies.
Cureatr has raised $19 million since it was founded in October 2011. The company's customers include Montefiore Health System, Mount Sinai Health System, DaVita Healthcare Partners and the Visiting Nurse Service of New York.
"Manhattan health tech startup picks former insurance exec as new CEO" originally appered in Crain's New York Business.
