TAMPA, Fla., July 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) announced today it has named Dr. Mark Leenay to the role of senior vice president and chief medical officer. Dr. Leenay will collaborate with senior leadership and the entire clinical organization to execute on WellCare's clinical strategy with a particular focus on clinical integration and alignment of our physician leadership throughout the organization. In this new role, he is joining the company's executive leadership team.

"As we continue to focus on clinical integration, Dr. Leenay will lead a number of initiatives from wellness to complex condition management which will help our provider partners deliver quality care and ensure that our members are able to live the best life possible," said Ken Burdick, WellCare's chief executive officer.

Dr. Leenay joined WellCare in August, 2016 as chief medical director - care model, where he was responsible for advancing field and telephonic care management programs, and leading initiatives to simplify and improve utilization management performance to the benefit of WellCare's members and providers.

He has nearly 30 years of clinical and operational experience. Prior to joining WellCare, Dr. Leenay served as a chief medical officer and senior vice president within various divisions at Optum.

Dr. Leenay is board certified in family medicine, geriatrics, and hospice and palliative care. Dr. Leenay earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Le Moyne College, a master's degree in educational psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a doctor of medicine degree from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He completed his residency at Overlook Hospital, at the time, an affiliate of Columbia University.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. The company serves approximately 4.1 million members nationwide as of March 31, 2017. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wellcare-names-dr-mark-leenay-chief-medical-officer-300486106.html

SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.