William Winkenwerder, Jr.

Dr. Bill Winkenwerder is one of the most influential and recognized leaders in American health care, with experience in medical care delivery, health care finance, and health insurance operations. Winkenwerder is also a prominent expert on federal health policy and programs, and new technologies such as electronic health records.

Most recently Winkenwerder served as chief executive officer of Highmark Health, a Pennsylvania based diversified insurance and health care enterprise, with annual revenues of $17 billion, employing 38,000 people and serving 35 million individuals. There he led a transformation to create the third largest integrated health care delivery and financing network in the nation. Highmark Health is the parent company of Highmark, Inc. which provides health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in multiple states, dental insurance, vision care and other health related services to customers; and is the parent company for an integrated health care system—Allegheny Health Network—that includes seven hospitals and more than 2,500 affiliated physicians.

From 2001 to 2007, Winkenwerder served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs with responsibility for a $40 billion annual budget, 132,000 personnel and 9.2 million beneficiaries worldwide. Before his service with the Department of Defense, he served in senior leadership positions at Blue Cross of Massachusetts, Prudential Healthcare and Emory University. Winkenwerder is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, and a board certified physician who has practiced in primary care internal medicine.

As a thought leader, Winkenwerder has been an advocate for preventative health care, evidenced-based medicine, digital health solutions and consumer engagement in health. He has worked closely with many of America’s major employers on their health care cost issues. He has been a leading health industry strategist, an advisor to presidential candidates and a regular contributor to various news and media outlets.

A graduate of Davidson College and The University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Winkenwerder received his Masters of Business Administration from The Wharton School, of The University of Pennsylvania.

Winkenwerder is a seasoned national health care leader. He is an experienced executive and financial strategist, who deeply understands both the private and public health sectors, and the power of new innovative technologies to transform the industry.