CHICAGO, Aug. 28, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Telehealth and advocacy service First Stop Health announced the appointment of Maria Opdycke to the position of chief operating officer. Opdycke will be responsible for finance, administration, technology, member engagement, customer service, and product and project management. First Stop Health provides 24/7/365 phone and online access to more than 370 U.S.-based, board-certified physicians, along with access to expert patient advocates. It offers its services to consumers and employees of its corporate clients.
"We are thrilled to have someone with Maria's intelligence, enthusiasm and love of process join our team," said First Stop Health CEO and co-founder Patrick Spain.
Opdycke said, "I'm excited to be part of First Stop Health. The company is in a fantastic position to be a driving force for change in the healthcare industry. I'm committed to the company's mission to provide quick, convenient and affordable access to healthcare, while helping First Stop Health grow."
Opdycke comes to First Stop Health from Chicago-based myFootpath.com, a provider of innovative enrollment solutions for higher education institutions. There, she most recently served as vice president of strategic development and previously as vice president of operations. Prior to her experience at myFootpath.com, Opdycke was a co-founder of Malia Designs, a mission-driven fashion accessories business, where she sourced internationally-produced products, developed domestic distribution channels and managed daily operations. She has also served as senior economist at Griffin, Kubik, Stephens & Thompson, a Chicago-based investment dealer that specialized in debt securities, including municipal bonds.
Opdycke earned a bachelor's degree in economics at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and an MBA in finance and entrepreneurship from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago.
For further information, please visit the company's website at www.fshealth.com
About First Stop Health
Chicago-based First Stop Health is a quick, convenient and affordable telehealth and advocacy service available to employers and to consumers. It offers immediate, 24/7/365 phone and online access to more than 370 U.S.-based, board-certified physicians who provide medical care, advice, diagnosis and - when necessary - prescriptions to its members. Members have access to expert patient advocates to assist them with navigating serious illnesses and reducing medical bills. First Stop Health also helps employers manage and reduce major medical claims. Members can use a confidential, secure online dashboard to access records of consultations with physicians; store and share medical records with their own physicians; and quickly locate nearby physicians, drugstore clinics, urgent care centers and emergency rooms. Connect with First Stop Health on Facebook and follow First Stop Health on Twitter: @firststophealth
.