SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec. 9, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matrix Medical Network, a national leader in prospective medical assessment services for Medicare Advantage (MA) plan members and one of the largest employers of Nurse Practitioners (NP) in the country, has announced that Walter W. Cooper will join Matrix's executive leadership team and serve as senior vice president of strategy and corporate development officer, reporting to Chief Executive Officer Randy Dobbs.
In this executive position, Mr. Cooper will be responsible for strategic planning, marketing, corporate communications, and government affairs, working out of the company's headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz.
"Walt will coordinate all functional areas responsible for the definition and launch of our Strategic Path initiatives," said Mr. Dobbs. "We are the leader in providing assessment services to MA clients and now, with Walt onboard, we will extend our marketplace leadership as we drive new products and expanded services that help Matrix provide a wider range of clinical solutions."
"I am excited to join the Matrix team at this pivotal time in the company's history," said Mr. Cooper. "Matrix has a fantastic base upon which to grow the company and the services we provide our clients. I am committed to helping Matrix lead the way in providing additional high quality, affordable, home-care services to our clients and their members as we expand Matrix's important role in the healthcare industry of today and tomorrow."
Mr. Cooper has served in a series of executive leadership positions with major health plans. He joins Matrix with the unique perspective of having served as a top executive at WellCare Health Plans, a $9 billion multi-state leader in Medicare and Medicaid programs. While at WellCare, Mr. Cooper was the chief administrative officer and was responsible for the $1.5 billion Medicare Part D and Specialty Pharmacy business. He also led the acquisitions, analytics, healthcare delivery, IT, operations, PMO, and quality functional areas. Prior to this, Mr. Cooper served as the executive leader for communications, human resources, and sales and marketing.
Prior to WellCare, Mr. Cooper served in a number of senior leadership positions at UnitedHealth Group. While at United, he was responsible for developing market strategy and led marketing and ancillary product development for the specialized care services business segment, which is now known as OptumHealth. He also led all back office operations that supported United's position as the leading provider of specialized health products for the retiree solutions and senior market business segments.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Cooper worked for Jostens Corporation and Bausch & Lomb where he held positions of increasing responsibility that included international assignments in Canada and Mexico in business development, manufacturing, and sales and marketing.
He earned both his MBA and Bachelor's of Mechanical Engineering degrees from Gannon University in Erie, Pa.
About Matrix Medical Network
Matrix is headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., and provides prospective medical assessment services that help medical plan clients manage costs and provide high-quality care. Having pioneered the use of a national network of highly-trained employee Nurse Practitioners to conduct medical assessments in plan member homes or nursing facilities, Matrix is dedicated to improving the quality of health care in the U.S. through offering affordable in-home care service options; helping clients efficiently, accurately, and securely collect plan member information; and providing data analytic and risk adjustment solutions that improve clinical outcomes. Matrix is owned by Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, a leading private equity investment firm. For more information, visit www.MatrixForMe.com.