Sendero Health Plans Inc. (Sendero) has announced the appointment of Sharon J. Alvis as its new Chief Executive Officer, tasked with leading the nonprofit Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) created, funded, and owned by Central Health. Sendero is renowned for providing health insurance plans through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, in accordance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Prior to her new role at Sendero, Sharon J. Alvis held the position of Market President at Curative Insurance Company, where she spearheaded the development of a fully insured Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) tailored to large employers. Throughout her career, Alvis has occupied senior management roles within health plans, hospitals, and physician organizations. Her extensive background includes leadership positions in multiple start-up HMOs, PPOs, a Physician Hospital Organization (PHO), and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Alvis, who resides in Wimberley, possesses strong connections to Central Texas. She emphasizes the significance of localized healthcare delivery, stating, “I believe healthcare delivery is ultimately local. The opportunity to build on and enhance the services Sendero offers to Central Texas intrigues me. I have closely followed the evolution and experience of Sendero Health Plans from its inception and was excited about the potential to directly contribute.”
She further added, “With its unique structure and ownership, Sendero, in collaboration with the Central Health System, has a unique opportunity to maximize powerful collective resources. I am challenged and excited about how Sendero can best align and augment the quality of care for Central Texans.”
Sharon Alvis assumes her role as CEO on October 9, taking over from acting CEO Perla Cavazos, who will return to her position as Central Health’s Deputy Administrator.
Prior to her tenure at Curative, Alvis served as the President of Vista360health, an HMO based in Central Texas catering to individuals and small employers. She also held the role of Regional Vice President in Texas and Louisiana for a Medicare Advantage plan, served as CEO of a PHO representing 450 physicians and three unaffiliated hospitals, and held positions as the Executive Director of the St. David’s Health Network and Assistant Vice President for St. David’s Healthcare System.
Betty DeLargy, Chair of the Sendero Board, commented on Alvis’s appointment, noting, “It’s rare to find someone with Sharon’s deep and diverse background in health insurance.” DeLargy added that Alvis “has experience with Medicare, individual, small and large employers, HMO, and PPO business lines. Over decades, she has built strong relationships with providers – working for them and with them – so she understands their perspective as well as the insurance plan perspective. She has built strong executive teams and staff at several companies. The Sendero Board of Directors believes she’s exactly what we need at this moment.”
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