PHILADELPHIA, PA — August 17, 2021 — Independence Blue Cross (Independence) has appointed Seun O. Ross, Ph.D., to serve as the organization’s first-ever executive director of Health Equity. In this new role, she will help develop and implement strategies and interventions to ensure equitable whole person health across Independence.
Dr. Ross will work under the direction of Richard L. Snyder, M.D., Independence executive vice president of Facilitated Health Networks and chief medical officer, and Victor Caraballo, M.D., Independence vice president of Quality Management.
“Dr. Ross brings extensive health care experience and a broad understanding of health equity, both of which are vital to Independence’s long-range efforts to address health disparities for our members, our providers, and the wider community,” said Dr. Snyder.
Prior to joining Independence, Dr. Ross served as a chief nursing officer and senior vice president of Managed Service Provider Operations at InGenesis Inc. In that role, she was responsible for more than 200 employees as well as strategic planning, performance excellence/quality, and executive oversight of health care programs. Dr. Ross also had leadership positions at the American Nurses Association, AL Health Services, MedStar Harbor Hospital, and the United States Naval Academy-Brigade Medical Unit.
Dr. Ross is a licensed registered nurse and a nationally certified family nurse practitioner. She earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Nursing and Psychology and a master’s degree in Nursing from Coppin State University, as well as a doctorate in Nursing Practice from Chatham University.
Dr. Ross is the chair of the American National Standards Institute and a delegate for the International Standards Organization, Technical Committee for Healthcare Administration. She received the Coppin State University College of Health Professions Health Care Award.
