Latest Hires Bring Expertise in Product Development and Operations to Support Growth in Medicare and Medicaid Business
Wider Circle, a peer-based community health organization working with payers to connect neighbors for better health, today announced the appointment of Kamal Gautam as Senior Vice President of Business Development, and Jana Mitchell as Vice President, Medicaid Operations.
With the rapid increase of Medicaid and Medicare enrollment — largely due to the economic impact of the pandemic for the former, and the baby boomer generation reaching eligibility for the latter — Wider Circle’s new hires mark the organization’s latest investment in their leadership team to support projected growth among new and existing health plan sponsors in 2021.
“We are so excited to have Jana’s and Kamal’s expertise to help us elevate the strategies and the infrastructure necessary to extend the reach and impact of our offering to both Medicare and Medicaid populations,” said Darin Buxbaum, President and Chief Operating Officer, Wider Circle. “These industry pros will be instrumental in our ability to help our health plan sponsors close that last mile of healthcare for so many in need.”
Wider Circle was launched around the mission of fostering connections among neighbors to promote social interaction and improve health at the hyper-local level. Leveraging the power of trusted peer-to-peer relationships, Wider Circle connects health plan members with neighbors and community resources to address unique challenges and barriers to better health and well-being.
Kamal Gautam, Senior VP, Business Development
Since assuming this role in March, Kamal is responsible for helping to define business growth and product strategy, as well as leading product design for Wider Circle’s new program offerings. Kamal brings to the position a deep background in growth strategy and product design for Medicare and Medicaid health plans, including 10 years at Oliver Wyman as Principal in the Health & Life Sciences Practice. Prior to that, Kamal started and built a biotechnology commercialization services company, where he started early-stage R&D companies in the areas of Alzheimer’s Disease, diabetes, spinal cord injury and atherosclerosis, helping take one of the companies public and selling it.
“Wider Circle has given me an exciting opportunity to have a more direct impact on people’s lives in an area I feel strongly connected to,” said Kamal. “By reaching disadvantaged and aging populations more effectively right in their own communities, we have a chance to help change how we as a society treat and handle health inequities. I’m looking forward to helping position the company for our next phase of growth.”
Jana Mitchell, Vice President, Medicaid Operations
Jana will be responsible for defining Wider Circle’s Medicaid solution and building the infrastructure to scale the model across multiple markets. As an operations leader in the Medicaid space for over 10 years, Jana brings a deep understanding of the unique life and healthcare challenges Medicaid beneficiaries face. Prior roles include Executive Director, Medicaid at Independent Living Systems in Chicago, and seven years in Medicaid LTSS operations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee.
“Wider Circle’s peer support model is incredibly effective at removing the day-to-day barriers preventing members from getting the care and resources they need — whether that be a trusted neighbor driving them to a job interview, or one of our facilitators connecting them with housing resources,” said Jana. “I am honored to help build the foundation for early interventions that can ultimately keep our members on track with their goals and address health concerns before they become complex and costly.”
About Wider Circle
Wider Circle works with health plans nationally to deliver unique community care programs that connect neighbors for better health. Centered on trusted relationships, Wider Circle connects health plan members with like-minded neighbors to inform, support and motivate one another, empowering them to be more proactive about their health. Wider Circle’s trusted delivery network has been proven to drive resilience, improve member experience and engagement and reduce hospitalizations. Today, Wider Circle offers its unique neighborhood care programs to over 300 communities nationwide. To learn more, visit www.widercircle.com.
