UnitedHealth Group announced Tuesday that insider Patrick Conway, M.D., a veteran of the insurance industry and health policy, has been tapped to lead the Optum division, according to a recent announcement. Conway, whose appointment as CEO of Optum will take effect on May 6, brings a wealth of experience within the organization. He previously served as the CEO of Optum’s pharmacy benefit management unit, Optum Rx, and also held significant leadership roles within the company’s healthcare delivery arm, Optum Health.
Prior to his tenure at Optum, Conway held a pivotal role in the public sector, serving as the director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In this capacity, he was responsible for the development of critical payment models for government insurance programs, demonstrating his deep understanding of the intricacies of the healthcare landscape.
Conway succeeds Heather Cianfrocco, who will transition to a new leadership role within the parent company’s corporate offices. Cianfrocco will become the executive vice president of governance, compliance, and information security, also effective May 6. Cianfrocco has held numerous leadership positions across both UnitedHealth and Optum, including her own period as the CEO of Optum Rx. Her new role is described as critical to “the company’s commitment to strong governance and ethical oversight of our operations,” leveraging her knowledge of the company’s business and her extensive background as a lawyer, spanning more than a decade.
The leadership changes come at a significant juncture for the healthcare giant. “UnitedHealth Group announced today leadership changes consistent with its longstanding, intentional approach to developing an executive team with a range of experiences across its diverse portfolio of businesses and in ongoing service to its mission and the people it serves,” the company stated. This restructuring occurs in the wake of an atypically poor first-quarter earnings performance for the company, which initiated the earnings season for the insurance industry. Due to rising costs, particularly within its Medicare Advantage segment, the company revised its outlook for the year, causing a notable decline in its stock value, a trend mirrored by its competitors.
CEO Andrew Witty conveyed to investors during the company’s recent earnings call that the healthcare giant is prioritizing a turnaround in performance for the remainder of 2025 and into early 2026. The appointment of Conway, an insider with a strong track record within Optum and a deep understanding of the healthcare system, signals a strategic move to navigate the current challenges and steer the company toward improved financial performance and operational efficiency. His experience across various facets of Optum, coupled with his public sector background, positions him as a key figure in the company’s efforts to address the headwinds it is currently facing.
(Hero image credit: UnitedHealth Group)
