Medford – Network Health, a Massachusetts health plan that provides access to high-quality health care for nearly 215,000 Massachusetts residents with low and moderate incomes, announced today that it has appointed Sowmya Viswanathan, MD, as medical director.
Dr. Viswanathan will play an important leadership role in the clinical affairs of Network Health, ensuring clinical quality in the provider network. She will also oversee physician review services and appeals, utilization management functions, integrated care management, medical policy formulation, and the development and execution of clinical disease management and population-based programs.
“Dr. Viswanathan's diverse background, including previous experience as a clinical care provider, advisor for several hospital systems nationwide, and health plan medical director, make her an ideal fit for this role,” said Pano Yeracaris, MD, MPH, Network Health vice president and chief medical officer.? “Dr. Viswanathan brings a proven track record of outstanding leadership in developing managed care strategies, executing performance improvement initiatives, and expanding and achieving efficiency strategies.”
Dr. Viswanathan has more than 15 years” experience in the health care industry. Before joining Network Health, Viswanathan was the associate medical director and lead physician advisor at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care in Wellesley, Mass. She has also served as medical director of primary care services at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Natick, Mass.; physician quality officer for ambulatory services at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Mass.; and medical director of interim health care at the Westborough Healthcare and Rehab Facility in Westborough, Mass. She currently serves as a medical necessity expert and physician advisor nationwide for the UnitedHealth Group.
Dr. Viswanathan earned a graduate medical degree from Madurai Medical College in India and completed both her chief medical residency and her internal medicine residency at Boston University in Boston, Mass. Dr. Viswanathan is board certified in internal medicine and a member of several professional organizations including the American College of Physician Executives, the American Medical Association, and the Massachusetts Medical Society.
