Blue Cross names executive medical directors
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has appointed Dr. Paul Karazija as executive medical director for commercial and government programs, and Dr. Lawrence (Larry) Lee as executive medical director for provider relations and quality. In these roles, Karazija and Lee will provide direction and oversight of medical policies, credentialing, provider relations, and quality improvement programs.
The creation of an executive medical director structure replaces the traditional chief medical officer role and represents the most senior medical leadership positions within Blue Cross. According to Garrett Black, senior vice president of Health Management, the concept of having co-lead executive physicians was designed with the goal of fostering even more collaboration and innovation among all stakeholder groups.
Karazija joined Blue Cross in May 2011 as senior medical director of key accounts. A board-certified internist, he has been in medical director leadership roles since 1996. Prior to joining Blue Cross, Karazija was chief medical officer at Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa and South Dakota.
Lee joined Blue Cross in February 2012 as medical director of provider analytics and clinical performance. He is a board-certified internist and has been in medical director leadership positions since 2006. Prior to joining Blue Cross, Lee was a health plan medical director at HealthPartners.
