The president and CEO of Oregon’s Health CO-OP, Dr. Ralph Prows, will resign in June to become president of Ochsner Health Network.
As the founding leader of the CO-OP since its inception in 2012, Prows leaves after three years of positive membership and financial growth, and more than 20 years of first-hand experience as a physician and healthcare executive in Oregon.
“Leading this CO-OP has been among the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my career,” said Prows. “Given its strong track record, I’m confident it will continue to flourish. I am grateful for the opportunity to help start something so innovative and valuable to Oregonians. I appreciate the support I have received from our incredible staff and Board of Directors as well as our members, providers and the brokerage community.”
In July, he’ll become President of Ochsner Health Network, part of Ochsner Health Systems, one of the largest independent academic health systems in the country and Louisiana’s largest not-for-profit health system.
“I’m excited to return to New Orleans,” said Prows. “My family and I have strong ties to New Orleans. It’s where I trained and began my medical practice. This is a chance for us to return to a part of the country we love, for me to be part of a healt care system that shares my personal values, and to lead health care change across the Gulf South .”
The CO-OP is on track to meet its 20,000 membership goal by the end of the year, and has healthy financial reserves.
“As both a medical practitioner and a statewide insurance industry leader, Ralph has been at the forefront of the fight for quality, affordable healthcare for all Oregonians,” said Deborah Tompkins, chair of the CO-OP Board of Directors. “Under his guidance, we have built a strong leadership team that will honor his legacy by ensuring the CO-OP maintains its unwavering focus on lower premiums and better benefits for all of our members.”
Oregon’s Health CO-OP Board of Directors has begun the process to identify Prows’ replacement.
Prior to joining the CO-OP, Prows was medical director of the Corvallis Clinic and also has been a board member of both the Oregon Health Quality Corporation and the North by Northeast Health Center, which provides health services to the African American population in north Portland.
“It’s been a great 20 years in Oregon, and we’ll be back,” Prows said.
Diane can be reached at [email protected].
