New Zealand insurer Southern Cross Health Society has appointed Dr. Lester Levy (pictured) as its strategic advisor.
In the newly created role, Levy will look at the future of healthcare in a part-time capacity, advising and helping to shape the insurer’s overall strategy. In particular, he will be responsible for evolving the future operating model and plans for digital health and value-based contracting to achieve optimum health outcomes. Levy will also interface with the global and local health insurance, medical and academic communities, and will report to Southern Cross Health Society CEO Nick Astwick.
Levy brings extensive knowledge of the health sector, having started his working life as a medical doctor. He then became a chief executive, entrepreneur and chair of boards of directors across a diverse range of industry sectors.
According to Astwick, Levy’s extensive knowledge of the health sector made him an obvious choice for the role.
“This is an important step for us as we seek to lead the sector to meet changing member needs and our desire to support them throughout their health and wellness journeys, as well as continuing to be there to pay the bill should they get sick,” Astwick noted. “We’re thrilled to have secured someone of Dr Levy’s calibre.
“To dramatically make life better for communities and patients we need to thoughtfully and without delay embrace new models and approaches,” Levy added. “I look forward to helping Southern Cross Health Society create that future for the benefit of all of its stakeholders.”
Currently, Levy is the Health Research Council of New Zealand chairman, Ministerial Advisory Group on Health member and chairman of all three Auckland region district health boards (Auckland, Waitemata and Counties Manukau). Most recently, he was appointed as professor of digital health leadership at Auckland University of Technology’s Faculty of Health. Previously, he was the chief executive of South Auckland Health, the New Zealand Blood Service and the MercyAscot Hospital Group (of which he was a founder).
