Dr. Rhonda Medows Joins Specialty Disease Management Services, Inc.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Specialty Disease Management Services, Inc., announced today that Rhonda Medows, M.D., the former head of Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, has joined the firm as a consultant and strategic advisor. In her role as Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Medows will serve as chairperson of the firm’s multidisciplinary quality improvement committee and assist in strategic planning and the development of disease management programs for public and private payers of healthcare.

“We are delighted to have someone with Dr. Medows’ extensive knowledge and first-hand experience with state Medicaid programs as part of our organization,” said Frederic S. Goldstein, President and Founder of Specialty Disease Management. “At a time when an increasing number of states and private employers are implementing disease management programs, Dr. Medows is an excellent match for our firm’s commitment to helping clients control healthcare costs while improving the quality of care.”

Most recently, Dr. Medows was the Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration in Florida, a position she held since August 2001. During that period, Dr. Medows oversaw the agency that administers Florida’s $13.8 billion Medicaid program that covers 2.3 million residents. Previously, Dr. Medows served as a corporate medical director for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, where she was responsible for health plan quality compliance and medical coverage guideline development. Earlier in her career, she practiced medicine at the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville and Kaiser Permanente.

A graduate of Cornell University, Dr. Medows received her M.D. from Morehouse School of Medicine with honors in neuroanatomy and psychiatry. She completed her internship and residency at University Hospital at Stony Brook in New York. She also holds a graduate certificate from the University of Miami in Health Care Management and a certificate from The Wharton School Institute for Physician Executives and Group Practice Management.

For more information about Specialty Disease Management Services, Inc. please visit http://www.specialtydisease.com/.

Founded in 1997, Specialty Disease Management Services, Inc. provides a unique community-based approach to disease management services. Based in Jacksonville, FL, the firm consistently demonstrates positive quality, cost, and satisfaction outcomes in the management of patients with complex chronic diseases. The company contracts with government and private payers of health services and operates in several states throughout the country.

Specialty Disease Management Services, Inc.

CONTACT: Ed Emerman, Eagle Public Relations, +1-609-452-5967,eemerman@eaglepr.com, for Specialty Disease Management Services