MARIETTA, Ga., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Matria Healthcare, Inc. announced today that Ken Yale, D.D.S., J.D. has joined the Company as Vice President of Government Programs. Dr. Yale brings considerable experience with innovation in government programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, health information technology and work with federal and state governments.
In addition to further positioning Matria in government markets, Dr. Yale's responsibilities include strategic planning, oversight of Medicare disease management demonstrations, and serving Medicaid health plan and Medicare Advantage Organization clients with their chronic care improvement needs, health information technology and other government-related matters.
Dr. Yale has numerous innovations to his credit, including leading implementation of the Medicare Subvention project, now called TRICARE for Life, application support for contracts awarded by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, and advising clients on the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. As Senior Fellow in the Center for Health Information and Decision Systems at the University of Maryland, he assisted with advanced research and development related to the introduction of healthcare information technology to improve quality and reduce costs. Dr. Yale also led government programs at EduNeering, Inc., as well as strategic planning at Atlantis Group for clients focusing on government programs and health information technology adoption.
Dr. Yale brings an additional unique perspective from his work as Chief of Staff to the White House Office of Science and Technology and head of the White House Domestic Policy Council. Prior to these Executive Branch duties, Dr. Yale was Legislative Counsel in the U.S. Senate and a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Public Health Service.
"The wealth of expertise Dr. Yale brings, including implementation of Medicare Advantage plans and working with government agencies, will allow Matria to provide even more comprehensive resources and further expand our business base within the government sector," said Richard Hassett, M.D., Matria's President and Chief Operating Officer. "He has an excellent understanding of government markets, including the rapidly expanding Medicare Advantage and chronic care improvement programs."
Dr. Yale commented, "This is an exciting and rapidly changing industry, with tremendous potential in the government sector. I welcome the opportunity to be part of a leading health enhancement company, with more than two years experience and data in Medicare chronic care improvement. We're looking forward to working closely with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as we continue to refine and improve our Medicare programs."
Dr. Yale received his bachelors from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, his doctorate in dentistry from the University of Maryland, and his juris doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center. He is a member of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, the Maryland State Task Force on Electronic Health Records, the Center for Health Information and Decision Systems Advisory Board at the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business, the URAC Health Website Accreditation Committee, Atlantis Group Strategic Planning Board, Bureau of National Affairs Medicare Advisory Board, and is a frequent speaker and author.
ABOUT MATRIA HEALTHCARE
Matria Healthcare is a leading provider of comprehensive health enhancement programs to health plans and employers. Matria manages major chronic diseases and episodic conditions including diabetes, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high-risk obstetrics, cancer, chronic pain, depression, end-stage renal disease, and obesity; delivers programs that address wellness, healthy living, productivity improvement, and patient advocacy; and provides case management of acute and catastrophic conditions. Headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, Matria has more than 40 offices in the United States and internationally. More information about Matria can be found on line at http://www.matria.com.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Such statements include but are not limited to the impact that Dr. Yale will have on providing more comprehensive resources and further expanding the Company's business base with the government sector and the Company's potential in the government sector. These statements are based on current information and belief, and are not guarantees of future performance. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include the inability of Dr. Yale to positively impact the Company's provision of more comprehensive resources within the government sector, the Company's failure to achieve further expansion of its business base within the government sector, decreased interest in or demand for the Company's wellness, disease management and case management programs, failure of existing accounts to expand their use of the Company's programs and services, developments in the healthcare industry, third-party actions over which Matria does not have control, regulatory requirements applicable to Matria's business and the risk factors detailed from time to time in Matria's periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Matria's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. By making these forward-looking statements, Matria does not undertake to update them in any manner except as may be required by Matria's disclosure obligations in filings it makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the federal securities laws.
Contact: Stephen M. Mengert Chief Financial Officer 770/767-4500
Matria Healthcare, Inc.CONTACT: Stephen M. Mengert, Chief Financial Officer of Matria Healthcare,+1-770-767-4500
Web site: http://www.matria.com/