New Jersey Association of Health Plans Announces New Board Officers

Trenton, NJ, January 31, 2022:  Wardell Sanders, president of the New Jersey Association of Health Plans (NJAHP), announced today that the NJAHP Board has voted on a new slate of executive board members for 2022.  Mishael Azam of UnitedHealthcare has been elected Chair of the Board.

The NJAHP board officers are as follows:

• Chairperson –Mishael Azam, UnitedHealthcare
• Vice-Chair – Stuart Dubin, WellCare
• Treasurer – Jill Squiers, AmeriHealth New Jersey
• Secretary – Maggie Moree, Aetna
• President – Wardell Sanders, NJAHP

In addition, the Board voted on the following chairs of key standing committees:

• Legislative Chair – John Fuller, Horizon
• Medicaid Chair – Pat Gillespie, AmeriGroup

Mishael Azam is a Vice President, External Affairs for UnitedHealth Group (UHG).  She joined UHG in 2018 and is responsible for coordinating the public policy and political engagement activities for businesses in UHG in New Jersey and Connecticut.  NJAHP President, Ward Sanders, shared “Mishael is almost always on New Jersey policy power lists, and for good reason. Her strong legal and policy background make her an effective advocate and trusted voice.  NJAHP looks forward to her leadership as we continue to work our way as a state through the COVID pandemic.”

“I look forward to serving as NJAHP’s Board Chair,” commented Azam.  “The COVID pandemic has dramatically altered the health care landscape.   NJAHP has played a key role in working with policymakers and other stakeholders in addressing the challenges and opportunities resulting from this changed landscape.  I look forward to working with my fellow NJAHP Board members, staff, and our partners in the State as New Jersey continues to be a national leader in healthcare.” Azam said.

Sanders thanked outgoing Board Chair, Natalie Bernardi of Cigna who is leaving the NJAHP Board due to a new position within Cigna.  “Natalie accomplished much in her one year as chair leading our discussions on COVID and successfully strengthening the NJAHP staff.”   Alison Birzon is replacing Natalie Bernardi as the Cigna representative on the Board.

About the New Jersey Association of Health Plans

The New Jersey Association of Health Plans (NJAHP) is a non-profit association created to serve its member health plans with a mission of fostering understanding in the value that health plans contribute to New Jersey’s health care system.

Among other ways, NJAHP does this by:

• informing the public about our philosophy and the value proposition offered by commercial and Medicaid health plans;
• educating policy makers, regulators, and opinion leaders on the implications of specific policy proposals;
• promoting collaborative efforts among health plans, providers, purchasers, brokers, and consumers to expand access to high-quality, affordable, and accessible health care;
• acting as a resource for interested parties on New Jersey’s health care system; and
• promoting opportunities and forums for health plan members and business partners to meet, exchange ideas, and discuss critical issues affecting health care in the State.

NJAHP’s members, which cover over seven million New Jersey residents, include: Aetna, Amerigroup, AmeriHealth New Jersey, Brighton Health Plan Solutions, Cigna, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Oscar, UnitedHealthcare, and WellCare.