New Jersey Association of Health Plans Announces New Board Officers

Trenton, NJ, January 20, 2026:  The New Jersey Association of Health Plans (NJAHP) announced today that the NJAHP Executive Board has voted on a new slate of executive board officers to serve during the 2026–2027 term.

Alicia Palombo of CVSHealth/Aetna has been elected Chair of the Board. The NJAHP board officers for 2026–2027 are as follows:

1. 1. Chair – Alicia Palombo, CVS Health/Aetna
   2. Vice Chair – Jill Squiers, AmeriHealth
   3. Secretary – Mishael Azam, United Health Group
   4. Treasurer – John Fuller, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
   5. Legislative Chair – Alison Birzon, Cigna
   6. Medicaid Chair – Brendan Peppard, Fidelis Care
   7. Medicaid Actuarial/Finance Chair – Nikhail Bharwani, Fidelis Care
   8. Dental Chair – Pat Gillespie, Wellpoint

As a licensed pharmacist, Alicia Palombo brings extensive experience in pharmacy policy to her role as Chair. Her election reflects NJAHP’s continued focus on collaboration, innovation, and advocacy to ensure access to affordable, high-quality health coverage for New Jersey residents.

“Our Board represents a diverse cross-section of health plan expertise, and this leadership team is well positioned to guide NJAHP during an important period for health care policy in New Jersey,” said Ward Sanders, President of NJAHP. “We face unprecedented challenges with changes in federal financing and policy, but look forward to working together to address challenges and opportunities across the commercial market, Medicaid, and public employee plans.”

“I am honored to serve as Chair of the NJAHP Executive Board,” said Palombo. “As New Jersey continues to focus on affordability, access, and sustainability across the health care system, I look forward to working with our members and stakeholders to support policies that benefit patients, providers, and working families throughout the state.”

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,  AmeriHealth, Cigna, Fidelis Care, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Oscar, UnitedHealth Group, and Wellpoint.

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