Elizabeth Warner, MD, MHCDS

Working for an insurer, I feel that we have got to take a leadership role in improving our sprawling, expensive healthcare delivery system. Coming from a purely clinical background—I was a general surgeon before I worked in insurance—I had some gaps in my knowledge base that were important to fill. I was looking for a program that would give me solid footing in areas like finance, healthcare operations, strategy, and population health.

Elizabeth, tell us about your professional background.

I’m Vice President, Medical Affairs and Senior Medical Director at Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan in Albany, New York. We’re a physician-founded managed care organization and the largest insurer in the Capital District market. I oversee the other medical directors as well as medical policy for the plan.

Why did you choose MHCDS over another type of program (e.g., MBA, MPH, MMM)?

I work full-time and have a family, so my free time is limited and precious. I needed a program that would distill the most salient information out there regarding healthcare delivery. I wanted the business background of an MBA program, but with a focus on healthcare. I wanted some public and population health exposure, but I needed it presented for the business world in real-time. This program was the only one I found that checked all those boxes.