For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD – Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc., has named Melissa DeGoede, Stratford, as director of population health.

As the director of population health, DeGoede will lead Security’s work in assessing member health, care coordination, and management of their health care needs.

“I will work with the chief medical officer and Security’s Health Services team to focus on developing population health management efforts and delivering these programs and services to Security Health Plan members and our provider partners,” DeGoede said. “My new role is uniquely positioned to work with our care provider partners in developing coordinated patient care across conditions, providers, and settings, so our members receive safe, timely, effective, and efficient care.

DeGoede has had a long career in health care, starting in her native Texas, where she earned a degree in nursing. She has since held positions in disease management, emergency services, and most recently, director of clinical operations for UnitedHealth Group and vice president of population health for Network Health Plan.

DeGoede is an alumna of UW-Oshkosh, where she earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing, after earning an associate degree in nursing from Paris Junior College, Paris, Texas. She also holds a master of business administration with a health care emphasis from Lakeland College.

She said she is excited to work for a local health care company and was drawn to Security Health Plan by the brand and reputation of the plan and Marshfield Clinic Health System.

“Throughout my career I have primarily worked with national payer and provider organizations across the U.S.,” DeGoede said. “I was looking for an opportunity to positively impact the quality and delivery of health care within my own community.

“I am so excited to support the continued advancement and the delivery of high quality and affordable health care to the residents of Wisconsin.”