Cohere Health Appoints Dr. Mark Leenay to Board of Directors for Advancing Clinical AI and Health Plan Collaborations
Cohere Health Welcomes Dr. Mark Leenay to Its Board
Cohere Health, a leading player in clinical AI and healthcare solutions, has recently announced the appointment of Dr. Mark Leenay to its board of directors. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing the company's growth and innovation in partnership with health plans and in advancing clinical AI capabilities.
Dr. Leenay comes with over two decades of experience in the healthcare sector, having held significant leadership positions at renowned organizations such as WellCare, Optum, and UnitedHealthcare. With a robust background in medical cost management and health plan operations, he brings a wealth of knowledge that will be instrumental in steering Cohere Health towards its goals. His appointment is expected to deepen the company’s strategic expertise, especially as it continues to scale collaborations with innovative health plans.
Cohere Health's CEO, Siva Namasivayam, expressed enthusiasm over Dr. Leenay's addition, stating, "His insights blend clinically-driven perspectives with executive acumen in health plan leadership. This alignment is critical in our mission to aid health plans in transforming decision-making across the care continuum."
Dr. Leenay is not only a board-certified physician in family medicine and geriatrics but also possesses extensive operational experience which positions him as a key asset for Cohere Health. In his new role, he will focus on guiding clinical and operational strategies for national and regional health plans.
Reflecting on his new responsibilities, Dr. Leenay shared, "I believe that clinically trained AI can significantly enhance patient care. As a board member, I aim to connect health plans and providers, improving operational efficiency amid the rising costs of healthcare."
Previously, Dr. Leenay served as COO of ChenMed and held the position of CEO at InHealth MD Alliance. He also functioned as the EVP and Chief Medical Officer of WellCare Health Plans, and he spent a decade in executive leadership roles at UnitedHealth Group. Dr. Leenay completed his Doctor of Medicine from Thomas Jefferson University, underscoring his expertise in both the clinical and administrative aspects of healthcare.
The executive chair of Cohere Health, Dr. Gary Gottlieb, commented on the significance of Dr. Leenay's appointment, noting that it will not only enhance governance but will also support the company's initiative to bolster payer-provider collaboration. The ultimate goal is to ensure that patients receive the right care, at the right time, and in the right setting.
Cohere Health is known for its innovative clinical intelligence platform that employs AI-driven solutions to harmonize the activities of health plans and healthcare providers. This platform effectively optimizes various aspects of care, leading to improved speed, quality, and cost-efficiency. By streamlining decision-making processes related to policy, prior authorization, payment accuracy, and appeals, the company has established itself as a leader in enhancing collaboration within the healthcare ecosystem.
Recognized on TIME's World's Top HealthTech Companies 2025 list and featured on the Inc. 5000 list, Cohere Health continues to be acknowledged for driving significant advancements in health technology. The company's unique approach demonstrates an impressive 8x ROI and a 94% satisfaction rate among providers.
In summary, the onboarding of Dr. Mark Leenay is a strategic enhancement to Cohere Health's already impressive leadership team. His clinical insights and executive experience will undoubtedly foster innovative health solutions and optimize care delivery in a landscape that is increasingly under pressure from rising healthcare costs and the demand for efficiency.