COLUMBUS — Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson announced today that Cynthia Burnell has been named the Executive Director of the Ohio Healthcare Coverage and Quality Council
“As the Executive Director of the Ohio Healthcare Coverage and Quality Council, Cynthia will be responsible for guiding the council in its efforts to improve Ohio’s healthcare system,” said Director Hudson. “We are grateful to have someone with the vast experience and leadership skills that Cynthia possesses to head up the Council.”
Established by Governor Ted Strickland (Executive Order 2009-03S) on March 5, 2009, the Ohio Healthcare Coverage and Quality Council will facilitate the implementation of health care initiatives that will expand affordable health insurance coverage to more Ohioans and improve the cost and quality of Ohio’s health care and coverage system. The Council will advise the governor and the General Assembly on strategies for improving health plans, policies and programs.
Burnell, who currently resides in Columbus, is a graduate of the University of Akron, graduating summa cum laude. She received her Master of Labor and Human Resources degree from the Ohio State University. She spent the last two years working as the Director of the Office of Healthy Ohio with the Ohio Department of Health. Prior to that, Ms. Burnell served for four years as the Assistant Deputy Director at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and 12 years as the chief of the Bureau of Managed Care with ODJFS.
Those interested in serving on the Council can apply through the Health Care Reform website at www.healthcarereform.ohio.gov. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 27.
The mission of the Ohio Department of Insurance is to provide consumer protection through education and fair but vigilant regulation while promoting a stable and competitive environment for insurers. The Department regulates and licenses nearly 1,700 insurance companies, more than 212,000 agents, and more than 16,100 insurance agencies, and monitors the financial solvency of the insurance industry in Ohio. For additional information, please call the Department at 1-800-686-1527 or visit the Department’s web site at www.insurance.ohio.gov.