Purpose of Strategic Advisors
Share operational challenges to help drive group discussions and initiatives
Ensure MCRA Members bring the highest level of value to health plans
Offer information on industry developments to ensure MCRA is focused on today's challenges
MCRA Strategic Advisory Board
Joe Brand
IT Strategic Advisor
Joe Brand is an Information Technology and Business leader with over 30 years of experience in leading business optimization programs in both non-profit and for-profit organizations.
His focus is on Health IT roadmaps and the strategic adoption of technologies within the payer operating model to achieve top and bottom-line value.
Joe’s industry experience in leading large scale transformation programs helps MCRA members understand the challenges facing Health Plans today. This insight allows MCRA members to create meaningful solutions and properly position themselves to support managed care client strategies.
Darren E. Wethers, MD, CPE, FACP
Clinical Strategic Advisor
Darren Wethers is a board-certified internal medicine physician and certified physician executive.
He graduated from Morehouse College, Northwestern University Medical School and completed internal medicine training at Emory University School of Medicine before establishing himself in internal medicine practice in the St. Louis, Missouri area, becoming a “Top Doctor” honoree several years running. Dr. Wethers was the medical staff president at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center in 2006-07 and chaired the facility’s Credentials committee 2007-11.
In 2011, Dr. Wethers began a career in administrative medicine, servings as a medical director with Coventry Health Care and Aetna, vice president of clinical operations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and at Atrio Health Plans, where he served as chief medical officer. He launched Wethers Consulting, LLC in 2023, which has clients including Rebellis Group, Toney Health and MetaDigital.
Dr. Wethers is a member of the American Association for Physician Leadership, Fellow of the American College of Physicians, member of Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Pi Phi fraternities; he is the immediate past chairman of the board for Gamma Mu Educational Services (GMES) and is a board member of Northwestern University Medical School Alumni Association, for which he serves as president-elect and co-chair of the Inclusion and Allyship committee.
Andrew Biernat
Managed Care Business Advisor
Andrew Biernat has had a successful 27-year career as a health insurance and risk management consultant, entrepreneur/business owner and business association leader.
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Currently, Biernat serves as Vice President/Strategic Business Advisor for Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy in New Hartford New York, where he works with large complex organizations, municipal governments, school districts, military contractors, manufacturers, business associations and labor unions and for profit/not for profit enterprises throughout the United States helping to identify, categorize, prioritize risks and opportunities for growth and cost containment.
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Biernat is former President of both the New York State Association of Health Underwriters (Now NABIP New York Chapter) and the Greater Central New York Association of Health Underwriters and currently serves on the board of directors for GPO Federal Credit Union, and the National Association of Benefit and Insurance Professionals - New York State, where he serves as Membership and Media Chairman.
Biernat has also served as the chairman of the Employer Working Group for the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP) in Washington D.C. and currently serves on the legislative council representing region one, which comprises New York and the New England States. Biernat also serves on BIG I New York’s legislative advisory council.
Mostly Medicaid
Medicaid Consultants
Mostly Medicaid has 20 years of experience as a trusted advisor to solution providers looking to expand in the Medicaid and HHS space. Their consultants have extensive experience and their best-in-class delivery model ensures clients receive the value they paid for. This advances them further in the sales process while aligning with unique Medicaid needs. Mostly Medicaid’s unique discovery process gives context for strategy and offers a laser-focused set of options for growth.
Rose Hellwarth, BSN, RN
Dual Integrated Program Strategic Advisor
Rose is a healthcare executive with more than 20 years of experience in bringing both business excellence and clinical expertise to her roles in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Holding roles in both the provider space and the insurance industry she led transformational change and improved operational and quality efficiencies in the Medicare Advantage and Dual Eligible sector.
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With a results-oriented approach, Rose has led the implementation of several dual integrated programs including ISNP, DSNP and Community Health Choice plans across several states. She has been recognized for innovation and excellence in data integration, demonstrating excellence in star quality ratings while undergoing exponential growth in the market.
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Rose is a past President of the Long-Term Care Consortium where she served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. For more than 20 years she has served on the District Attorney’s Crimes Against Older Adults Task Force.
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She was appointed to several Congressional Healthcare Advisory Boards and on the Task Force for the Pennsylvania State Plan on Aging appointed by Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Department of Aging. She served on the Clinton Global Initiative, CGI America as a member of the Workforce Development Group bringing solutions to positively impact the lives of veterans leaving the service and integrating back into civilian life.
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As a strategic adviser to MCRA, Rose shares both payer and provider perspectives with deep knowledge of special needs and integrated plans, government affairs and understanding of how to overcome the biggest challenges in the healthcare industry today. ​