Healthways Announces New Board Members
Healthways, Inc. (NASDAQ: HWAY) today announced the appointment of L. Ben Lytle and Jack Wickens to the Company’s Board of Directors. Lytle is former CEO of Axia Health Management, LLC and of Anthem, Inc. (now Wellpoint, Inc.). Wickens is former President for UnitedHealthcare health plans throughout the U.S.
“Ben and Jack are widely respected and deeply experienced healthcare executives who bring two very distinct, strategic perspectives and added strength to Healthways,” said Ben R. Leedle Jr., president and CEO of Healthways. “Both of these seasoned healthcare strategists will be invaluable to Healthways as we head into our next phase of growth.”
Lytle, 60, brings an understanding of both the health and healthcare systems, having run one of the largest health plans in the country as well as having built Axia Health Management LLC, the country’s largest prevention and wellness company. Healthways acquired Axia Health Management in December 2006. In addition to his service on the Board of Directors, Lytle will serve on the Company’s Strategic Advisory Board and provide ongoing counsel in the areas of strategy and innovation exclusively for Healthways.
Lytle said, “It’s a tremendously exciting time in healthcare, where we’re seeing an increasing union of preventative, alternative and complementary care with traditional medicine as well as an increase in awareness among consumers about the importance of personal responsibility in taking care of themselves and preventing chronic disease. Healthways has assembled the industry-leading capability to deliver on that promise, and I’m very excited about being a part of that. I believe we will change the nature of health in the U.S. as a result.”
Wickens, 50, has more than 27 years of healthcare experience, including more than 10 years with UnitedHealthcare. During his tenure with UnitedHealthcare, he served as a regional president, as a health plan CEO and as national health plan president. Prior to joining UnitedHealthcare, Wickens served as vice president of HealthCare Operations for Prudential’s Southeast Region. He also held the position of Chief Financial Officer for Prudential’s Southeast Region. He recently joined Compass Executives as a consulting partner.
Wickens said, “As a personal wellness enthusiast and a former executive with one of the country’s largest health plans, I believe in what Healthways is doing, and I’m convinced that the marrying of preventative health support services with care support for those with chronic disease is the future. Healthways has a sound business model, a solid grasp of the market and a strategic direction of which I am thrilled to be a part.”
Wickens also is a Health Care Solutions Group fellow, chairman of the national board of The Wellness Community and serves on the Boards of the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation and the U.S. Track & Field Foundation. He has an economics degree from Bucknell University and currently resides in the Nashville area.
Lytle, who resides in Tucson, Ariz., also serves on the boards of Duke Realty Investments, Inc., U.S.I. Holdings Corporation, Monaco Coach Corporation and is chairman of the Foundation for Better Health. In October 1999, he retired as Anthem CEO but remained as chairman of the board until May 2003. During that time Lytle built, took public and sold Acordia, Inc., which became the world’s seventh-largest insurance broker under his leadership. He is a member of the board of the American Enterprise Institute and is an Executive in Residence at the University of Arizona. He began his career in information systems after receiving his law degree from Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M.
“The insight that Jack and Ben will bring to the table as Healthways continues its development of WholeHealth solutions will serve the Company well,” Leedle said. “We look forward to their active participation and direction as the newest members of Healthways’ Board.”
Safe Harbor Provisions
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. In order for Healthways to utilize the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, investors are hereby cautioned that these statements may be affected by the important factors, among others, included in the discussion in Part I, Item 1A, and Part II, Item 7, of Healthways’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006 and Part I, Item 2, and Part II, Item 1A, of Healthways’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2006. Consequently, actual operations and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Healthways undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements.
About Healthways
Healthways is the leading provider of specialized, comprehensive Health and Care SupportSM solutions to help millions of people maintain or improve their health and, as a result, reduce overall healthcare costs. Healthways’ programs are designed to help healthy individuals stay healthy, mitigate and slow the progression of disease associated with family or lifestyle risk factors and promote the best possible health for those already affected by disease. Our proven, evidence-based programs provide highly specific and personalized interventions for each individual in a population, irrespective of age or health status, and are delivered to consumers by phone, mail, internet and face-to-face interactions, both domestically and internationally. Healthways also provides a national, fully accredited complementary and alternative Health Provider Network, offering convenient access to individuals who seek health services outside of, and in conjunction with, the traditional healthcare system. For more information, please visit www.healthways.com.