John Distefano To Lead Ernst And Young Health Care Advisory Services

 Ethan Strassfield, Big4.com Staff Reporter

Ernst & Young LLP has announced John Distefano as leader of the health care practice of its Advisory Services Group, to help companies integrate the new health care law into their overall strategy and change their business models,

The Advisory health care practice focuses on providing strategic, financial, risk, IT and performance improvement services to companies in the payor and provider segments.

“We are delighted to welcome John back to Ernst & Young,” says Bryan Segedi, Vice Chair, Advisory Services, Ernst & Young LLP. “His significant experience and strong leadership capabilities will drive the execution of our health care practice as we continue to help clients manage risk and improve performance during this historic period.”

Prior, Distefano was a Principal with Deloitte Consulting, serving as a major accounts leader and member of the firm’s Health Plan Advisory Board. He joined Deloitte from BearingPoint, where he was managing director and practice leader of its Healthcare Payor practice. From 1990 to 2007, Distefano was with Accenture in global practice leadership responsibilities.

Distefano brings with him three decades of consulting experience in advisory services specific to the health care industry, including payor, provider, government programs and pharmacy benefits management. His deep industry background includes developing multi-million dollar growth platforms and helping health care organizations reduce cost, improve quality of care, manage profitability and identify opportunities for growth.

“Ernst & Young is already helping clients, including those beyond the payor and provider sector, such as large employers, quickly get up to speed so they are prepared for the coming changes,” says Distefano. “This is not a ’one size fits all’ legislation. It will affect each organization differently.”

Distefano earned a Master’s of Management degree in Information Management from Washington University and a Bachelor’s of Business degree in Quantitative and Information Science, from Western Illinois University.

May 2010