BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker Wednesday named two final members to the Massachusetts Health Connector Board of Directors: Michael Chernew, Ph. D., Leonard D. Schaeffer Professor of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School, and Dimitry Petion, president and Chief Executive Officer of Mulberry Systems, Inc. Chernew and Petion join Mark Gaunya and Rina Vertes to complete Governor Baker’s four appointments to vacancies on the 11-member Health Connector Board.
“I am pleased to announce these appointments and am confident Michael and Dimitry will bring their wisdom and expertise to the Health Connector Board as we work vigorously to improve a system still in need of much work,” said Baker. “Our administration believes that people are policy and our team is bound to make progress to benefit the Commonwealth.”
“Our state deserves to have an efficiently run exchange available for individuals and families,” said Lieutenant Governor Polito. “We are pleased to have Mr. Petion and Dr. Chernew join the Connector Board and look forward to their positive contributions.”
“I look forward to joining the Health Connector Board to fill the health economist seat and bring a new perspective toward increasing efficiencies and the functionality of our health care system,” said Chernew. “I want to thank Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito for this opportunity to serve the Commonwealth and improve health care for our families.”
“This is a welcome opportunity to represent the interests of small business owners across the state as we strive to make health care more affordable and accessible,” said Petion. “I appreciate the chance to serve on the Health Connector Board during this important time to make positive strides for the business community and help employers improve options for workers.”
Chernew will sit in the seat reserved by statute for a health economist and Petion will serve in the seat reserved for the small business community. They will participate in the next board meeting on April 9th, and join Gaunya, the broker community member, and Vertes, the health insurance actuary member.
