Succeeds Alan J. Murray, who was named to a national role within Empire’s parent company
New York, NY – Empire BlueCross BlueShield and Empire BlueCross today announced that Victor DeStefano, Empire’s general manager of commercial business, has been appointed to serve as interim president effective July 1.
“The Empire team continues to be focused on its mission to materially and measurably improve the health of all New Yorkers and serve as a lifetime, trusted partner in health,” said Morgan Kendrick, Executive Vice President, Commercial and Specialty Health Benefits for the parent company of Empire BlueCross BlueShield. “Victor has been an integral part of our New York health plan and expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare for consumers. He is poised to lead this transition and support the Empire team’s continued growth.”
DeStefano steps into the role left by Alan J. Murray, who has been named Chief Business Development Officer, Provider Services for Empire’s parent company. Murray will lead the development of the company’s provider enablement strategy and collaborate with care providers across the health ecosystem.
“All of us at Empire are grateful for Alan’s leadership of the New York plan, especially during the pandemic, and we will continue to benefit from his vision and expertise as he takes on a new national role focused on strengthening value-based arrangements with our care provider partners,” Kendrick added.
DeStefano is a New York native, born and raised in Staten Island. He holds a bachelor’s in management from Binghamton University and a Master of Public Health from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. DeStefano is active in the community as a mentor for American Corporate Partners, and most recently took on a leadership role with the nonprofit Breaking Ground. He also volunteers with City Harvest. DeStefano has been instrumental in Empire's initiative to establish a food pantry at Walter Weaver P.S. 398 in Brooklyn, taking action to directly tackle health issues within the community.
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About Empire BlueCross BlueShield and Empire BlueCross in New York
Empire BlueCross BlueShield and Empire BlueCross (Empire) is on a mission to improve the health of New Yorkers. Empire is the largest health insurer in New York supporting more than four million members and more than 38,000 business, union, and small employers. Empire is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State. Additional information about Empire is available at
www.empireblue.com.