FLORIDA HEALTH CARE PLANS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF STEPHEN KEEN, MD, FAAFP AS PRESIDENT AND CEO

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Florida Health Care Plans (FHCP), a pioneering provider of health insurance plans and integrated health care solutions serving over 100,000 members in Flagler, Volusia, Seminole, Brevard, and St. Johns counties and part of the GuideWell family of health solution companies, announced today the appointment of Stephen Keen, MD, FAAFP as President and CEO. Effective January 1, 2024, Keen will succeed Dave Schandel, who has led FHCP as President and CEO for four years and is retiring in February after a successful 29-year career with the organization.

“Dr. Keen is a highly respected, seasoned physician-leader who has shown his dedication and commitment to improving the health and well-being of FHCP’s employees, patients, and communities,” said Elana Schrader, MD, Senior Vice President of Health Care Services at Florida Blue and President of GuideWell Health. “Dr. Keen continues his tenure as FHCP enters its 50th year, where he will build upon the successful integrated model of compassionate whole-person care that Dave Schandel championed.”

Keen joined FHCP in 2013 as a primary care physician before taking the role of Medical Director of Utilization, Quality, and Case Management, where he worked closely with the Chief Medical Officer on key strategic medical initiatives and day-to-day operations of quality improvement and utilization management functions. In his current role as Vice President of Business Operations, Keen oversees key operational activities, including clinical pharmacy, pharmacy services, claims, payment integrity, provider contracting, member services, and health information management.

“I am excited to step into this role to lead FHCP into the future. The landscape of healthcare is constantly changing, and with that comes opportunities for growth, innovation, and continuous improvement focused on building an even better health system for our members. With the support of 1,500 professional team members working hard to help make a difference in the lives of our members and community every day, it is my privilege to commit to meeting the possibilities and challenges that lay before us.” said Dr. Keen. 

A Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician and an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Florida State University, Keen is the recipient of several awards for his teaching, clinical supervision, and patient care. He received his medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and trained in family medicine at Halifax Health Residency in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Since GuideWell acquired FHCP in 2009, when they became an affiliate of Florida Blue, the leading health insurer in Florida, the organization has expanded to 32 locations and now serves more than 100,000 members in five counties.

Media Contact

NAME     Karen Eastman     

EMAIL     keastman@fhcp.com

PHONE   386-676-7100

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About Florida Health Care Plans

Florida Health Care Plans (FHCP) was founded in Volusia County in 1974 and is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Today the organization serves more than 100,000 members in Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, Brevard, and Seminole counties. FHCP is honored to be considered a healthcare leader and is committed to providing unsurpassed healthcare delivered by professionals who are dedicated to wellness and optimal health. 

About GuideWell

GuideWell comprises Florida’s Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, Florida Blue, which is the leading health insurer in Florida; Triple-S Management, Puerto Rico’s Blue Cross Blue Shield plan and a leading health care services company on the island; GuideWell Health, a portfolio of clinical delivery organizations; PopHealthCare and its value-based national medical group Emcara Health; GuideWell Source, which provides administrative services to federal health care programs; and WebTPA, a market leading administrator of self-funded employer health plans. The company holds majority or significant interests in a range of health solutions companies including Lucet, a behavioral health care company that provides technology-enabled support to payers, providers, and health plan members. Through a joint venture with Keralty, a multinational health business group with more than 40 years of global experience, GuideWell is expanding care delivery across Florida through more than 40 Sanitas direct care delivery locations.

GuideWell serves 38.5 million people across 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including more than 6 million individuals in Florida.

For additional information visit www.GuideWell.com. For the latest news and content, visit the GuideWell Newsroom, and follow GuideWell on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram @LifeAtGuideWell; and X (formerly Twitter) @_GuideWell.