Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.: Madison health care attorney named interim CEO of national health care association

For more information contact:
Peggy Schicantek
(414) 978-5346
pschicantek@whdlaw.com

MILWAUKEE (Aug. 22, 2014) – Jerard J. Jensen, a senior member of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.’s (WHD) Health Law Team and managing partner of the law firm’s Madison, Wis., office, was named this week as interim CEO of the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) in Englewood, Colo., an organization representing more than 33,000 medical practice administrators and executives nationwide.

“I am delighted that MGMA has selected Jerard for this interim executive position, says WHD Chief Executive Paul Eberle. “Our attorneys strive to be trusted advisers to their clients, and Jerard’s appointment exemplifies this. He is a key member of our highly regarded Health Law Team, and this development further reinforces the team’s talent and its focus on client success.”

Jensen, who will remain a practicing senior health care attorney in Madison while MGMA seeks a permanent CEO, was a good fit to take over temporary leadership of the organization, said MGMA Board Chair Stephen A. Dickens, who noted that Jensen has been the group’s outside legal counsel and already knows the organization well.

“Jensen is an exceptional leader and will help to ensure a thoughtful and organized transition of leadership of MGMA,’’ he said, noting that Jensen has been MGMA’s legal counsel for two years and has worked in almost every aspect of health care, representing hospitals, physician groups, health insurers, clinics, doctors, and health care organizations and associations.

Jensen fills shoes familiar to Madison. He replaces Dr. Susan Turney, who was executive director of the Medical Society of Wisconsin prior to leading MGMA. Turney was recently named the new head of the Marshfield Clinic Health System in Marshfield, Wis.

“I was a good fit for the transition role because I know the organization and its strategic plan, and I have been a health care attorney for 27 years, so I am very familiar with the issues,’’ said Jensen, who is a senior attorney on WHD’s Health Law Team of 30 professionals.

“My job as interim CEO will be to make sure everyone in the organization is still moving forward with the plan, with the goal of assisting MGMA members in creating strong, dynamic, successful practices that meet the needs of today’s patients,’’ he said, noting that he’ll still be a Madison-based attorney and continue to manage WHD’s Madison office of 33 attorneys, while traveling to Colorado several times a month.

Through its national membership and 50 state affiliates, MGMA represents more than 33,000 medical practice administrators and executives in practices of all sizes, types, structures and specialties. MGMA is headquartered in Englewood, Colo., with a Government Affairs office in Washington, D.C.