John D. Forsyth
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Forsyth joined Wellmark as president and CEO in August 1996 and was named chairman in 2000.  During his tenure, Forsyth has repositioned Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield as a health improvement company.  His vision to improve the health status of the people of Iowa and South Dakota and their members has not only energized the corporation, but resulted in exceptional financial and marketplace results as well as operating efficiencies. 

Believing the extensive health care data maintained by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield could provide a powerful catalyst for action to improve community health throughout Iowa and South Dakota, Forsyth was instrumental in the development and publication of The Wellmark Report.  The nationally recognized resource offers at-a-glance comparisons of local health care variation across the two states.  This data results directly in providing insights that communities can use in improving health status.

Through Forsyth's leadership, the Wellmark Foundation refocused its philanthropic activities on projects to invest in and improve the health of women, children and rural populations in Iowa and South Dakota, awarding over $1 million annually for community-based health initiatives.

Before joining Wellmark, Forsyth served in a variety of executive roles over a 26-year career with the University of Michigan.  In 1985, Forsyth was named president and CEO of the University of Michigan Health System.  Under his leadership, the $1.2 billion enterprise, comprised of seven hospitals and satellite clinics located in five countries, established a university owned and operated HMO with more than 200,000 members.

Forsyth holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in economics from Michigan State University. He has been a contributing author and editor for various publications throughout his career, including the Journal of the American College of Healthcare Executives. 

Forsyth has served on numerous health care, professional and business boards of directors and advisory committees.  He currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, is President of the Iowa Life & Health Association and a member of the Iowa Business Council. Forsyth also served two years as Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee for United Way of Central Iowa.  
 

Before joining Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield in 1997, Roberts served in a variety of executive roles over a 15-year career with the University of Michigan. In 1990, Roberts, was named Senior Associate Director of Managed Care Systems for the University of Michigan Health Systems and President and CEO of its HMO, M-CARE, Inc. Under his leadership, overall membership in the university-owned HMO increased almost seven-fold in seven years from 30,000 members to over 200,000 members while its product portfolio expanded to include commercial, point-of-service, small group, self-insured PPO, Medicaid and Medicare Risk managed care products.

At Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Roberts has full responsibility and accountability for all aspects of the company’s managed care strategy and operation. During his tenure, Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc. has increased its product portfolio from two to five managed care products with healthcare services provided to members through a statewide network of hospitals, physicians and allied providers. Additionally, Roberts guided Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa to a three-year accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.  As of 2001, Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa enjoys an "excellent" accreditation status.

Roberts holds a bachelor's degree in business and psychology from the University of California at Berkley, a master's degree in health education from Worcester State College and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and School of Business. Roberts has also completed the Executive Program in Managed Healthcare Administration through the National Center for Managed Care Administration.
 

Griffin has 25 years experience in the insurance industry. She is one of the two public members of the South Dakota Risk Pool’s Governing Board. During her tenure with Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Griffin has served as corporate counsel, provided oversight of compliance and regulatory affairs and served as business ethics officer and board secretary, experiences combining to create a broad-based knowledge of and familiarity with all aspects of Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Before joining Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Griffin was a staff attorney with the Iowa Division of Insurance and, subsequently, First Deputy Insurance Commissioner. As a regulator, Griffin focused on consumer protection and enforcement of Iowa’s insurance laws, including implementation of a program to identify abusive sales practices in the senior health insurance market. Griffin also served for a number of years, including three terms as President, on the Board of Directors for the Iowa Comprehensive Health Association – Iowa’s first effort to address the issues of the uninsured in the state.

A Pittsburgh, Pa., native, Griffin holds a bachelor's degree in political science from The Pennsylvania State University and a law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law.