Management Team
ELWOOD KLEAVER - CEO
Elwood I. Kleaver, Jr., is an insurance and management consultant with over 30 years executive leadership experience in the managed care industry, specializing in turnaround activities and strategic direction. Mr. Kleaver began his career in health care in Washington, DC, with the national health care association, American Association of Health Plans (formerly known as Group Health Association of America) as its chief financial officer. He continued to advance his career and became the chief executive officer of several for-profit private and public companies as well as county health care organizations. He serves on several board of directors and advises venture capital firms on health care matters. In addition to his board responsibilities at Primary Health, Mr. Kleaver has assumed the role of chief executive officer of Primary Health, Inc. Mr. Kleaver holds a Master of Commercial Science in Financial Management degree from Benjamin Franklin University.
DAVID SELF - PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
David Self joined Primary Health, Inc. in January 2006 as Senior Vice President of Sales and Chief Marketing Officer. Self has 17 years of experience working with healthcare payers and has developed healthcare practices and key partner relationships for Microsoft, Accenture, Deloitte Consulting and IBM Global Services. From 1989 to 2001, Self held several positions at Regence Blue Shield of Idaho/Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah, and most recently served as vice president of sales and marketing for Idaho and Utah.
MARK AMMONS - DIRECTOR OF PLAN OPERATIONS
Mark Ammons joined Primary Health, Inc. in April 2006 as Director of Plan Operations. With over 20 years experience in the health care and technology industries, his role entails managing enrollment, claims processing, customer service, and contractual compliance practices. He is a retired Naval Officer and while serving in the Navy, he was responsible for building the specifications of work for all naval healthcare contracting. He holds a Master's of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan.
LINDA DUER - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IDAHO PHYSICIANS NETWORK
Linda Duer joined Primary Health, Inc. in April of 2000 as the Executive Director of Idaho Physicians Network (IPN). She oversees contracting, reimbursement and credentialing of the provider network. She has over fifteen years of experience working with providers and payors and has successfully developed two statewide networks. Before joining Primary Health, Inc. she was contracting manager for both CCN, a national PPPO provider network, and Blue Cross of Idaho. Duer has also held provider relations positions at Regence Blue Shield of Idaho and Premera Blue Cross of Washington. She received a Bachelor's Degreee in Education from Eastern Washington University and holds a K-12 teacher certification certificate. Duer is actively involved with youth sports programs and serves as a Board member for several community organizations.
DR. ROBERT FRIEDMAN, MD - CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Friedman is responsible for the medical management of the health plan including oversight of utilization management and quality improvement. He has practiced medicine in Idaho for over seventeen years and is currently the Medical Director and coordinator of specialty children's clinics at Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital. He is also Medical Director for the MDA Clinic and Pain Program, SRU and Pediatric Program. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians and a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School completing his internship and residency in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
MIKE HRONEK - DIRECTOR, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
As the Director of Information Technology, Mike Hronek leads a team of IT professionals who design and support custom computer programs for Primary Health Plan and its affiliated third party administrator, Riverside Benefit Administrators. He also oversees member access to Primary Health Plan's online information and provides support for enrollment and claims services. Hronek comes to Primary Health with over 17 years experience in computer and healthcare technology, most recently as a consultant developing web applications for medical/dental claims adjudication and other employee benefit administration custom software solutions.
DR. WILLIAM JONAKIN - PRESIDENT, IDAHO PHYSICIANS NETWORK
As President of Idaho Physicians Network, Dr. Jonakin oversees one of the largest independent physician associations in Idaho. He is founder and President of Capital City Family Medicine in Boise. He acquired a BS in Biology from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and his MD from the University of Alabama (Birmingham). He completed a Pediatric residency at Keesler Air Force Base Medical Center in Biloxi, Mississippi, and additional training in Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics. He is a member of the National Lipid Association, the International Atherosclerosis Society, the Society for the Eradication of Heart Attack, the American Society of Hypertension and the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. He is also designated by the Federal Aviation Administration as an Aviation Medical Examiner.
CHRISTINE SAMUELSON, RN,BSN - DIRECTOR OF CARE MANAGEMENT
Christine Samuelson joined Primary Health, Inc. in 2006 as the Director of Care management. In addition to her care management responsibilities, she oversees a disease management program which includes health risk assessments and wellness programs for members of Primary Health Plan and Riverside Benefit Administrators. She has over 24 years experience in health care including 11 years with St. Alphonsus where she directed many departments such as the emergency department, air ambulance and trauma services. She was also instrumental in strengthening Idaho's seat belt law and participated in the development of Idaho's first trauma registry.