Ron Walczak
About Ron Walczak
Ron Walczak serves as the Director of Operational Excellence and Quality for Medicare Advantage, ACA, and CHIP at Highmark Inc., where he has worked since 2018. He has a strong background in leadership and operational improvement, having previously held roles at Ernst & Young and Highmark Inc.
Work at Highmark
Ron Walczak has been serving as the Director of Operational Excellence/Quality for Medicare Advantage, ACA, and CHIP at Highmark Inc. since 2018. In this role, he focuses on enhancing operational processes and quality standards within the Medicare Advantage sector. Prior to this position, he worked as a Senior Program Manager at Highmark from 2014 to 2018, where he contributed to various initiatives aimed at improving healthcare delivery and operational efficiency.
Education and Expertise
Ron Walczak holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Capital University, where he studied from 1984 to 1986. He furthered his education by earning a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) from Geneva College in 2007. Additionally, he completed a Master of Science in Leadership and Information Technology (MSLIT) at Duquesne University from 2008 to 2009. He also has an Associate of Science in Electrical Engineering from Youngstown State University, which he obtained from 1978 to 1980.
Background
Before joining Highmark, Ron Walczak worked at Ernst & Young as a Senior Manager from 1987 to 1990. His diverse background in both healthcare and business management has equipped him with a unique skill set that supports his current role in operational excellence and quality improvement within the Medicare Advantage programs.
Achievements
Ron Walczak has led significant initiatives at Highmark, including the integration of clinical data from a newly acquired health plan to support Stars and VBR programs. He implemented a pharmacy point of sale capability for drugs and durable medical equipment, which streamlined operations. His efforts resulted in the elimination of $1.4 million in waste by reducing the number of programs and enhancing operational efficiency. He also received the Government Markets Impact Award for improving processes within the Appeals & Grievances department.