United Physicians Appoints Deborah Tasich Withrow Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer

BINGHAM FARMS, Mich., Dec 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Physicians has appointed Deborah Tasich Withrow as Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of Michigan's largest independent physician organization.

"I look forward to working with our physicians in developing new models of integration as they continue to deliver unsurpassed healthcare to their patients," said Withrow.

Since August 2011, Withrow has acted as the Interim COO & General Counsel for United Physicians. Withrow joined United Physicians in April 2011 as its Senior Vice President and General Counsel. She brings robust industry experience from the legal transactional perspective as well as operational perspective having represented both health plans and providers for more than 23 years. Prior to joining United Physicians, Withrow most recently served as Vice President, Associate General Counsel for Health Alliance Plan of Michigan (HAP).

"With the evolving healthcare market demanding value-based reimbursement, it is critical that physician organizations are both clinically and financially focused," said Michael Williams, M.D., President and CEO of United Physicians. "Deborah's vast experience in the healthcare industry, especially on the payor side, will bring tremendous value to our organization and shareholders."

Withrow received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1984 and her Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University in 1987. Withrow served on a number of nonprofit Boards, including Paramount Care, Inc., Kids Care of Michigan, and the United Physicians Research Institute. She is an active member of the Michigan Bar Association and several professional associations, including the Michigan Bar Association, Association of Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), and National Health Lawyers Association (NHLA).

About United Physicians, Inc.

United Physicians is an organization of more than 1,600 physicians who have medical staff privileges at multiple medical centers throughout southeastern Michigan. United Physicians serves the professional and economic interests of its members by negotiating and facilitating participation in healthcare plans, providing services that promote quality and efficiency in practice management, facilitating doctor credentialing with health plans, and offering health insurance products. Visit www.updoctors.com.

SOURCE United Physicians, P.C.