HealthPartners names Blake Berquist Chief Financial Officer

Business Wire

BLOOMINGTON, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
HealthPartners announced that Blake Berquist has joined the organization as executive vice president and chief financial officer. He will lead finance across HealthPartners, including the care group, health plan and institute. He will also be responsible for real estate, supply chain and supporting organizational growth strategies.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Blake to the HealthPartners team as we work to make health care and coverage more affordable for those we serve,” says Andrea Walsh, president and CEO of HealthPartners. “Blake has a strong track record of financial stewardship as well as a reputation for team building and delivering results. His experience will help us navigate the financial challenges of our industry and strengthen our ability as a non-profit health system to generate the necessary margin to fulfill our mission of health improvement for our patients, members and community.”

Berquist brings more than 17 years of health care finance and operations experience, including CFO roles across commercial, Medicare and Medicaid programs. Most recently, he served as CFO for UnitedHealthcare’s national commercial health insurance business, serving more than 30 million members.

Berquist grew up and lives in the Twin Cities. His work in the community includes serving as a board member and treasurer for the Northside Economic Opportunity Network. He is currently a volunteer tax preparer with Prepare + Prosper.

He replaces Penny Cermak who retired earlier this month.

About HealthPartners

HealthPartners is a nonprofit organization with a mission of improving health and well-being in partnership with its members, patients and community. An integrated system of care and coverage since its founding in 1957, HealthPartners operates hospitals and clinics, health plans, and a research and education institute. The Minneapolis-based organization serves more than 1.4 million patients in Minnesota and Wisconsin and 1.4 million medical and dental health plan members nationwide. For more information, visit healthpartners.com.