Industry & Services >> CEO Interviews >> August 3, 1998
JOSEPH W. KENNEY is President and CEO of Cemara Health, Inc. He founded
the Company in response to the requests of company presidents for help
controlling escalating health and workers' compensation costs. Cemara is
a managed healthcare company serving as a 'medical purchasing agent' for
employers by negotiating direct contracts with providers and developing
preferred provider organizations. Cemara Security, a wholly owned
subsidiary, is a health insurance company serving small employers and
individuals. In addition, Cemara provides corporate wellness programs,
claims administration, and monitors utilization. Mr. Kenney has over 25
years experience in a broad range of healthcare management and
consulting positions. He was the start-up CEO of an Oklahoma
multispecialty group clinic, a merger of a dozen medical practices. Mr.
Kenney recruited additional physicians to the community, plus developed
the management, human resources and supervisory structure to support the
clinic. The clinic expanded to $8 million in annual revenue within a two
year period. He served as an officer and board member of the Center of
Policy Studies, a health policy research firm, and was elected to the
board of directors of the National Kidney Foundation where he served as
secretary and member of the finance committee. Further, he was President
and CEO of a company providing contract management services to
physicians and hospitals. He also developed and managed a managed care
network in Minneapolis, comprised of physicians and hospitals as a
preferred provider organization and an entity to assume HMO risk under
capitation payment. He started his career at the Mayo Clinic where he
worked as the administrator for several medical departments, including
the Cancer Center and the Dialysis and Transplantation Programs. Mr.
Kenney holds a Masters in Hospital Administration from the University of
Minnesota and served on the Adjunct Faculty of the University in their
program of Hospital and Healthcare Administration. Over the years, he
has made numerous presentations to medical societies, medical management
groups and published articles in healthcare journals regarding
healthcare issues. Mr. Kenney's vast experience 'inside' the healthcare
system is a key factor in Cemara's approach to managed healthcare. He
believes that the most effective way to manage healthcare is to maintain
a strong partnership-relationship between business and providers,
combined with wellness and prevention programs. Profile
Mr. Kenney: Our vision at Cemara is to bring a competitive advantage to
the small and mid range employers by helping them control their
