Who Is Verda?
VERDA Healthcare is a new Medicare Advantage Plan launched by a passionate, purpose-driven group of experienced healthcare professionals committed to the idea that healthcare should be easily and equitably accessed by all. It is designed for people 65 and older who live in predominantly underserved, ethnic communities across the United States, especially Asian-American, Hispanic-American and Arab-American communities.
Founders & Board Members
Frank S. Vo
President/CEO, Cofounder/Board Member
Mr. Vo has extensive experience as a CEO, CFO, and COO in various HMO plans featuring Chronic Special Needs Programs in Southern California. He co-launched and founded three Medicare health plans: Honored Citizens Choice Health Plan, Easy Choice Health Plan, and Astiva Health. In addition to overseeing health plan operations, he served as an executive sponsor and program manager for multiple healthcare managed outsourcing and software development organizations, including Vitech Inc., Ika Systems, and Cognizant/Trizetto. Mr. Vo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Econometrics with a specialization in Business Administration and Computing from the University of California, Los Angeles.
VIET T. DAO, M.D
Cofounder/Board Chair
THINH H. TRAN, M.D., MBA
Cofounder/Board Treasurer
Dr. Tran has served as President and COO for Provider Network Solution; was COO and Chief Clinical Officer for the University of Miami health System; Chief Medical, Quality Officer and Vice President at Baptist Health South Florida; Chief Quality and Patient Safety Officer at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, and Medical Director for the Southwest Region at Aetna.
HENRIETTE RIEFFEL, M.S., P.E.
Cofounder/Board Member
A structural engineer and a real estate entrepreneur, she was senior project manager for large utility projects and served as an expert witness in construction defect and storm damages for City of Burbank, Carter Burgess, AIG, EFI, USAA, Town of Greenwich, and Connecticut Utility Commission. Founded Maritimus Mundo, now a multi-million-dollar real estate company with branches in California, Connecticut, Florida, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Spain.
JAMES T. KIM, M.D.
Cofounder/Board Secretary
Dr. Kim is an expert cardiologist at his practices in both National City and Chula Vista. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Society of Echocardiography. Dr. Kim has published many papers on his work and lectures to physicians, residents and medical students.
JOSE PELAYO, DC
Board Member
An entrepreneurial executive with a 30+ years successful history of developing and operationalizing innovative business models, organizational structures, and strategic plans in the health care industry. Dr. Pelayo received Doctorate degree from New York Chiropractic College in 1986. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Provider Network Solutions, LLC. (PNS) in Florida. He also serves as the board chairman of PNS-PR servicing Puerto Rico market.
Executive Team
Frank S. Vo
President/CEO, Cofounder/Board Member
Mr. Vo has extensive experience as a CEO, CFO, and COO in various HMO plans featuring Chronic Special Needs Programs in Southern California. He co-launched and founded three Medicare health plans: Honored Citizens Choice Health Plan, Easy Choice Health Plan, and Astiva Health. In addition to overseeing health plan operations, he served as an executive sponsor and program manager for multiple healthcare managed outsourcing and software development organizations, including Vitech Inc., Ika Systems, and Cognizant/Trizetto. Mr. Vo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Econometrics with a specialization in Business Administration and Computing from the University of California, Los Angeles.
DOROTHY CHAN, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
Christopher Bond
Chief Growth Officer
Christopher is a dynamic Marketing and Sales leader with over 20 years plus of proven results in various roles for national and regional health plans in the Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan space. Prior to joining Verda, Christopher had served as the Vice President of Sales for SCAN Health Plan. During his extensive tenure at SCAN, Christopher was responsible for planning membership growth for all sales distribution channels, enrollment forecasting, sales distribution strategy, and marketing pilot implementation, directed and managed captive field and tele sales channels, employer group business, and EMO relationships which resulted in a significant increase of 287k members.
DR. TRI TONG
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Tong has served in numerous leadership roles for several managed healthcare systems, including Regal Medical Group, Memorial Care, and Adventist HealthCare. His clinical practice in emergency medicine has included positions at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, UCSD Medical Center, Naval Medical Center San Diego, and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals. Dr. Tong was the editor of the Medical Toxicology and Pharmacology Journal for Vituity/CEP America, and medical director for Critical Care Transport Nurses, Inc. He has also provided expert legal opinions and consultation for the CA Board of Osteopathic Medicine, CA Department of Consumer Affairs, and the CA DOJ.
Marc Carren
Chief Information Officer
Marc brings great wealth of 20 plus years of experience as a strategic business and operations-focused in Information Technology (IT). His track record includes delivering technology and business solutions that drive market-leading patient quality outcomes and differentiation in the value-based care marketplace within the healthcare managed industry. Furthermore, Marc had successfully led large, complex, technology-driven healthcare enterprises platform and initiative pilots within the operational and administrative of payor operations and provider groups management.
Angie Denning
Senior Vice President, Finance
Angie Denning is an Accounting Senior Executive who is passionate about fostering strong business partnerships within Companies to promote transparent financial reporting. Born and raised in Southern California, she began her career in public accounting in 2002 after graduating from the University of Redlands Summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a double Minor in Economics and Art History. She has been a licensed CPA since 2005. Angie is a recognized leader and specialist of her craft as a dedicated colleague of business owners helping to drive vision through innovation and fiduciary responsibility
Ronald McGinnis
Vice President, Compliance and Privacy
Mr. McGinnis brings over 25 years of expertise in overseeing healthcare operations, compliance, and regulatory affairs. With a rich professional background that includes leadership roles at prominent health plans like UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, Blue Shield of CA, CalOptima, and Molina Healthcare, Mr. McGinnis has demonstrated proficiency in managing various facets of the healthcare industry. He is recognized as a subject matter expert and accomplished speaker, particularly in the areas of Commercial and Medicare Appeals & Grievance Member processes, OIG Integrity Agreement Management, Account Management, and Strategic Initiatives. Mr. McGinnis holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and is a Certified Healthcare Insurance Executive with AHIP.
HOWARD SANER
Senior Vice President, Operations