Daniel Mitten is stepping down as executive director of the Oregon Coalition of Health Care Purchasers to take what he calls “an unbelievable opportunity that I can’t let pass by.” In mid-November he’ll become the director of operations for a web development agency, Squishy Media, that specializes in projects for government and healthcare entities -- the Oregon Health Care Quality Corporation is among its clients.
“It came about by happenstance, there are very few opportunities that come along like that; I wasn’t actively seeking a new position, but didn’t want to regret letting it pass by,” Mitten told The Lund Report.
The coalition’s board hasn’t decided whether to replace Mitten by choosing someone from inside the organization or seek external candidates. But Brian DeVore, director of healthcare ecosystem and strategy for Intel Corporation, who chairs the coalition’s board has reassured Mitten there’ll be a smooth transition. Also, the coalition’s annual conference on Dec. 11 is going ahead as planned.
Mitten is convinced the coalition will remain as strong as ever. “There might be a little blip but as far as any initiatives it will continue on.” And, he has nothing but praise for the coalition’s board and his two staff members.
The coalition is a nonprofit membership organization that represents 24 private and 20 public employers in Oregon and southwest Washington that offer group benefits to roughly 500,000 employees.
Mitten, 43, moved to Portland with his wife last November after quitting his job as executive director of the Maricopa County Medical Society in Arizona without a job, in a “leap of faith,” he said, and began working for the coalition in April.
“It’s been an eye-opening and fulfilling experience watching everyone become more engaged with the health insurance exchange,” he said. “I was in the right place at the right time and fortunate to be a participant.”
Diane can be reached at [email protected].
