20 top execs that have recently left Optum

In 2024, at least 20 top executives previously with UnitedHealth Group's Optum have announced their departures for new positions with companies across the country. 

Optum executive departures in 2023 are here.

Editor's note: This article was updated Oct. 31 and will continue to be updated in 2024.

1. Optum's SVP of payer sales, Jason Stenta, was named SVP and chief commercial officer at Walgreens in October.
   
   
2. Optum Health's VP of finance and CFO of shared services, Leif Pedersen, became CFO at P3 Health Partners in October.
   
   
3. Optum's VP of revenue cycle operations, Christopher Fontes, was named Northern California executive director of revenue cycle at Kaiser Permanente in September. 
   
   
4. Optum at Home's chief medical officer, Kristofer Smith, left the company in September.
   
   
5. Optum Health's CIO for care delivery, Simon Nazarian, was named chief digital and technology officer at City of Hope in September.
   
   
6. Optum's naviHealth CEO, Harrison Frist, departed from the company in August.
   
   
7. Optum Health's CNO and Optum Home & Community's COO, Kristy Duffey, APRN, was named chief clinical officer at Cinqcare in August.
   
   
8. Optum Health's CFO, Mark Flakne, was tapped as CFO of Included Health, a healthcare services company, in August.
   
   
9. Optum Washington's executive medical director, Nari Heshmati, MD, was named chief physician at Fort Myers, Fla.-based Lee Health's Physician Group in August.
   
   
10. Optum Financial's VP of operations, John Bruer, was named COO of Bloom in August.
    
    
11. Optum's SVP of human capital, Melissa Mann, was named chief people officer at Inspire Medical Systems in July.
    
    
12. Optum's California president, Chris Mayne, was named president of AccentCare's home health division in June.
    
    
13. Optum's COO in New Jersey, Amit Mody, was named executive vice president of business development at Teaneck, N.J.-based Holy Name in June.
    
    
14. Optum's chief technology officer, Melissa Flicek, was named CIO at BCBS Minnesota in April.
     
15. Optum's SVP of artificial intelligence and analytics platforms Sanji Fernando left the company in April and joined healthcare-focused private equity firm Frazier Healthcare Partners.
    
    
16. Optum's vice president of tech-enabled transformation, Tina Eller, was named chief experience officer at Aspirion in April.
    
    
17. Optum Rx's senior vice president Tom Choate left the company in April to become president and CEO at Liberty Dental Plan. He had previously served as CEO of national accounts at UnitedHealth Group.
    
    
18. Optum's Landmark Health COO Becca Miller Rose was named COO at WelbeHealth in March.
    
    
19. Optum Financial CEO Kurt Adams left the company in March.
    
    
20. Optum Tri-State CEO Kevin Conroy left to pursue new opportunities outside the organization, the Examiner News reported in January.