Strong Leaders Grow Stong Companies

With more than a century of combined experience in the managed health care industry, the New West Physicians Management executive leadership team offers an impressive depth of knowledge and strategic ability focused on the company’s vision “to change the face of health care delivery for all.”

This diverse mix of physician executives and veteran industry professionals is guiding New West Physicians through an unprecedented period of growth – a feat made all the more remarkable considering the challenges facing the industry today.

Learn more about the executive leadership team at New West Physicians:

Scott Clemens, MD

President & Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Scott Clemens is an experienced physician leader and practicing internist. Dr. Clemens began his career as a hospitalist but has found that outpatient primary care is his true calling to affect Quadruple Aim outcomes. He has been with New West Physicians since 2007 and has held multiple leadership positions with broad medical management responsibilities. Dr. Clemens has been the Chief Medical Officer and President of New West Physicians since 2020.

Todd Wisser, DO

Medical Director of Medicare Advantage Growth & Retention

Dr. Wisser is an internist in Evergreen and has been with New West Physicians since 2017. He serves as medical director for Mt. Evans Hospice in Evergreen and in 2020 he assumed the role of medical director for Medicare Advantage growth with Optum / New West.  Prior to a career in medicine, Dr. Wisser was a high school chemistry instructor. He enjoys educating on health topics and has appeared multiple times on television, radio and in print.  His role as medical director with Optum allows him an opportunity to expand the footprint of patients that New West cares for.

Vicki Espinoza

 

Optum Care Coordination – Chief Financial Officer

Vicki Espinoza joined New West Physicians in 2019, bringing 30 years of health care industry experience. She has led high-performance teams in finance, accounting, treasury, billing/eligibility, and human resources for the medical group, third-party administration, and health plan organizations. She graduated from the University of Denver with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Summa Cum Laude, and she holds an Inactive Status CPA license.

Matthew Lewis, MD

Medical Director of Primary Care

Dr. Lewis joined Optumcare CO in 2019 with over 20 years of experience in private Family Medicine practice and 10 years of leadership experience in Primary Care value-based care groups in the Denver area. He served as a board member for a large IPA as well as medical director for quality.  He continues to enjoy practicing clinical medicine and relationships with patients. He is excited to work with Optumcare colleagues in efforts to improve performance around the quadruple AIM.

Karen Kelly, MD

Medical Director of Practice Development

Dr. Karen Kelly is an internal medicine physician who has been practicing internal medicine in the West Denver area for more than 32 years.  She has been listed as a “Top Doctor” by 5280 Magazine several times and has also been recognized by the Denver Business Journal, Denver Post, and the West Denver Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Kelly has held multiple leadership roles including Chief Medical Officer, President of Exempla Medical Group and Vice-chair of the Lutheran Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital boards. Prior to becoming Medical Director of Practice Development of New West Physicians, she served as Regional Medical Director for New West Physicians since 2019.

Erin Thomas

VP of Payer, Specialty, Ancillary Contracting and Strategy

Erin has been in healthcare for more than 25 years. She’s been working exclusively in the payor and provider delivery system space for the past 15 years.  During this time, she’s worked with IPAs, multi-specialty, hospitals, FQHCs, RHCs, CAHs to bring value-based payment and team-based care to the forefront of strategies for stability.

Gwen Heller, BS, CMPE

Vice President Medical Management, ACO, Quality and Risk| Optum, Colorado

Over the past 30 years of experience, Gwen has consistently increased net operating revenue, patient volumes, and patient satisfaction at leading mission-driven health systems in Colorado and Kansas. Early in her career, Gwen was the Executive Director for a Colorado-based rural HMO that held global and cost-based risk contracts in Medicare and professional risk contract for Medicaid patients.