Dana Erickson Joins Sutter Health Board of Directors

Sutter Health is proud to announce that Dana Erickson, RRT, R.N., BSN has joined its Board of Directors, bringing extensive clinical, insurance and executive leadership experience to the organization in areas where Sutter Health continues to grow and evolve to better serve its patients and communities. Erickson currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, where she oversees strategy and operations for the state's largest nonprofit health plan.

Ken McNeely, Sutter Health's Board Chair, said Erickson's unique background makes her an exceptional addition to the board: "Dana has a strong foundation in patient care as a registered nurse and deep knowledge and experience in the health insurance industry, an area that's critical to advancing value-based care. Her leadership and perspective will be instrumental as Sutter Health continues to advance patient-centered, coordinated care across California."

"Dana's experience bridging clinical care, health plan operations and systemwide strategy brings a valuable perspective to our board," added Cheryl Scott, chair of the Sutter Health board's nominating and governance committee. "Her ability to collaborate across sectors and lead complex initiatives will help Sutter Health strengthen partnerships and drive innovation as we continue to evolve to meet the needs of our patients and communities."

Since joining Blue Cross in 2015, Erickson has held several key leadership roles, including senior vice president and president of health services. In that role, she led strategic planning and administration across care management, provider relations, pharmacy, and medical management. She also spearheaded the creation of the High Complexity Case Unit (HCCU), a patient-centric care management program designed to support members with multiple diagnoses and complications. What began as a pilot with six nurses has grown into a team of more than 30 health coaches, reaching thousands of members annually and helping reduce hospital readmissions, improve outcomes, and lower costs.

"Dana has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in today's healthcare environment - everything from navigating health insurance complexities to creating proactive care models designed to keep people well," said Warner Thomas, Sutter Health's President and CEO. "Her leadership and operational insight will help us further strengthen our system's agility and responsiveness as we continue growing our capabilities and expanding our services in Medicare Advantage, senior care, population health and more."

Prior to her time at Blue Cross, Erickson held clinical and medical leadership roles at Univita Health and Optum Health, including serving as vice president of strategic accounts. She also spent two years as a nursing leader in Anoka County, overseeing home-based services for seniors and at-risk populations. A registered nurse and respiratory therapist, Erickson has provided direct patient care and led rehabilitation center operations.

Erickson studied social work at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She currently serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation, Greater MSP, Medical Alley, and Portico Healthnet, a nonprofit focused on helping uninsured individuals and families access affordable care. She was named a 2024 Women in Business honoree and a 2022 Health Care Hero by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.