LAKE FOREST, Calif. — Apria Healthcare Group has appointed Norman C. Payson, MD, as CEO of the giant provider.
A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Payson received his Doctor of Medicine degree at Dartmouth Medical School, after which he practiced as a primary care physician including service at a Native American reservation in the public health service.
Payson subsequently became medical director and CEO of a large multi-specialty medical group, then co-founded and served as CEO of Healthsource, a physician sponsored health plan reaching 15 states with three million members. After the sale of Healthsource to Cigna, Payson led a turnaround of Oxford Health Plans, New York City's largest health plan, and has also transformed other large health care companies, including private equity sponsored enterprises, according to an Apria press release.
Payson, who has been on Apria's board of directors for two years, has served as its executive chairman and interim CEO since The Blackstone Group's $1.7 billion purchase of the company. He replaces Lawrence Higby, who left the CEO position in late October after conclusion of the Blackstone deal.