Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has named Creshelle Nash, M.D., M.P.H., C.H.I.E., to serve in the company’s new position of medical director for Health Equity and Public Programs.
In her new role, Dr. Nash will lead the company’s efforts to address health disparities in Arkansas and support the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association on its recently launched National Health Equity Strategy. Arkansas Blue Cross leads most other health plans in the United States in designating a medical director position to address health equity.
“Dr. Nash has a passion for ensuring that every person we serve has equal opportunities for equitable care and outcomes,” said Curtis Barnett, president and chief executive officer of Arkansas Blue Cross. “Her deep experience as a public health advocate will be critical as she provides oversight and guidance on key public programs supported by our company.”
A native Arkansan, Dr. Nash attended the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore and received her medical degree in 1994. She served her medical residency at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C. She completed a residency in Primary Care Internal Medicine in 1997. She earned a master’s degree in public health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in 1998 and completed the Commonwealth Fund Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy.
In Arkansas, Dr. Nash has worked for the Clinton School of Public Service, the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine Department of General Internal Medicine. As a Certified Health Insurance Executive (CHIE) she helps lead healthcare innovations and transformation within organizations and communities.