ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 8, 2003--Centene Corporation (Nasdaq: CNTE) today announced the appointment, effective immediately, of Beth Mandell as President and Chief Executive Officer of Group Practice Affiliates, LLC (GPA). Ms. Mandell has served as Chief Operating Officer for GPA since 1998. She will direct the day-to-day activities of the company from its Austin, Texas office, and will report to John Tadich, Senior Vice President, Specialty Companies Group of Centene Corporation. Centene acquired a majority interest in GPA in March 2003.
Ms. Mandell brings 20 years of experience in healthcare marketing and behavioral health experience to this position. Before joining GPA, she served as Practice Director for Magellan Behavioral Health, Eastern Pennsylvania, for three years. Prior to that time, she was Chief Executive Officer of Charter Behavioral HealthCare System, Maryland. Her professional background includes management experience in behavioral health outpatient and inpatient centers as well as leading project teams in the integration of newly acquired practices and operations.
Michael F. Neidorff, Centene's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased to welcome Beth Mandell to Centene as we continue to strengthen the management team in this important growth area for the company. She will be a major contributor in our continued efforts to find innovative ways to meet the behavioral health needs of our customers and the communities we serve while delivering quality behavioral healthcare."
GPA provides comprehensive behavioral health products and services through behavioral health networks, groups and programs to serve children, adolescents and adults. In Arizona, GPA operates five schools serving emotionally challenged and learning-disabled children in the greater Phoenix area.
About Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation provides managed care programs and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The Company operates health plans in Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana and New Jersey. In addition, the Company contracts with other healthcare organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, nurse triage and pharmacy compliance. Information regarding Centene is available via the Internet at www.centene.com.
CONTACT: Centene Corporation, St. Louis Michael F. Neidorff, 314-725-4477 or Investor Relations Department: Lisa M. Wilson, 212-759-3929
SOURCE: Centene Corporation