Kirsten Gorsuch, an agency and corporate pro who was previously VP of corporate communications for medical device giant Medtronic, has moved to Blue Shield of California in its top communications role as the insurer navigates massive changes flowing from the Affordable Care Act.
Gorsuch, who left Medtronic in 2012 after seven years, will head corporate communications, government relations and community relations, among similar disciplines, reporting to BSC pesident and CEO Paul Markovish.
Markovish noted the appointment comes "at a time of unprecedented change and opportunity" in the healthcare sector, adding that Gorsuch will help the three million-member insurer "navigate and influence" a broad range of constituencies.
Blue Shield California, with annual revenue of $10.5B, is one of the top three health insurers in California, along with Anthem Blue Cross and Kaiser Permanente. All will offer plans under the state's Affordable Care Act-mandated health insurance exchange.
Gorsuch was a senior VP for GCI Group and Ketchum focused on healthcare and earlier worked PA at Bank of America.
Thomas Epstein, a former aide to President Clinton, is VP of public affairs at BSC.
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