AUSTIN – Sendero Health Plans Inc. (Sendero) announced Wednesday it has named Sharon J. Alvis as the new chief executive officer to lead the nonprofit health maintenance organization (HMO), which was created and is funded and owned by Central Health. Sendero offers health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) federal Health Insurance Marketplace.

Before joining Sendero, Alvis served as market president for Curative Insurance Company, where she led development of a new fully insured preferred provider organization (PPO) catering to large employers. During her career, Alvis has served in senior management positions with health plans, hospitals, and physician organizations, including leading multiple start-up HMOs, PPOs, a Physician Hospital Organization (PHO), and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Alvis, who lives in Wimberley, has deep ties to Central Texas. “I believe healthcare delivery is ultimately local,” she said. “The opportunity to build on and enhance the services Sendero offers to Central Texas intrigues me. I have closely followed the evolution and experience of Sendero Health Plans from its inception and was excited about the potential to directly contribute.”

Alvis continued, “With its unique structure and ownership, Sendero, in collaboration with the Central Health System, has a unique opportunity to maximize powerful collective resources. I am challenged and excited about how Sendero can best align and augment the quality of care for Central Texans.”

Alvis takes over from acting CEO Perla Cavazos, who will return to her role as Central Health’s deputy administrator.  Alvis’ official start date is October 9.

Prior to her tenure at Curative, Alvis developed and served as president of Vista360health, a Central Texas based HMO serving individuals and small employers; regional vice president in Texas and Louisiana for a Medicare Advantage plan; the CEO of a PHO representing 450 physicians and three unaffiliated hospitals; and as the executive director of the St. David’s Health Network and assistant vice president for St. David’s Healthcare System.

“It’s rare to find someone with Sharon’s deep and diverse background in health insurance,” said Sendero Board Chair Betty DeLargy.

DeLargy added that Alvis “has experience with Medicare, individual, small and large employers, HMO, and PPO business lines. Over decades, she has built strong relationships with providers – working for them and with them – so she understands their perspective as well as the insurance plan perspective. She has built strong executive teams and staff at several companies. The Sendero Board of Directors believes she’s exactly what we need at this moment.”