PROVIDENCE – Lynne A. Urbani, one of four veteran Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island executives who left the company a year ago, is the Rhode Island Free Clinic’s new CEO.
The clinic, which provides free care to low-income uninsured adults, announced Urbani’s appointment last week, noting that it completed the development of a new management team for the facility, which first opened in 1999.
In recent months, the clinic has appointed a new development director, a provider relations manager and a director of clinical operations. Lisa Smolski, who had served as the clinic’s executive director, left earlier this year.
Urbani had served on the clinic’s board for more than two years. In a news release, clinic board president Dr. Bernard Mansheim cited Urbani’s leadership skills and background in health care as key assets “at a very challenging time” in the state.
“Having worked in health care in Rhode Island for more than 22 years, Lynne understands the growing challenges that thousands of lower-income Rhode Islanders face in trying to get health insurance and access health care services, especially primary care,” he said.
In addition, he noted, as a board member, “Lynne has already developed a vision” for the clinic’s future, and “as a widely known and well-respected community leader, Lynne will be able to communicate that vision to people and groups throughout Rhode Island and increase public support for the clinic’s work.”
Urbani has an M.S. in health care administration and spent 22 years at Blue Cross, where she held several positions, most notably president and CEO of Coordinated Health Partners, the insurer’s HMO operation, and most recently, senior vice president of external relations. Urbani was one of four Blue Cross executives that left the insurer as the Statehouse corruption probe known as “Operation Dollar Bill” gained momentum.
She has experience in customer service, physician and provider relations, provider contracting and reimbursement, medical policy, and government program administration.
Urbani is also a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island and member of the group’s board and of the Community College of Rhode Island Foundation. She is a longtime volunteer with many other local organizations as well.
“I’m excited by the opportunity be at the Rhode Island Free Clinic at such a critical time in our history,” Urbani said in the news release. “As the Rhode Island economy worsens, the number of uninsured Rhode Islanders will continue to grow. Providing health care services to uninsured Rhode Islanders will become increasingly important.”
The clinic’s new development director is Julie White, who has a Ph.D. in higher education and has served as director of institutional advancement at CCRI, executive director of the CCRI Foundation, dean of institutional advancement and college relations, and director of special programs serving at-risk students.
The new provider relations manager, Jeff Gay, has more than 15 years experience in health care, primarily working for health insurers. Paul Lamarre, the new pharmacy manager, has more than 20 years experience in private industry and in the nonprofit sector. And Sarah Nottage, the new director of clinical operations, worked for St. Joseph Health Services for more than 20 years as a nurse, case manager and performance improvement manager.
Established in 1999, the Rhode Island Free Clinic is a volunteer-staffed, community-based, nonprofit organization in South Providence. It is the only licensed ambulatory care facility in Rhode Island to exclusively serve the uninsured. It provides comprehensive primary care, free or low-cost medications, and diagnostic and specialty services, plus referrals for additional services, and it is working to develop a statewide network of free care. For more information, call 274-6347, ext. 201, or visit www.rifreeclinic.org.
