GatorCare welcomes new president, Billy McCarty
Dear Colleagues:
After more than five years serving as the president of GatorCare, Jill Sumfest, MD, MS, FACS, announced this month that she will be retiring at the end of October. Sumfest joined UF Health as GatorCare’s first medical director in 2015 before assuming the role of president in 2017.
Billy McCarty, MD, MBA, GatorCare’s current medical director, will take over as president beginning Oct. 31.
Sumfest has been a highly valued member of the UF Health and GatorCare family during her time here. In her role as president, Sumfest supported GatorCare’s mission to reduce health care costs and promote access to quality health care and innovative health and wellness solutions for GatorCare members and their families in a variety of ways.
Under Sumfest’s leadership, GatorCare has continued to introduce new benefits to improve the health and wellness of members. Some of her notable achievements include the introduction of free online behavioral health visits via Talkspace, the adoption of an online wellness platform supported by Florida Blue for wellness incentives, and the inclusion of infertility benefits for most plans to attract and retain employees. Sumfest also played a key role in expanding speech therapy benefits for children to include developmental delays.
Sumfest helped drive volume to UF Health providers and entities, including through video visits, which proved to be vital throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, Sumfest facilitated a captive arrangement for stop loss, saving the organization more than 50% of annual premium costs.
McCarty, who joined UF Health as GatorCare’s medical director last November, is well-positioned to take the reins as the new president of GatorCare.
McCarty previously served as the regional medical director for Tampa-based Optum, and he has an extensive background in working with a large network of doctors and neighborhood physician practices with a primary care focus. Prior to his role with Optum, McCarty had a 30-year career in the U.S. Navy.
Please join us in wishing Dr. Sumfest the best in her next chapter and welcoming Dr. McCarty into his new role.
David R. Nelson, MD
Senior Vice President for Health Affairs, University of Florida &
President, UF Health