Thursday, March 1, 2012

Bill Copeland to Lead Deloitte's Life Sciences and Health Care Practice

Deloitte, the largest professional services organization in the United States, has named Bill Copeland as its national managing principal of the life sciences and health care practice. Copeland was also appointed sector leader of the health plans group within the life sciences and health care practice. Deloitte's life sciences and health care consultancy is the largest in the world with more than 3,300 professionals.

Copeland succeeds John Bigalke who led the life sciences and health care practice the past eight years. Bigalke has been named national leader of Deloitte's public policy group. He will also continue to be part of Deloitte's life sciences and health care leadership team.

During his long tenure with Deloitte, Copeland, a principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP, has advised some of the organization's largest health care clients on their most transformative events, including mergers, affiliations, new business initiatives, and financial and operational turn-around plans.

Prior to joining Deloitte, Copeland served as chief executive officer for a major health care provider. He also helped found a national physician practice management company that attracted more than $100 million in private equity capital to build the first generation of accountable care organizations.

"Bill has the right blend of executive, entrepreneurial and client-service skills to continue advancing Deloitte as the premier brand in health care consulting," said Karen Mazer, vice chairman and managing principal for Deloitte's U.S. industry practices. "He will build on the foundation established under John's leadership to help clients face a new set of rubrics brought by reform, changing consumer behavior and global economic forces."

As leader of the world's top health professional services organization at a time of monumental focus and change in health care, Copeland likens his new role to "playing quarterback in the Super Bowl."

"The best part is Deloitte has world class talent in all the right positions," said Copeland. "We have an advantage as an organization to view a company's issues from an enterprise-wide perspective, one that considers accounting and tax, information technology, human capital and corporate governance. We cover the gamut."

Copeland's near-term focus is to help companies and governments better address both the direct challenges and extended ramifications caused by new developments with ICD-10, electronic health records, health insurance exchanges and accountable care organizations. Deloitte's capabilities addressing more traditional business concerns, including mergers and acquisitions, R&D, supply-chain management and employee benefits, will also be emphasized.

Regarding community involvement, Copeland leads Deloitte's national involvement with City Year, an AmeriCorps organization that mobilizes young people to work for a year of service with children in inner city schools to reduce the dropout rate.

He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and economics from the University of Dayton and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame.

About Deloitte's Life Sciences and Health Care practice

Deloitte's life sciences and health care practice brings fresh insight to clients and industry stakeholders. Deloitte offers a distinctive menu of professional services delivered in an integrated approach that address all segments of the health plan, health provider and life sciences industries. For more information, visit www.deloitte.com/view/en_US/us/Industries/index.htm

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