Sam George is a mission-driven healthcare executive whose two-decade career has been defined by operational excellence, strategic transformation, and an unwavering commitment to improving care for vulnerable populations. With more than 20 years of leadership experience across Medicare, value-based care, clinical operations, and advanced analytics, he has built a reputation as a steady, principled, and forward-thinking operator capable of guiding organizations through both growth and complexity. His work spans some of the nation’s most influential healthcare institutions—including Belong Health, CVS Health, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and Mayo Clinic—where he played pivotal roles in scaling multi-market programs, optimizing financial performance, and modernizing systems at enterprise levels.
Throughout his career, Sam has demonstrated a unique ability to architect and integrate large, interdisciplinary operational models that enhance quality, strengthen financial stewardship, and support sustainable expansion. At Belong Health, where he serves as Senior Vice President of Health Plan Operations, he oversees P&L and market performance across DSNP and ACO populations, leading an organization responsible for the majority of operational execution. His leadership has been instrumental in driving material improvements in MLR performance, deploying scalable frameworks for national growth, and implementing enterprise-wide technologies that enhance visibility, consistency, and clinical effectiveness.
Sam’s impact extends far beyond traditional operations; he has become a leading voice in the responsible application of AI and workflow modernization in healthcare. His leadership in introducing AI-enabled automation at Belong Health unlocked a 300% increase in clinical team capacity—demonstrating his ability to balance innovation with regulatory rigor and patient-centered outcomes. This combination of vision and practical execution has positioned him as a strategic advisor to executive teams seeking to evolve their operating models in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.
Prior to joining Belong Health, Sam served in multiple senior executive roles at CVS Health, where he led teams of more than 2,200 colleagues servicing more than 10 million members across Medicare and Commercial lines of business. His work in PBM Operations included major integration efforts, transformation of cross-enterprise functions, and the delivery of the most successful Welcome Season on record. He also chaired the PBM Leadership Development Series, supporting the growth of more than 1,000 leaders monthly—a testament to his passion for developing people at scale.
Sam’s tenure at CVS Specialty and Coram demonstrated his ability to stabilize complex operations and rebuild organizational structures during periods of rapid change. He oversaw a $2B P&L and led national patient services functions across multiple infusion service lines, dramatically improving service levels and accelerating benefit determination and authorization workflows through major systems implementations, including Epic. His ability to bring order, structure, and clarity to complex operational settings has been a hallmark of his leadership in every organization he has served.
Earlier in his career, Sam held transformative leadership roles at Mayo Clinic, where he supported a large-scale operational transformation of Billing & A/R, and at Cigna and Cigna-HealthSpring, where he guided major expansions in Medicare Advantage markets, developed repeatable models for new-market entry, and led operations supporting hundreds of thousands of members. His foundation at UnitedHealthcare further solidified his expertise in Medicare operations, where he contributed to the historic launch and maturation of Part D and helped scale the organization’s administrative platform as membership and operational demands surged.
Over the years, Sam has cultivated deep expertise across Medicare, Medicaid, shared services, revenue cycle, clinical operations, and multi-market systems integration. However, what distinguishes him most is his ability to unite diverse stakeholders around shared goals—whether across product, engineering, analytics, provider networks, or finance. His governance-minded approach emphasizes long-term impact, risk awareness, and organizational resilience, making him a trusted partner to CEOs, boards, and cross-functional leaders navigating evolving regulatory and competitive landscapes.
Beyond his operational accomplishments, Sam is a dedicated educator and mentor. As an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, he taught organizational management, leadership, and strategy, contributing to both undergraduate and MBA programs. His speaking engagements span healthcare conferences, Medicare leadership forums, and enterprise learning events, reflecting a deep commitment to knowledge-sharing and industry advancement.
Grounded in personal values shaped by service—including two years as a missionary in Nicaragua—Sam brings humility, empathy, and global perspective to his leadership. His international exposure across Latin America, the Philippines, and India has informed his approach to offshore workforce partnerships and global operational models. He is also a family-centered leader who finds renewal in the outdoors of his home state of Wisconsin.
Today, Sam seeks opportunities to serve on mission-aligned boards where he can apply his extensive operational expertise, strategic insight, and commitment to value-based care to help organizations grow responsibly and sustainably. His passion for scaling businesses, optimizing financial and clinical performance, and guiding teams through transformation positions him as an exceptional governance contributor for organizations at any stage of evolution.
Character:
Sam is a values-driven leader who approaches every challenge with integrity, humility, and a deep sense of purpose. He consistently prioritizes ethical decision-making and the long-term well-being of the people and communities his organizations serve. His steady leadership inspires trust and confidence, even in times of great operational or strategic complexity.
Knowledge:
With more than two decades of experience across Medicare, value-based care, clinical operations, and enterprise transformation, Sam carries an exceptional depth and breadth of expertise. He brings a nuanced understanding of regulatory environments, financial stewardship, and large-scale operational design. His command of both strategy and execution enables him to advise leaders with clarity and foresight.
Strategic:
Sam excels at connecting long-term vision with operational reality, ensuring that strategy is both actionable and sustainable. He anticipates market shifts and regulatory changes, guiding organizations toward solutions that strengthen performance and expand opportunity. His strategic mindset is matched by an ability to build systems, processes, and teams that support scalable growth.
Communication:
Communicating with clarity, empathy, and intention, fostering alignment across diverse stakeholders in highly matrixed environments. He translates complex operational, financial, and clinical concepts into narratives that drive shared understanding and momentum. His presence as an educator, mentor, and executive advisor reflects a lifelong commitment to elevating others through effective communication.
