SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aetna (NYSE: AET), a leading global diversified health care solutions company, has named Yehong Zhang, Ph.D., as general manager, Greater China. Based in Aetna’s offices in Shanghai, Dr. Zhang will be responsible for the company’s growth in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The appointment is effective immediately.
“Yehong is a highly seasoned executive with a deep understanding of China’s health care system, regulations and reform efforts,” said Richard di Benedetto, president of Aetna International. “His appointment underscores our commitment to bring Aetna’s expertise in providing high-quality health care benefits and improving population health to Greater China. We are pleased to welcome him to lead our team of professionals in the region.”
Dr. Zhang joins Aetna International from his most recent role as CEO of Simcere MSD Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, a joint venture established in 2012 between Simcere, a leading China-based pharmaceutical manufacturer, and Merck & Co., one of the world’s largest multinational drug companies. Previously, he was Simcere’s president, where he was instrumental in driving strategic partnerships with several large multinational pharmaceutical companies to serve China’s rapidly expanding health care needs.
Prior to Simcere, Dr. Zhang was a practice leader for McKinsey & Co.’s health care consultancy efforts in China where he advised local health care companies and worked closely with government stakeholders. Earlier, he was the China President for Merck and held a similar role for IMS Health, a leading health care information, services and technology company.
A native of China, Dr. Zhang was educated in the United States. He holds a doctorate in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from the Wharton School and an undergraduate degree from Harvard University.
About Aetna International
Aetna International is committed to helping create a stronger, healthier global community by delivering comprehensive health benefits and health management solutions worldwide. Aetna International's expatriate business is one of the industry's largest and most prominent international health benefits providers, supporting more than 500,000 members worldwide. The organization’s expatriate offerings include medical, dental, vision, life, disability and emergency assistance. Aetna International’s health management business collaborates with health care systems, government entities and plan sponsors around the world to design and build locally applied health management solutions to improve health, quality and cost outcomes. For more information, see www.aetnainternational.com.
About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving an estimated 44 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers' compensation administrative services and health information technology products and services. Aetna's customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com.