Peter J. Weiss, MD, has been named President and Chief Operating Officer for Health First Health Plans (HFHP). Dr. Weiss, who has served as Medical Director for HFHP since 1998, replaces Margaret Haney who recently retired.

Serving for more than eight years as a Medical Director for the organization, Dr. Weiss brings a wealth of experience to this position, said Jerry Senne, Chief Executive Officer of Health First Health Plans. His medical experience includes both clinical practice and administrative roles within the community. I am confident that Dr. Weiss will move the Health Plans organization forward in the years ahead, Senne said.

Prior to joining HFHP, Dr. Weiss served as consultant in Infectious Disease for Melbourne Internal Medicine Associates (MIMA). He received his Medical Degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo. Dr. Weiss conducted his internship in Internal Medicine with the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Md., and subsequently completed his residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Infectious Disease at the Naval Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Weiss is a Diplomate of both the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Internal Medicine, with sub-specialty certification in Infectious Disease.

I am honored to be chosen as President and COO of Health First Health Plans, said Dr. Weiss. Our members can be assured that our providers and team of Health First Health Plans associates will continue to provide accessible, affordable and high quality services to the residents of Brevard County.

Centrally located in the Rockledge/Suntree area, HFHP currently has 65,600 members - nearly one out of every eight residents in Brevard - including approximately 22,100 Medicare members, and more than 33,000 commercial group members. HFHP also provides administrative services for 10,500 members of self-funded plans.

Health First Medicare Plans (HFMP), the Medicare Advantage health plans offered by HFHP, is among Americas Best Health Plans, according to a November 2006 study published by US News & World Report (US News) and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). With HFMP ranked 24th in the nation, only one other Medicare health plan in Florida scored higher, and no other plan offered in Brevard scored higher.*

Serving residents of Brevard County and part of Sebastian in Indian River County for more than 11 years, HFHP was founded as part of Health First, a not-for-profit family of healthcare services that also includes Cape Canaveral Hospital, Holmes Regional Medical Center, Palm Bay Community Hospital, and Health First Physicians. For more information about Health First Health Plans, visit www.healthfirsthealthplans.org or call 321-434-5600.

* NCQA is an independent, non-profit organization that assesses and reports on the quality of the nations managed care plans. Rankings for Americas Best Health Plans 2006 are compiled from NCQA accreditation scores, as well as clinical quality and member satisfaction surveys.