Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) appoints new Medical Director
12/07/2015
(French Camp, CA) – Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) has announced that Robert W. Castillo, MD, FAAP, has joined the organization as medical director. Dr. Castillo, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP), has extensive experience as a practicing physician, as well as a senior leader of complex health care organizations where he has specialized in quality programs, and medical and utilization management.
Dr. Castillo said, “As a pediatrician and administrator, I am delighted to join HPSJ as it continues to improve health care delivery for increasing numbers of families and individuals throughout the diverse communities of California’s Central Valley.” He said, “I am eager to join the medical management team’s efforts to ensure all our members not only have access to health care, but also to the finest quality of health care.”
“Dr. Castillo’s passion for working with the underserved is paramount,” said HPSJ Chief Medical Officer Lakshmi Dhanvanthari, MD. “His belief in a collaborative approach between the plan and our provider partners is essential to our never-ending efforts to improve the care of our members.”
Health Plan of San Joaquin was established in 1995 by state statute and San Joaquin County ordinance as a community-based, not-for-profit health plan initiative. Now, in 2015, HPSJ is the leading Medi-Cal managed care provider for San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. With over 320,000 members – more than a third of growth over the last almost two years since Affordable Care Act implementation – HPSJ is at the forefront of local health care access and delivery.
Dr. Castillo, who is relocating to the Central Valley and HPSJ’s headquarters in French Camp, previously served as medical director for EPIC Management, L.P (Redlands, California), which provides management and consulting services to Southern California multi-specialty physician groups and independent practices associations. At EPIC Management he also served as medical director for quality management and utilization management.
Dr. Castillo was a founding board member of the Pioneer Medical Group (Long Beach, California), where for over a decade he provided care for young patients as a pediatrician and also served as the group’s medical director of quality initiative programs. For the years 2005 and 2006 he led his medical group in achieving recognition by the Integrated Healthcare Association as one of the top Medical Groups in the State of California. At Miller Children’s Hospital (Long Beach) he served in several leadership capacities, including chief of staff and chair of the Quality Review Committee.
Dr. Castillo, who graduated from the University of California, Davis with a B.S. in applied behavioral science, received his medical degree at the University of California, Irvine, where he also completed his internship and residency in pediatric medicine. As a Board Certified pediatrician, Dr. Castillo has been practicing medicine since 1989. As part of his military service, he was co-director of the Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Program for the Eighth Army in Seoul, Korea.
About HPSJ
HPSJ, a not-for-profit health plan, has been serving members and the community since 1996. Located in the heart of California’s multicultural Central Valley, HPSJ is the leading Medi-Cal Managed Care provider in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. HPSJ offers a broad network of providers and works closely with physicians to develop programs and services to ensure quality health care for over 320,000 members.
Dr. Castillo said, “As a pediatrician and administrator, I am delighted to join HPSJ as it continues to improve health care delivery for increasing numbers of families and individuals throughout the diverse communities of California’s Central Valley.” He said, “I am eager to join the medical management team’s efforts to ensure all our members not only have access to health care, but also to the finest quality of health care.”
“Dr. Castillo’s passion for working with the underserved is paramount,” said HPSJ Chief Medical Officer Lakshmi Dhanvanthari, MD. “His belief in a collaborative approach between the plan and our provider partners is essential to our never-ending efforts to improve the care of our members.”
Health Plan of San Joaquin was established in 1995 by state statute and San Joaquin County ordinance as a community-based, not-for-profit health plan initiative. Now, in 2015, HPSJ is the leading Medi-Cal managed care provider for San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. With over 320,000 members – more than a third of growth over the last almost two years since Affordable Care Act implementation – HPSJ is at the forefront of local health care access and delivery.
Dr. Castillo, who is relocating to the Central Valley and HPSJ’s headquarters in French Camp, previously served as medical director for EPIC Management, L.P (Redlands, California), which provides management and consulting services to Southern California multi-specialty physician groups and independent practices associations. At EPIC Management he also served as medical director for quality management and utilization management.
Dr. Castillo was a founding board member of the Pioneer Medical Group (Long Beach, California), where for over a decade he provided care for young patients as a pediatrician and also served as the group’s medical director of quality initiative programs. For the years 2005 and 2006 he led his medical group in achieving recognition by the Integrated Healthcare Association as one of the top Medical Groups in the State of California. At Miller Children’s Hospital (Long Beach) he served in several leadership capacities, including chief of staff and chair of the Quality Review Committee.
Dr. Castillo, who graduated from the University of California, Davis with a B.S. in applied behavioral science, received his medical degree at the University of California, Irvine, where he also completed his internship and residency in pediatric medicine. As a Board Certified pediatrician, Dr. Castillo has been practicing medicine since 1989. As part of his military service, he was co-director of the Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Program for the Eighth Army in Seoul, Korea.
About HPSJ
HPSJ, a not-for-profit health plan, has been serving members and the community since 1996. Located in the heart of California’s multicultural Central Valley, HPSJ is the leading Medi-Cal Managed Care provider in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. HPSJ offers a broad network of providers and works closely with physicians to develop programs and services to ensure quality health care for over 320,000 members.