The New Jersey Association of Health Plans (NJAHP) announced this week that its executive board has voted on a new slate of executive board officers to serve during the 2026-2027 term.
Alicia Palombo, lead director state government affairs, CVSHealth/Aetna, has been elected chair of the board. The rest of the NJAHP board officers for 2026–2027 are Vice Chair Jill Squiers, AmeriHealth; Secretary Mishael Azam, United Health Group; Treasurer John Fuller, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey; Legislative Chair Alison Birzon, Cigna; Medicaid Chair Brendan Peppard, Fidelis Care; Medicaid Actuarial/Finance Chair Nikhail Bharwani, Fidelis Care; and Dental Chair Pat Gillespie, Wellpoint.
As a licensed pharmacist, Palombo brings extensive experience in pharmacy policy to her role as chair. Her election reflects NJAHP’s continued focus on collaboration, innovation and advocacy to ensure access to affordable, high-quality health coverage for New Jersey residents.
“Our Board represents a diverse cross-section of health plan expertise, and this leadership team is well positioned to guide NJAHP during an important period for health care policy in New Jersey,” said Ward Sanders, president of NJAHP. “We face unprecedented challenges with changes in federal financing and policy, but look forward to working together to address challenges and opportunities across the commercial market, Medicaid, and public employee plans.”
The New Jersey Association of Health Plans is a non-profit association created to serve its member health plans with a mission of fostering understanding in the value that health plans contribute to New Jersey’s health care system.
