October 1, 2013 Kenneth Colangelo

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Mark Bertolini, courtesy of Aetna, Inc.

Mark Bertolini, courtesy of Aetna, Inc.

Mark Bertolini, Chairman, CEO and president of Aetna, Inc., will be the keynote speaker at the Annual Economic Conference of Tunxis Community College Foundation on October 31, from 8:30-10 a.m. at Farmington Club in Farmington. A tax-deductible donation is requested.

Bertolini will speak on “Reinventing Health Care,” as he shares his vision for the future of his industry in a post-Affordable Care Act world. He believes that all players in health care have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reorder our system to better fit the needs of consumers. Please join us for this presentation on why Bertolini thinks our health care system must change – and how Aetna plans to lead this transformation. Proceeds from the fundraising breakfast will support student scholarships and special projects at Tunxis Community College.

Bertolini is recognized as an accessible, forward-thinking and solutions-oriented leader and is actively engaged in the national dialogue on health care reform, meeting regularly with state and federal policymakers to advocate for measures that increase access, lower costs and improve quality of health care.

Bertolini first joined Aetna in 2003 as head of Aetna’s Specialty Products. In 2007, he was named president, responsible for all of Aetna’s businesses and operations across the company’s range of health care products and services. He assumed the role of CEO in 2010 and chairman in 2011. The Fortune 100 diversified health care benefits company currently serves an estimated 44 million people, with more than $35.54 billion in 2012 revenue. Prior to Aetna, Bertolini held executive positions at Cigna, NYLCare Health Plans, and SelectCare, Inc., where he served as president and chief executive officer.

Bertolini’s previous work and personal experiences with the health care system are foundational to his dedication to improving the patient experience and addressing challenges facing the U.S. health care system. He held various jobs in high school and college, including caregiver roles in health care delivery. He is also a spinal cord injury survivor and is partially disabled as the result of a severe skiing accident in 2004. In 2007, he donated a kidney to his son.

Among his civic activities, Bertolini serves on the board of directors of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, FIDELCO, and was the first elected straight ally board member of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. He has been honored for his leadership by many universities and organizations. Bertolini holds an MBA in finance from Cornell University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration/finance from Wayne State University.

Companies and small businesses are encouraged to become event sponsors. Ads can also be purchased for the program book.  Individual admission is $75 and includes a hot breakfast. Tickets must be purchased by Oct. 21. Reservations can be made online at www.tunxisfoundation.org. For more information, please call 860.773.1357; or email [email protected].  

Located in Farmington, Tunxis Community College Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting the students, programs and projects of Tunxis for over 40 years. It is managed by a board of directors composed of business and community leaders. Visit Tunxis on the Internet at www.tunxisfoundation.org and tunxis.edu.