BOISE – Regence BlueShield of Idaho has named Kenneth J. (Kenny) Bramwell, M.D., as its executive medical director. Based in Boise, Dr. Bramwell will lead Regence’s statewide medical cost and quality stewardship activities, driving health care cost affordability initiatives and engaging key employers and providers to enhance the quality of care for members.

Dr. Bramwell has an extensive clinical and administrative leadership background, and joins Regence from HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center in Phoenix where he served as chief medical officer. Previously, Dr. Bramwell was Emergency Department chairman and chief quality officer for Emergency Medicine of Idaho in Boise, and worked in emergency departments in Salt Lake City and Tucson, Arizona. He holds board certifications in both emergency medicine and pediatric emergency medicine. He has also co-authored multiple articles and book chapters and has delivered more than three dozen lectures.

“Kenny brings a passion to excel and improve to everything he does,” said Scott Kreiling, president of Regence BlueShield of Idaho. “His boots-on-the-ground experience with the workings of health care in Idaho and strong community ties will be invaluable as he leads our efforts to transform health care in our state to become more people-centered and economically sustainable.”

“In this time of such profound change in the way health care is delivered, we’re fortunate to have a physician/administrator of Kenny’s caliber join our team. As we continue to work together with providers to expand the reach of value-based care arrangements, I’m confident Kenny will be a tireless advocate for quality and affordability on behalf of our members,” said Richard Popiel, M.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer at Regence.

“I’m excited both about joining Regence and returning to Idaho,” said Dr. Bramwell.  “I am particularly interested in the innovation and improvement possibilities we can pursue at Regence and with our healthcare systems in Idaho.”

Dr. Bramwell received his medical degree from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Emergency Physicians. Active in professional and civic organizations, Dr. Bramwell is a member of the American Association for Physician Leadership and the American College of Healthcare Executives. 

About Regence BlueShield of Idaho

Regence BlueShield of Idaho, based in Lewiston, has been serving Idahoans for over seven decades and now provides more than 140,000 members with comprehensive health insurance solutions. As a nonprofit mutual insurance company and independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers in Idaho and nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit regence.com, facebook.com/regenceblueshieldofidaho or twitter.com/regenceidaho.