
Optima Health’s president and CEO will retire at the end of the year, the health insurance company announced Friday.
After 21 years, Michael Dudley will retire from both his leadership role with Optima as well as from his senior corporate vice president position with Sentara Healthcare.
Dudley announced his retirement plans internally almost a year ago.
“I cannot thank Mike enough for the dedication, passion, enthusiasm, and motivation he has given Optima Health over the past 21 years,” Howard Kern, president & CEO of Sentara Healthcare, said in a press release. “Mike leaves a legacy to be proud of and leaves Optima Health in a strong position for new leadership to take the helm.”

Optima also announced that Dudley’s successor will be Anthem executive Dennis Matheis.
Matheis has spent the last 13 years with Anthem and will be transitioning from his role as President of Anthem Central Region and Exchanges and Integration Leader for the Anthem-Cigna Combination.
“Dennis’ leadership and operating expertise with health plans, his experience in multi-state integration efforts, and familiarity with a variety of health plan products make him the ideal candidate to build upon what Mike has accomplished,” Kern said.
Matheis is expected to enter his new role at Optima on Nov. 1, where he will work alongside Dudley for two months.
Following the transition of power, Dudley is expected to take on a year-long executive role managing special projects within Sentara.