2021 Podcast Recording: Equity of Behavioral Health

Podcast Series: Courageous and Candid Conversations on the Relentless Challenges of Behavioral Health: From Crisis to Recovery

Equity of Behavioral Health podcast recording by Marie McPherson, MBA, and Naakesh (Nick) Dewan, M.D. on October 21, 2021.

Dr. Dewan serves as GuideWell's Vice President, Behavioral Health. In this role, which he assumed in June 2020, he is responsible for creating a cross-functional team that designs and implements the enterprise's behavioral health strategy for all insurance segments. This includes creating new value-based reimbursement models and new roles in the care delivery system, as well as a broad view of behavioral health across demographics and specific points of care.

Additionally, he participates on the enterprise’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, and
serves as chair of both the Behavioral Health Steering Committee and the Opioid Task Force.

Dr. Dewan is an accomplished physician and executive with a proven track record in health
systems operations. Prior to joining GuideWell and Florida Blue, he was Chief Medical
Officer, Behavioral Health for BayCare Health System. In this role, he oversaw operations in
15 hospitals and ambulatory programs in five counties across West Central Florida and
supervised a large team that included physicians, psychologists, advanced care nurses,
program managers and support staff.

Dr. Dewan has published three books:
Mental Health Practice in a Digital World
Information Technology Essentials for Behavioral Health Clinicians
Behavioral Healthcare Informatics

For questions, comments, or participant suggestions, please contact Sabrina Singh at [email protected].

Please visit the Program website for electronic copies of our best practice psychotherapeutic medication guidelines, and other resources visit our website http://floridabhcenter.org/​​​​​.