DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. has added two executives to its pharmacy, health and wellness division’s leadership team.

Dr. Jeffrey Kang will join the company on October 31 as senior vice president of health and wellness services and solutions, reporting to president and chief executive officer Greg Wasson and president of pharmacy, health and wellness Kermit Crawford. Also, Mike Ellis has joined Walgreens as vice president of specialty pharmacy and infusion, reporting to Crawford.

“To advance community pharmacy and our role in the integration and cost-effective delivery of health care, we are continuing to strengthen the talent and leadership of our pharmacy, health and wellness organization,” Crawford says.

Crawford noted that Kang brings a wide range of health care experience to his new post.
Kang, 55, most recently was chief medical officer at Cigna, where he was responsible for health strategy and policy for the company’s medical, pharmacy and behavioral products. Before that Kang was chief clinical officer at the Health Care Financing Administration (now known as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). He has also practiced and taught medicine.

“Jeff comes to Walgreens after a long and diverse career in the health care industry. He has experienced the industry from all sides — as a practicing physician, from inside government and in the private sector,” Crawford comments.

As vice president of specialty pharmacy and infusion, Ellis will oversee those Walgreens business units. “Mike’s well-rounded background in specialty and infusion pharmacy includes developing strategic service relationships with the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, and building new business opportunities,” Crawford states. “His leadership will be an important part of our opportunity to play a significant role as a provider in these growing pharmaceutical segments.”

Ellis, 53, most recently managed private investments for health care and other companies. Before that he was senior vice president of specialty trade relations and contracting and pharmaceutical services for CVS Caremark Corp.