Florida Blue names David Wagner as next South Florida Market President

December 6 2021 – Florida Blue, the state’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan, has named David Wagner as its next Market President for South Florida. Wagner will replace Penny Shaffer, Ph.D., who previously announced plans to retire at the end of the year after leading Florida Blue’s South Florida interest for nearly 16 years.

A Miami native, Wagner brings more than 30 years of health care experience to the role, most recently serving as the South Florida Market CEO for Kindred Health, a leading specialty hospital provider. He also has served in leadership roles with other South Florida health care organizations including Sunshine Health, Amerigroup, ATI College of Health and Baptist Health South Florida.

“David has a passion for driving innovation in health care and a proven record of exceeding goals for quality and performance throughout his career,” said Pat Geraghty, GuideWell and Florida Blue president and CEO. “He will be an essential leader in our ongoing efforts to address health care access, affordability and equity in South Florida.”

As Florida Blue’s Market President for South Florida, Wagner will be responsible for the company’s business operations in an eight-county region from the Treasure Coast to the Keys, including strategic oversight and leadership of business planning, membership acquisition, and retention and brand visibility enhancement. 

“I’ve long admired Florida Blue as a mission-driven company dedicated to helping people and communities achieve better health. I am excited to join this high-caliber team and further the great work they are already doing in the South Florida market,” said Wagner.  

Wagner holds a Bachelor of Science in business management from University of Phoenix and a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University. He serves on the boards of the South Florida Hospital and Health Association, American Lung Association of Broward and Palm Beach and the YMCA South Florida in Pembroke Pines.

About Florida Blue 

Florida Blue, Florida’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, has been providing health insurance to residents of Florida for more than 75 years. Driven by its mission of helping people and communities achieve better health, the company serves more than 5 million health care members across the state. In total, Florida Blue and its affiliated companies serve more than 45 million people in 45 states. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.