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Medical Director Bios

Raed Assar, MD, MBA
Medical Director: Fort Walton/Jacksonville

"When I was practicing medicine, I think people liked coming to me because I paid attention, I spent time with patients, and I cared about their issues. As medical director, I can touch the lives of many more people. Humana is terrific at helping healthy members stay healthy and teaching less healthy members to manage their illnesses more appropriately. Humana really cares about the quality of health care. That’s what keeps my fire going."

Dr. Raed Assar’s father has been practicing medicine for almost 40 years and serves as a role model for his son. "From an early age, I admired my father’s ability to make people feel better, and his willingness to support families through difficult times. I wanted to be just like him." The younger Dr. Assar certainly accomplished that goal. Armed with a six-year medical degree from Tichreen University in his native Syria, a specialization in pediatrics and an interest in emergency medicine, Dr. Assar came to the United States in 1984 and practiced medicine in northeast Florida for seven years. "I’ve always loved the American way of life. On my way to this country, I practiced medicine in countries that had government-run, socialized medicine programs. I realized that those programs don’t work. In America, there’s much more value placed on human life, and the medical care is second-to-none. I came here in order to contribute, to make a difference, and to be part of this dream."

Dr. Assar’s dream of practicing medicine came to an abrupt end in 1992, when he was diagnosed with latex anaphylaxis, a severe, often life-threatening, allergy to latex. "My options were to either change careers or stay in a profession that might kill me. I was devastated, because I’d always wanted to be a physician and heal people." But Dr. Assar points out that his dream to practice medicine was quickly replaced by another dream — to help even more people through medical administration. This dream, too, has come true.

Since joining Humana as medical director of the North Florida market in 1996, Dr. Assar has directed many efforts that have positively affected the lives and health of tens of thousands of Humana members. He is particularly pleased with dramatic increases in the numbers of members receiving immunizations, checkups and cancer screenings. From 1996 to 1998, these increases often approached levels of 40 to 50 percent. Similarly, Humana members’ satisfaction with Humana has risen sharply, and is due in large part to the renewed emphasis on customer service and communication. The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) — one of the most stringent of health plan accrediting agencies — is impressed with these dramatic improvements. Since 1997, this organization has consistently commended Humana’s North Florida health plan. Says Dr. Assar, "It really is a great honor to receive such high marks. It reinforces to us that we are doing the right thing and taking great care of our members."

Dr. Assar describes his current role this way: "I try to see that our members receive the right care at the right time at the right place. I also work for harmony in the delivery of health care, and that means working closely with our network physicians and other health care providers to minimize aggravations and promote quality care for our members."

When Dr. Assar is not working to improve the health care services for Humana’s 60,000 members, he enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.

Expertise:

  • 4 years of private practice and hospital staff positions in pediatrics
  • 3 years as director of pediatrics departments in hospital settings
  • 4 years in medical administration
  • 2 years as a medical examiner

Specialization:

Board-certified in Pediatrics

Board-certified by the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Management Physicians

Education:

  • Medical Doctor — Tichreen University, Lattakia, Syria, 1983 (6 year program)
  • MBA — University of North Florida, 1997

Licensure:

Licensed to practice medicine in Florida

 

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