Israel Rocha, Jr. is Regional President of Kaiser Permanente Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States (MAS). In this role, he directs Kaiser Permanente’s markets in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, providing fully integrated care and coverage for more than 800,000 members in the region. The Mid-Atlantic region includes the health plan, a large network of geographically dispersed medical offices, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, care-at-home skilled nursing, diagnostic, virtual and other care continuum services, and partnership with the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group.

Israel is an accomplished health care leader with more than 20 years of experience leading integrated public health systems in two of the nation’s largest cities. He brings a unique and extensive combination of experience across health care, insurance, government, public health, and public policy to his new role as regional president.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Starting in 2020, Israel served as CEO for Cook County Health in Illinois — the third largest public health care system in the nation. This complex system includes Level 1 acute care trauma hospitals, an extensive ambulatory network, a juvenile detention center, and a Medicaid plan with more than 400,000 members. Prior to Cook County Health, Israel served as the CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals Elmhurst and Queens hospitals. He oversaw OneCity Health, a 750,000-member health program delivering care through a comprehensive health network, two acute care hospitals, 150 ambulatory clinic sites, 6,000 employees, and 3,000 providers. He has also served as CEO for Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System in Texas. Among his many accomplishments, Israel is known for driving growth in government programs and health care exchange products and managing a legislative and policy agenda on behalf of Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill.

Israel’s strong and innovative leadership combined with his community-centered focus will serve him well as regional president for Kaiser Permanente in the Mid-Atlantic States. He will partner closely with Rich McCarthy, MD, executive medical director, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, as he leads in the market.