Robert Forster is the chief medical officer and vice president of health care services at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF).
WHAT DOES HE DO?
“Health care services is the corporate division which has a developmental unit that works with business units to roll out products we deliver. The division provides policy development, strategy and early implementation of all health care, pharmacy, network and quality programs. My accountability is to improve the current and look to the future.”
WHAT ARE THE REWARDS?
“Bringing better health solutions to all Floridians. My mission is to improve health care for those I serve.”
WHAT’S CHALLENGING ABOUT IT?
“Moving from self-decision to management mode across a large, complex organization. This is more powerful than diagnosing a sore throat though. Health care is critical to people’s lives.”
WHAT IS YOUR CLIENT BASE?
“All Floridians. We’re a mutual company, not public. In the last year and a half, the cost of delivery of health care has increased dramatically. Cost containment and quality improvement fall to me. I’m here to negotiate services for members at fair prices regarding hospital and physician costs.”
TRUE BLUE
Previously vice president of care and network management in North Florida, Forster has been at BCBSF for three and a half years. He migrated from Blue Shield of California, where he was the regional chief executive.
HOMETOWN
Douglas, Ariz.
HOW DO YOU LIKE THE CHANGE OF SCENERY?
“The lifestyle and people are receptive, warm and wonderful. It’s not exclusive at all. Here, people seem to search you out to include you.”
THE GRADUATE
First in his family to attend college, Forster graduated near the top of his class from medical school at the University of California at Davis. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology from UCLA and interned at a UCLA-affiliated hospital to polish his knowledge of internal medicine and geriatrics.
WHY BECOME A DOCTOR?
“I made the decision to become a physician at age eight. It has always been a life-long ambition because of my belief in the profession. I modeled myself after a physician who took care of my mother after a long illness. I was very analytical and science-oriented anyway but his relationship with her directed me. For the amount of work and struggles you go through, it’s not an easy life.”
WESTERN MEDICINE
For 22 years, Forster practiced his trade with one of his former professors in a small group practice. “Ninety percent of diagnoses are made by listening. That’s dwindling today due to technology.”
CLINIC WITHOUT WALLS
“I was the author of an article about bringing physicians together via computers to act as an office. I am the CEO, president and co-founder of Sutter Medical Foundation which forms alliances with hospitals and develops medical groups.”
FAMILY
Married for 33 years to his wife Nancy, a retired elementary school teacher, the couple have two grown sons: Mike and Eric. The live in Queens Harbour.
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
“Colin Powell for his wisdom, integrity and inner strength.”
AFFILIATIONS
Forster is on the dean’s council of the School of Health at UNF. He is also a member of the American College of Physician Executives, the American Society of Internal Medicine plus both the Florida and the American Medical Association.
SPEED RACER
Once a participant in the Baja 1000, Forster delights in cross-country and off-road races. He’s been cruising on motorcycles since he was 14. “I have a passion for speed.” A child of the 1960s, Forster has fond memories of the comedy “Blues Brothers.” He also enjoys “Meet the Press” on television, dining at Dwight’s Mediterranean Style Bistro or re-reading his favorite novel, “Gates of Fire.”
— by Monica Chamness