Philip Handal and JoyAnn Book join Healthcare Industry Group as Senior Directors

New York – Leading global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has substantially expanded its Healthcare Industry Group’s  Technology Advisory and Transformation Services led by newly appointed Managing Director, Christopher Smith and Senior Directors Philip Handal and JoyAnn Book. These hires demonstrate A&M’s commitment to solving healthcare organizations’ complex problems with “big bet” digital and technology transformation initiatives.

“Technology is the major enabler of transformation across the healthcare ecosystem, unlocking value and providing significant impact through digitally driven change. This has been accelerated significantly as the industry continues to adapt to the dynamic conditions through the course of the pandemic,” said Martin McGahan, Managing Director and Co-Head of A&M’s Healthcare Industry Group. “Our offering supports the full spectrum of digital and technology needs and capabilities across strategy, effectiveness, value optimization, digital and technical transformations, analytics cloud and M&A in the market. Chris, JoyAnn and Phil’s collective experience enhances our IT performance, digital health and transformation, and transaction support capabilities with deep industry-grounded hands-on senior leadership and independent perspectives that our clients look to us for.”

With Mr. Smith’s new leadership and commitment to A&M’s growth across technology and digital healthcare, the Healthcare Industry Group’s Technology Advisory and Transformation Services’ plans to continue its trajectory of expansion.  The joining of Ms. Book and Mr. Handal are part of the strategic acquisition of experience and capabilities to further propel growth in the market.

Mr. Smith, based in Los Angeles, brings nearly 30 years of healthcare consulting, direct client and industry experience spanning health plans, providers, health systems, PBMs, health services and healthcare technology organizations. He has significant expertise leading healthcare organizations through critical challenges, including strategy, IT effectiveness, digital and analytics transformation and M&A. 

Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Smith served as a Senior Partner, Business and Technology Transformation Leader in Deloitte Consulting’s Healthcare Industry Practice.

Mr. Handal, based in Chicago, will focus on leveraging technology to enable enhanced clinical outcomes and operational efficiencies. He advises on IT strategy, M&A diligence and integration, digital and technology transformation, and data governance. Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Handal spent eight years with Grant Thornton’s Digital Transformation practice where he was responsible for technology across the healthcare sector. 

Ms. Book, based in Phoenix, brings more than 15 years of experience leading healthcare information technology data and digital transformation across big data, analytics, technology architecture and IT infrastructure. She has also designed and developed patient and provider digital enablement and experience management for MCOs, health plans, systems and provider groups. Previously, Ms. Book served as Chief Information & Digital Officer of Copa Health, leading the company’s data infrastructure and technology ecosystem and the expansion of its digital capabilities.

“We take a fact-based, 360-degree approach to helping clients navigate challenges, improve performance and maximize value, as evidenced by our recent report revealing the drastic impact of Covid-19 on the healthcare economy,” said Peter Urbanowicz, Managing Director and Co-Head of A&M’s Healthcare Industry Group. “The ever-expanding use of technology as a healthcare solution requires the operational expertise and leadership, action, results credo that A&M is known for. Chris, JoyAnn and Phil bring extensive experience to address clients’ challenges with innovative, forward-thinking solutions to transform their operations.”

About Alvarez & Marsal

Companies, investors and government entities around the world turn to Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) for leadership, action and results. Privately held since its founding in 1983, A&M is a leading global professional services firm that provides advisory, business performance improvement and turnaround management services. When conventional approaches are not enough to create transformation and drive change, clients seek our deep expertise and ability to deliver practical solutions to their unique problems.

With over 5,500 people across four continents, we deliver tangible results for corporates, boards, private equity firms, law firms and government agencies facing complex challenges. Our senior leaders, and their teams, leverage A&M’s restructuring heritage to help companies act decisively, catapult growth and accelerate results. We are experienced operators, world-class consultants, former regulators and industry authorities with a shared commitment to telling clients what’s really needed for turning change into a strategic business asset, managing risk and unlocking value at every stage of growth.

To learn more, visit: AlvarezandMarsal.com. Follow A&M on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

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CONTACT:    

Kelsey Eidbo, Infinite Global, +1 415-505-0392
Sandra Sokoloff, Senior Director of Global Public Relations, Alvarez & Marsal, +1 212-763-9853