Excellus Names New VP for Health Equity and Community Investments

In keeping with its mission to ensure access to high quality health care and reduce health disparities, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield announced that physician Gina Cuyler has joined the health plan as vice president health equity and community envestments.

In this new role, Cuyler will set the organization’s direction to promote health equity, cultural sensitivity and community health.

A graduate of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Cuyler is a board-certified internal medicine physician and co-founder of the Black Physicians Network of Greater Rochester, an organization whose mission is to reduce health disparities and improve the health of the community by increasing the number of black physicians.

Gina Cuyler
Gina Cuyler

“We are excited to add to our team a leader with the experience and accolades of Dr. Cuyler,” said Melissa Gardner, chief population health engagement officer at Excellus BCBS. “We have an opportunity to use our resources and relationships to stand against structural racism and continue to work toward reducing health disparities and in this new role, Dr. Cuyler will drive action to achieve more in these areas.”

She has spoken locally and nationally, authored “Insider’s Guide to Leading Your Medical Care – How to Advocate for Your Medical Needs,” and is currently the owner and founder of Comprehension Internal Medicine where she supports patients in being better advocates for themselves and loved ones.

Cuyler has received numerous awards for service including the 2017 UR Presidential Diversity Award, the 2017 Gerhard Neighborhood Outreach Center Award for Outstanding Community Service, and the 2019 Top 20 Women in White Coats Award.

Cuyler lives in Rochester with her husband and enjoys focusing on preventive care, countering health disparities, holistic community empowerment, and devoting time to her faith, family, and friends.