Florida Health Care Plans Announces Appointment of  Stephen Keen, MD, FAAFP as President and CEO

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla – (Dec. 13, 2023) – Florida Health Care Plans (FHCP), a pioneering provider of health insurance plans and integrated health care solutions serving over 100,000 members in Flagler, Volusia, Seminole, Brevard, and St. Johns counties and part of the GuideWell family of health solution companies, announced today the appointment of Stephen Keen, MD, FAAFP as President and CEO. Effective January 1, 2024, Keen will succeed Dave Schandel, who has led FHCP as President and CEO for four years and is retiring in February after a successful 29‐year career with the organization.   

“Dr. Keen is a highly respected, seasoned physician‐leader who has shown his dedication and commitment to improving the health and well‐being of FHCP’s employees, patients, and communities,” said Elana Schrader, MD, Senior Vice President of Health Care Services at Florida Blue and President of GuideWell Health. “Dr. Keen continues his tenure as FHCP enters its 50th year, where he will build upon the successful integrated model of compassionate whole‐person care that Dave Schandel championed.” 

Keen joined FHCP in 2013 as a primary care physician before taking the role of Medical Director of Utilization, Quality, and Case Management, where he worked closely with the Chief Medical Officer on key strategic medical initiatives and day‐to‐day operations of quality improvement and utilization management functions. In his current role as Vice President of Business Operations, Keen oversees key operational activities, including clinical pharmacy, pharmacy services, claims, payment integrity, provider contracting, member services, and health information management. 

“I am excited to step into this role to lead FHCP into the future. The landscape of healthcare is constantly changing, and with that comes opportunities for growth, innovation, and continuous improvement focused on building an even better health system for our members. With the support of 1,500 professional team members working hard to help make a difference in the lives of our members and community every day, it is my privilege to commit to meeting the possibilities and challenges that lay before us.” said Dr. Keen.

A Board‐Certified Family Medicine Physician and an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Florida State University, Keen is the recipient of several awards for his teaching, clinical supervision, and patient care. He received his medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and trained in family medicine at Halifax Health Residency in Daytona Beach, Fla. 

Since GuideWell acquired FHCP in 2009, when they became an affiliate of Florida Blue, the leading health insurer in Florida, the organization has expanded to 32 locations and now serves more than 100,000 members in five counties.