Opella Ernest MD

Dr. Opella Ernest serves as president for HCSC’s Markets division. She is responsible for the strategic direction, performance, and growth for all market segments and services across HCSC’s five geographies, as well as national account growth and clinical operations.

A leader within HCSC for more than thirteen years, Dr. Ernest previously served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer where she transformed HCSC’s customer and provider experience through advancements in technology and innovation.
Dr. Ernest previously served as HCSC’s Senior Vice President, Chief Clinical Officer and before that served as Divisional Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer of HCSC’s Illinois Plan.

A board-certified family physician, she has a degree in medicine from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan
Dr. Ernest serves on the boards of directors of World Business Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry, and she is the former Chair of the American Heart Association’s Metro Chicago board of directors. She is a member of The Chicago Network, an organization of Chicago’s most influential women leaders. In 2021, she was named one of Fierce Healthcare’s Women of Influence.