Although he is the executive vice president and chief medical officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, rowing has always remained a key element in Collins’ life. So much so that he’s heading to the Tokyo Olympics later this month as the head doctor for the U.S. Rowing Team.
- Duties: Dr. Collins will be responsible for scheduling and administering of COVID-19 tests and regular check-ins with the 37 athletes on the team, the Boston Globe reported. “I never served in the military, and while I’m not comparing the two, it feels so great to do something on behalf of a great nation,” he told the publication.
- Fame: While a medical student at Washington, D.C.-based Howard University in 1993, Dr. Collins competed in the lightweight men’s final race at the World Rowing Championships in Czechoslovakia. “I’ve trained and put in a lot. And I know what type of sacrifice it takes to get to the level they’ve reached,” he said.
- Departure: The Tokyo games, which were scheduled for 2020, were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He will depart for Hawaii July 10, where he will join the athletes before the team travels to Japan.
- Deep insight: Dr. Collins joined BCBS in 2015. Matt brings to his role a unique background as both a family physician and medical director, with a deep understanding of how to manage the quality, experience and performance of behavioral health networks for health plans.
- Expertise: As a chief medical officer, Matt has comprehensive oversight for medical management, including care management, utilization management, and behavioral health management, all with the goal of ensuring that members get the right care at the right time in the right setting.