March 2014

Stephen Ondra, MD, a neurosurgeon and member of the AASP Academy Council recently assumed the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for BlueCross BlueShied (Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas).  Dr. Ondra has had an illustrious career. After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, Dr. Ondra received his medical degree and then did his neurosurgery training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He decided to specialize in spine surgery and served on the faculty of Northwestern University Medical School for over thirteen years.  He was the former senior policy advisor for the US Department of Veterans Affairs. He also was Co-Chair of Health Information Technology in the Office of Science and Technology Policy for the Executive Office of the President of the United States. While in government office he remained affiliated with Northwestern University in many capacities.