Ronald Dobbins – Managed Care Trailblazer, Pioneer Dies

July 25, 2012 - PRLog -- Ronald R. Dobbins, former President and CEO of OmniCare Health Plan and former Chief Operating Officer of United American Healthcare Corporation (UAHC) passed away suddenly of complications from a fall on July 14, 2012, in Philadelphia at the age of 77.  He was a strong advocate for the underserved and a trailblazer in managed care circles.  Working with long-time business associates, Dr. Julius Combs and Richard T. White, UAHC and OmniCare experienced tremendous success and growth in the 1980s to mid 1990s. Mr. Dobbins and Dr. Combs assembled a team of loyal employees in five states, which Mr. Dobbins was extremely proud, one of which was his son, Brian.  

“Ron Dobbins was an extraordinary leader who pioneered health care programs serving the underserved Medicaid and commercial consumers in Detroit and surrounding counties.  He devoted his career in promoting improvement in the quality of care for consumers in Michigan as well as bringing these best practices to the national agenda for the American Managed Care and Review Association (AMCRA) and the American Association of Health Plans (AAHP),” said Charles Stellar, Executive Vice President, America's Health Insurance Plans in Washington, D.C.   “Ron led his colleagues as ordinary people with extraordinary determination. His leadership on the board at the national level was met with honor, dedication, and mission driven, and he was able to see through translating his vision into reality.  He often quoted George Patton ‘lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.’ Ron always followed this and left his mark on two of our most successful leadership development programs at AHIP.  He was a boss, a mentor and colleague and a good friend to so many people.  He fought for the expansion of the Medicare Advantage program and joined the thousands to march on Washington to bring this message to the members of Congress and to the White House. His laughs were infectious.  Ron was a man of strength and compassion.  He will be missed as our friend and devoted member of the board of directors.”

Mr. Dobbins began his career with the Health Service Plan of Pennsylvania as the marketing and finance director.  Prior to that he worked for a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in North Philadelphia, which was recognized as one of the best and most innovative.  

“When I met Ronald Dobbins 40 years ago, he had a successful reputation, and his experience in Pennsylvania provided him with the foundation and insight to work well in Michigan,” said Dr. Julius Combs, Chairman Emeritus of OmniCare and retired Chairman and CEO of UAHC.  Ron’s leadership and vision were instrumental in shaping the company, and these attributes contributed much to the managed care industry.  On behalf of the former UAHC employees, especially those who interacted with Ron at OmniCare, we are grateful for his commitment. The managed care world is a better place to have had his expertise.”

Michigan HMO Plans, later known as OmniCare Health Plan, was one of the country’s first HMOs, which began in 1973. OmniCare was recognized throughout the country as the only one to successfully manage both Medicaid and commercial product lines during the early days of managed care.

“I first met Ron in the early 1980s when he came to Detroit to lead Michigan HMO Plans (MHMOP). MHMOP eventually became OmniCare. Over the years we became trusted colleagues and friends. I would characterize our professional relationship as one of competitive collaboration. Though we worked for competing organizations, we collaborated first and only competed when we needed to. There is an old corporate saying that goes ‘It is lonely at the top.’ When you are an African American CEO, it is even lonelier. Ron and I celebrated each other's successes and supported one another during times of challenge, said Isadore King, President and CEO of Synergy Partners, LLC and former President and CEO of The Wellness Plan. “I offer my sincere condolences to the Dobbins family. I know you will miss him because you loved him. Ron made a lot of friends in Detroit and around the country. We will miss him also because we loved him as well.”  

Mr. Dobbins received a BS in Business in 1960 and a MBA in 1972 from Temple University.  He was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1959. During his illustrious career, Mr. Dobbins had been actively involved in various state and national trade and professional organizations, including the American Association of Health Plans, today known as America’s Health Insurance Plans, and the Michigan Association of Health Plans.

“My father always stressed the importance of relationships. The qualities of trust, openness, support and excellence characterize successful relationships,” said Brian Dobbins, Executive Director of United Healthcare for West Tennessee. "I have encountered several of my father’s acquaintances over the past several days from corporate leaders, business owners, receptionists, janitors, store clerks, to my personal friends. They have said my father was a unique man and a brilliant communicator who inspired and touched their lives. My father taught me to help people find where they can be excellent by getting to know them. He had an extraordinary ability of helping people achieve personal and professional growth individually and through relationships.”

Mr. Dobbins served on the boards of Communities in Schools, Golden State Life Insurance Company, Marygrove College, Michigan National Bank, the Michigan Opera Theater, and he was Midwest chair and chair elect of the American Association of Health Plans at the time of his departure from UAHC and OmniCare.  He was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing at the TPC of Michigan and the Detroit Golf Club.


“Relationships between employees and management are important in job satisfaction.  Mr. Dobbins was the best person I have ever worked for in my life,” said Betty Duplissis, retired UAHC Executive Assistant. “He enjoyed walking around to see the employees. He always listened to employees from the copy center, the custodian, secretaries, vice presidents and in between.  Mr. Dobbins cared about people.”

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the recent death of Mr. Ronald Dobbins.  Mr. Dobbins (Mr. D as he was commonly called) was a man of great integrity. You quickly learned from working for Mr. D that average just would not do. Mr. D challenged all whom he employed to strive for greatness, and the bar of achievement was set very high. In his own way he taught me very valuable lessons:  to never rest on my laurels, to always demand more of myself and to constantly evaluate my work ethic and service for others. These lessons would serve as guides for striving to achieve excellence for myself and my design team. He was a client, a mentor and became a dear friend.  He will be deeply missed but never forgotten,” said Graziano Galloway-Gooden.

Mr. Dobbins is survived by his devoted wife of 49 years, Mildred, daughter, Cheryl Akoni (Jamil), son, Brian (Neira), and daughter, Stacey, four grandchildren, a brother, and three sisters.

Memorial services will be held at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, 230 W. Coulter St., in Philadelphia on July 26.


Contact:  Doris Powers Toney
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