Meet Dr. Denise Lombardi

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Inspiration to Become a Doctor

Dr. Leonardi was inspired to pursue medicine at the age of 10 after reading "Death Be Not Proud," a book about a patient with brain cancer. The family's journey and the neurosurgeon's care deeply moved her and sparked her interest in the field.

Early Life and Education

Family Background: Dr. Leonardi is the 10th of 13 children. Her father had a 4th-grade education, and her mother had a 10th-grade education. Remarkably, her mother graduated from high school while Dr. Leonardi was in medical school.
First Job: At 12, she started babysitting a family of five.
Pre-Medical School Role: She worked as a Field Engineer designing cable for new developments.

Career Path

Early Medical Career: Began at an FQHC as an assistant medical director, writing pediatric care protocols, delivering babies, and working in the ICU.
Private Practice and HMO: Moved into private practice, then joined an HMO, running a primary care and urgent clinic with 20 providers and serving as a part-medical director focusing on UM and Quality for six years.
Hospital System Roles: Held various roles including Chair of Family Medicine, Chair of Medicine, Physician Advisor for UM and Quality, Chief of Staff, and Board Chair.
United Healthcare: Joined UHC in 2011, initially working in Appeals and Grievances before becoming a CMO for NM, HI, and then NM again.

Impact on Members

Dr. Leonardi and her team have made a significant positive impact on members, changing lives one member at a time through their dedicated efforts.

Current Priorities

Engaging Challenging Members: Reducing unnecessary utilization.
Quality Initiatives: Focusing on HEDIS measures.

Advice for New CMOs

Multiple Roles: Be prepared to wear many hats and face both successes and failures.
State Contract: Read it thoroughly and bookmark it.
Regulator Relationship: Build a relationship of trust with your regulator.

Work-Life Balance

Dr. Leonardi achieves balance by singing, exercising, and participating in two book clubs discussing topics outside of medicine and management.

Fun Facts

She sang with a choir at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome in 1998 and Notre Dame in France in 2000, and she still sings in a choir today. Dr. Leonardi has bicycled the Camino De Santiago and has also walked part of the trail which is a major accomplishment.

Dr. Leonardi's journey is truly inspiring, and we are pleased to have her on our team!