Kevin Fitzgerald, MD

Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald is the Medical Director for Mesa County Public Health and serves the Western Healthcare Alliance (WHA) as Community Care Alliance Medical Director. Dr. Fitzgerald leads health management strategies including provider engagement and outreach, quality and utilization reporting, aligned incentives and clinical strategies to effectively manage Western ACO’s attributed patient population.

With over 30 years’ experience in medicine and medical administration, Dr. Fitzgerald brings varied experience. From the hands-on practice of medicine and teaching residents and Physician Assistant students to various administration positions from Managed Services Organizations to Health Plan Medical Director and Chief Medical Officer. He has a wealth of understanding of data, process and quality improvement activities, accreditation requirements for NCQA, practice management, IPA/health plan interface, and physician relationships.

Prior to joining Mesa County Public Health and WHA, Dr. Fitzgerald was the Chief Medical Officer for Rocky Mountain Health Plans. His previous experiences include Assistant Director for a Family Medicine Residency and the Medical Director of Colorado for United Healthcare. He was also the first Medical Director for Physician Health Partners, a start- up Managed Services Organization in Denver, eventually taking the role of Vice President of Utilization Management.

These experiences have left Dr. Fitzgerald with a sense that healthcare is best delivered and managed with the strong influence of local control. The nuance of local variation in the delivery system combined with provider professional expertise is paramount to the community and keeping the population close to their personal support systems.

Dr. Fitzgerald was raised in the Denver Metro area. After High School he enlisted in the United States Army, serving as a Fixed Wing Airplane Mechanic/Crew Chief. After his separation from the military, he completed his undergraduate degree in chemistry and math and obtained his Medical Degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He completed his residency in Family Medicine at Mercy Hospital in Denver. He remains Board Certified and still practices medicine part time at a local after-hours clinic in Grand Junction. In his free time, he enjoys fly fishing, hunting, camping, travel, playing the guitar, and especially time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Medical Education: Undergraduate degree in chemistry and math and Medical Degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine

Residency: Family Medicine at Mercy Hospital in Denver