NANCY-ANN DEPARLE

Nancy-Ann DeParle’s decades-long career in the health care industry has spanned all corners of Tennessee, two White House administrations, the boards of countless health care companies, many nonprofits and more.

After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree with highest honors from the University of Tennessee, where she was the first female student body president in UT history, DeParle continued her education by earning her JD from Harvard Law School. From there, she received a BA and MA from Balliol College of Oxford University, which she attended as a Rhodes Scholar.

She began her career as a lawyer at Nashville’s Bass, Berry & Sims, until becoming the youngest Cabinet member in Tennessee history when she served as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services under Governor Ned McWherter. While there, she worked to improve child support enforcement and led the administration’s efforts to strengthen foster care, adoption and child protective services, leading to the creation of an independent Department of Children’s Services.

Soon after, she joined the Clinton administration as the Associate Director for Health at the White House Office of Management & Budget and went on to become Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS). As CMS administrator, she implemented the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, launched the first Medicare handbook and implemented payment reforms in the Balanced Budget Act. From 2009–2011, DeParle served as Counselor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Health Reform where she spearheaded the Affordable Care Act’s enactment. The ACA provided affordable coverage to millions of uninsured Americans, lowered health care cost growth to its lowest in 50 years and spurred delivery system improvements that have saved millions of dollars and lives.

Beyond her public service, DeParle has served as an independent director of many health care companies including CVS Health, HCA Healthcare, Accredo Health and more. Currently, she serves as partner and co-founder of Consonance Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on partnering with innovative health care companies.

A dedicated health care advocate, active public servant and successful businesswoman, Nancy-Ann DeParle is a 2019 inductee of the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame.