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FLINT, Mich. — Paul Urick has been promoted to president at Diplomat Pharmacy Inc., succeeding Gary Kadlec, who is retiring.
Paul Urick
Diplomat said late Tuesday that Urick, currently senior vice president of industry relations, pharmaceutical account management and payor strategy, is slated to take the reins as president on Nov. 1.
Kadlec plans to retire on Dec. 31 and continue to serve on the board of directors through his term.
Also on Tuesday, Diplomat announced that Sean Whelan will step down as chief financial officer and a board director effective Dec. 31 to spend more time with his family.
Robin Johnson, vice president of finance and CFO of Diplomat’s specialty infusion division, will take on an expanded leadership role until a full-time replacement has been appointed, the company said.
Urick has served as senior vice president of industry relations, pharmaceutical account management and payor strategy at Diplomat since being promoted to the position in February. Previously, he was president of managed markets and industry relations for Burman’s Specialty Pharmacy in Media, Pa, which Diplomat acquired in June 2015. Before that, he served as senior vice president of pharmacy operations at Cigna Corp.
“I am delighted to work even more closely with our industry partners, operations, clinical services and sales teams,” Urick said in a statement. “I look forward to driving continued innovation, growth and leading Diplomat during this remarkable time.”
Kadlec has served as Diplomat president since June 2012 and as a director since February 2013. He joined Diplomat after more than seven years at excelleRx, an Omnicare company specializing in medication therapy management, where he most recently served as president and chief executive officer. His career in health care spans nearly 45 years.
Gary Kadlec
Diplomat noted that under Kadlec’s day-to-day leadership, the company has expanded through its initial public offering, strategic acquisitions, organic growth and operational innovation. Diplomat is the nation’s largest independent specialty pharmacy.
“Gary has guided us with his strategic leadership, integrity and unwavering commitment to our strong culture of patient care,” Diplomat chairman and CEO Phil Hagerman stated. “As part of internal succession planning activities, Gary, Paul and I have worked closely together to position the company for continued growth. As Paul takes the helm, he not only brings over two decades of in-depth knowledge and key relationships in specialty pharmacy, managed markets and integrated health systems, he also embodies Diplomat’s core values.”
Diplomat’s board is conducting a national search for a permanent CFO. Plans call for Whelan to work closely with Johnson over the next two months to help with the transition, the company said, adding that Johnson joined Diplomat in April 2015 with the acquisition of BioRx and brings significant financial leadership and health care experience as the former CFO of Vohra Health Services and vice president and chief accounting officer of Vitas Healthcare.
Whelan has served as Diplomat’s CFO since December 2010, secretary and treasurer since January 2012, and a director since February 2012.
“Sean has played a central role in many of Diplomats major initiatives, including leading its initial public offering in October 2014, to help position Diplomat for the future,” Hagerman commented. “As chief financial officer of Diplomat for the past six years and a member of the board of directors for nearly five years, Sean has provided exceptional oversight and guidance, enabling us to focus on delivering the best solutions for our patients and our partners. We thank Sean for his many contributions to Diplomat as well as his ongoing commitment as he transitions into the next stage of his life.”
