Ikenna W. Okezie
DIVISION VICE PRESIDENT
DAVITA INC.
AGE: 38
For Ikenna W. Okezie, M.D., taking on the role of Division vice president at DaVita Inc. was the perfect union of his business and medical backgrounds. In less than one year, he restructured and grew his $150 million business unit for DaVita in Virginia and West Virginia. “Building a great team, great infrastructure and great processes leads to great outcomes,” he says. In DaVita’s case, those outcomes go beyond financial metrics, “those outcomes mean patients’ lives,” he adds.
DaVita is a leading provider of kidney care, dialysis services and renal education to patients with chronic kidney failure and end-stage renal disease. Dr. Okezie manages all aspects of its operations throughout Virginia and West Virginia. Prior to joining DaVita, he founded HealthTank L.L.C., an innovative communications firm that produces more than 40 educational playing cards focusing on heart health, diabetes, campus health, preparedness and other aspects of health, and has sold more than 250,000 decks. “I like to believe that at some level we are saving peoples’ lives with this information,” says Okezie.
Okezie holds M.D. and M.B.A. degrees from Harvard University and a bachelor’s in economics from Yale University. He refined his leadership skills and ability to develop strong teams while working at Goldman Sachs, McKinsey & Co., and The Advisory Board Co. Okezie strives to further impact the health-care experience of others. “I want to improve peoples’ health and help others become health-care leaders,” he says.
Okezie is board member of the Prince William County Public School Foundation and a member of the advisory council of the AnBryce Foundation, which empowers underserved youth. He was recently appointed to the Medical Review Board of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services End-Stage Renal Disease Network covering Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
FUN FACTS
Favorite comedian: Will Ferrell
Favorite sport: Wrestling
Last movie: “Salt”
