PATRICIA DEFERIO has joined home and community-based health nonprofit VNS Health as VP for health plans in New York’s upstate region. With more than two decades of upstate health-care experience, Deferio brings to this role both an extensive knowledge of today’s evolving managed-care landscape, and a deep understanding of the complex medical needs of Medicare and Medicaid plan members. With a focus on simplifying and easing access to care, her responsibilities include oversight of growth and performance of VNS Health Plans across 30-plus upstate New York counties, enhancing provider networks, and fostering business partnerships throughout the region. Prior to joining VNS Health, Deferio served as VP of provider-network experience for CareCentrix and held senior positions at health insurer MVP Health Care. She holds a bachelor’s degree in language and economics from SUNY Oswego, as well as a certificate in labor relations from the New York State School of Labor and Industrial Relations at Cornell University and has earned designation as a fellow by American Health Insurance Plans.