HARTFORD, CT: CVS Health has hired Crystal Warwell Walker to lead Aetna’s communications team.
As VP of healthcare business communications, Warwell Walker will report to CVS Health SVP and chief communications officer Kym White.
Warwell Walker will drive Aetna’s communications strategy in support of CVS Health’s business, including its products, services and thought leadership, while also leading issues management and serving as a link to other business units and enterprise initiatives. Her responsibilities will span external, internal and executive communications, White said via email.
Warwell Walker is joining CVS Health from Syneos Health, a global biopharmaceutical contract research organization, where she was VP of internal communications and social responsibility. She supported employee engagement, culture and sustainability in 110 countries.
Warwell Walker also spent seven years at insurer WellCare in communications positions and as VP of CSR, diversity and inclusion and executive director of the WellCare Foundation. She also spent six years at the Coca-Cola Company, most recently as director of corporate external affairs.
Warwell Walker could not be reached for comment.
Last month, CVS Health hired Michelle Peluso as chief customer officer from IBM, where she was SVP of digital sales and CMO. White joined CVS Health last April. Previously, she was SVP and chief communications officer at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a global biotechnology company based in Boston.
CVS Health acquired health insurance giant Aetna in the biggest deal of 2018. In Q4 2020, CVS’ profit dropped by more than 40% to $975 million largely due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare benefits, retail and long-term care. Revenue was up 4% to $69.5 billion. CVS beat analysts’ expectations.
CVS Health president and CEO Karen Lynch said on Tuesday’s earnings call that CVS Health will re-enter the business of selling individual coverage via the Affordable Care Act for 2022.
