History and Background
Gentry Consulting operates primarily as an independent consultancy, with Mark Gentry serving as the principal consultant. Gentry Consulting was founded in 2006 by Mark following the acquisition of his employer, Ochsner Health Plan (OHP), by Humana. OHP was a local health plan in New Orleans and a subsidiary of Ochsner Health System. Having begun his career with Humana in 1992, where he quickly proved his ability to streamline processes and improve efficiency, he saw this as an opportunity to try a new path. Over the years, he held various roles of increasing accountability at organizations like Centene and PacifiCare (bought by United Healthcare), gaining valuable experience in finance, data analysis, project management, business operations, and information technology. This diverse background equipped Mark with a comprehensive understanding of managed care and healthcare operations.
Mark chose to join OHP because it was a smaller, local health plan that afforded him more opportunities to make a significant organizational impact, as opposed to larger, more established institutions. After Humana acquired OHP, many functions, including Mark's role, were migrated to Humana's corporate locations in Kentucky and Wisconsin. Recognizing Mark's value, Humana offered him a corporate role at their Kentucky or Wisconsin locations. However, Mark opted to aid with the migration efforts and accepted a severance package, seizing the opportunity to start Gentry Consulting.
Mark does occasionally employ additional staff as needed for specific projects. Additionally, he leverages a large network of peers and supportive relationships to provide specialized expertise and referrals when necessary. This flexible model allows Gentry Consulting to scale resources and deliver tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of each client.
Founder’s Background
Mark Gentry has a comprehensive background in managed care, developed through progressive roles of increasing accountability at organizations like Centene and PacifiCare (acquired by United Healthcare). His career began at Humana in 1992, where he quickly demonstrated his ability to streamline processes and improve efficiency. Over the years, Mark has supported various functions within managed care organizations, gaining a deep understanding of their operations and the interdependencies between different departments. His hands-on approach involved working closely with staff to understand and meet their specific needs and objectives, ensuring that their and his contributions were aligned with that of the overall business. This extensive experience, including significant roles in information technology, has equipped Mark with the knowledge and skills to provide strategic and operational support to healthcare organizations.
For nearly two-thirds of his career, Mark has reported directly to members of executive management, gaining valuable insights into high-level decision-making and strategic planning. This experience has honed his ability to understand and address the unique challenges faced by executive leadership. Since founding Gentry Consulting, Mark has continued to collaborate closely with executives at client organizations, providing expert guidance and support for critical initiatives.