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Senior Staff

J. Michael Jernigan President and Chief Executive Officer

As President and Chief Executive Officer, Mike Jernigan founded Select Health of South Carolina, Inc., the first Medicaid health plan in South Carolina in 1995 to help low income families increase access to healthcare in our state. Under his leadership, the health plan has expanded to all 46 counties in South Carolina, and membership has grown to nearly 200,000 members in 13 years. Membership figures include those covered by the company’s Medicaid product, First Choice, and the children’s health insurance plan product, First Choice Kids.

Born and educated in South Carolina, Jernigan began his professional career in 1977, working with hospital clients in South Carolina. After 20 years with various health provider organizations across the country, he returned to South Carolina in 1995 to organize Select Health.  Due to the provider background of Jernigan and other senior managers, Select Health has established a provider-friendly health plan with a mission of helping families to access care and stay well while building healthy communities. Developing collaborative relationships with organizations committed to improving the lives of children in South Carolina continues to be a priority for Jernigan.

Jernigan’s leadership ensured a smooth transition for members, providers and employees in 1999, when Select Health joined the AmeriHealth Mercy family of companies, the nation’s largest organization providing Medicaid health benefits.

In addition to his duties at Select Health, Jernigan is involved with many civic and health-related organizations. He currently serves as President of the National Exchange Club Foundation, an organization supporting national efforts to prevent child abuse, promote Americanism and youth achievement. Jernigan is also a member of the South Carolina and National Rural Health Associations and a 2003 graduate of Leadership South Carolina.

Previous leadership activities included serving as President of the Exchange Club of Charleston, co-chairman of the March of Dimes Low Country Chefs Feast event, board member of the Coastal Carolina Fair and campaign chair for the Lowcountry Food Bank Capital Campaign. Jernigan also served as a member of the board for the Low Country Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, SC Coalition for Covering Kids, SC Schools of Promise, Saint James Santee Community Health Center, the Exchange Center for Prevention of Child Abuse, the Board of Visitors for Charleston Southern University, Board of Directors for Tri-County Project Care and Medicaid Health Plans of America.