Don Kowitz is a retired senior executive with more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare and health insurance industries.

Don retired as the Chief Executive Officer of Saint Mary’s Health Plans (SMHP) in May of 2014.  SMHP (now Prominence Health Plan) currently serves over 65,000 Nevadans with a full range of health insurance, administrative and wellness services. 

Don joined SMHP in 1997 as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.  Under his leadership the size of the plan quadrupled.  He also acquired a group health and workers’ compensation third party administrator and developed an indemnity insurance company.  With his direction SMHP became the first Nevada Health Plan to earn an “excellent” accreditation from the National Committee for Quality assurance (NCQA).

In 2004, Don was installed as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center.  Over the next three years he played a significant role in the achievements of Saint Mary’s and helped to transition the hospital to the Dignity Health system.

In 2007 Don returned to Saint Mary’s Health Plans, now as the President and Chief Executive Officer, focusing on the development and implementation of key business strategies.  These included the expansion of SMHP to Las Vegas; implementation of a broad range of actions to improve financial performance; formation of a provider network joint venture with Universal Health System; designing and offering products on the Nevada healthcare exchange; and the filing of Medicare Advantage products in both Nevada and Texas.

Don received his education at Michigan State University, graduating with high honors and a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics with a minor in accounting.  He began his career as a CPA and prior to joining Saint Mary’s, worked for over 15 years as a senior executive in various insurance, financial and operations positions.

Don is an active member of the Reno community and currently is the Chairperson of the Board of Access to Healthcare Network.  He also serves on the Boards of PBS Reno and Community Health Alliance Foundation.