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J. Michael Jernigan President and Chief Executive Officer

As Chief Executive Officer, J. Michael Jernigan founded Select Health of South Carolina, Inc., the first Medicaid health plan in South Carolina in 1995 in an effort to help low-income families improve 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 more than 200,000 members in fifteen years.

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

Mr. 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.

As of 2010, Mr. Jernigan assumed responsibilities as Regional President, Southern Division for the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies, for growth and operations in eight states.  New duties include providing oversight for businesses in Indiana and Kentucky while supporting growth opportunities in the Southeast.

In addition to his work duties, Mr. Jernigan is involved with many civic- and health-related organizations. He recently completed five years of service as board member and president of the National Exchange Club Foundation, an organization supporting national efforts to prevent child abuse, promote Americanism and youth achievement.  The Foundation has raised over $2.7 million in its first ever capital campaign with Mr. Jernigan serving as co-chairman with on going plans to reach $5 million.  He serves on the Executive committee of the Coastal Carolina Fair and participates on the capital campaign committee for the Lowcountry Food Bank.  Mr. Jernigan currently serves as the president of the Board of Directors for the Medicaid Health Plans of South Carolina.  He 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 and campaign chair from the Lowcountry Food Bank Capital Campaign.  He 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 and Board of Directors for Tri-County Project Care.

Mr. Jernigan was named Charleston Regional Business Journal’s 2010 Health Care Hero in the Health Professional category.