Former HHS Director Maia Laing Joins Optum as Product VP

Maia Laing, a former program director at the Department of Health and Human Services, has been named vice president of product at Optum, FedHealthIT reported Friday.

In her previous role, Laing helped HHS oversee the Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health's portfolio associated with the Sickle Cell disease

Laing's career with the department also includes serving as director of strategy and innovation, focusing on interoperability, open data and process enhancement efforts. She also held the roles of health insurance specialist and social science research analyst at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

In addition, she served at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Montblanc.

Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based Optum is a UnitedHealth Group company and offers pharmacy, business, technology, health care and financial services.