NOTE: This event takes place in EASTERN time zone.
Dr. Charles Willey, physician and CEO of Innovare Health Advocates will discuss the numerous healthcare businesses he has created and managed in the St. Louis area for almost 30 years. Specifically, we will discuss how he works with Medicare Advantage patients to keep them happy and healthy, all while operating at a fraction of the average cost. Dr. Willey’s business model shows that keeping patients healthy saves them money, which makes them all the more happy — this is true “healthcare.” You can read his testimony “Oversight of IRS’s Legal Basis for Expanding Obamacares’s Taxes and Subsidies” before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements.
There is no cost to attend this event, and refreshments will be served.
PARKING: Hickory East Garage
3424 Hickory Street
St. Louis, MO 63104
POST-EVENT SUMMARY: 
Twenty-five students enjoyed some local BBQ while listening to Dr. Charles Willey give a presentation about his career. One of his take home messages was that we need more physician leaders in the business of healthcare. Dr. Willey emphasized that physicians are in the best position to understand and improve patients’ health, including their financial health involving medical expenditures.
After graduating from medical school and practicing as an Internist, Dr. Willey took leadership roles which enabled him to see the inefficiencies in our healthcare system. Due to his frustrations, he started an insurance company, invented an electronic prescription writer, and began to reorganize his approach to healthcare. Dr. Willey began to truly understand that healthy patients are less expensive to care for than sick patients, and so started investing in more personal relationships with his patients and employees, emphasizing preventative care. Dr. Willey explained that as he tried to help his patients and employees stay happy, healthy, and active, he was forced to become more politically active as well. The heavy burden of regulations that come with the Affordable Care Act have made it increasingly hard for Dr. Willey to give his patients and employees the care and benefits that they need and want.
By the end of the presentation, students had chosen to miss 20 minutes of their next class to listen and ask questions. Dr. Willey gladly stayed after for this discussion period and passed out reading material summarizing the basic ideals foundational to his successful businesses and clinics. He also provided a print copy of his article, “One Doctor’s Prescription To Cut Health Care Costs.” Dr. Willey encouraged us to stay in contact, and BRI-St. Louis University Chapter plans to have him return for another presentation or BRI event.