Clyde L. Reese III, Esq., Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Health announced that he has concluded his search for a new Chief of the Medical Assistance Plans Division with the appointment of Linda Wiant, effective March 16, 2015. Dr. Wiant brings more than 20 years of experience in managed care pharmacy, with much of that experience in Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care environments.

"I believe Linda has the temperament, experience, perspective and approach to be a strong and effective leader of Georgia's Medicaid program in this critical era of transformation of our nation's health care system,” said Commissioner Reese. “I am confident in her ability to work under the leadership of Governor Deal and my direction to shepherd the program into the future. I appreciate her willingness to assume this important role."

Dr. Wiant currently serves as Pharmacy Director for the Department of Community Health, Division of Medical Assistance Plans, a position she has held since August 2011. As Pharmacy Director, her daily responsibilities include oversight of the Fee-for-Service (FFS) program, including the pharmacy claims processing system and Pharmacy Benefit Manager, oversight of the Drug Rebate Program and vendor, oversight of the prior authorization program and budget responsibilities. The FFS pharmacy benefit covers approximately 460,000 patients with a total annual drug expenditure of $560 million. Dr. Wiant has implemented significant program and process improvements, while overseeing these programs on behalf of Medical Assistance Plan members and Georgia citizens.

Dr. Wiant’s previous experience includes positions at Affiliated Computer Systems as Director of Clinical Services in the PBM unit and as Pharmacy Program Manager in the Federal Services Division. She has also held positions at Prudent Rx, a pharmacy audit company, and as a product manager at Gold Standard, An Elsevier Company. 

Dr. Wiant received her pharmacy degree from Mercer University in 1993 and completed a pharmacy practice residency at University Medical Center (Now Shands Jacksonville) in Jacksonville, Florida.