The Corydon Group launches new center

Indianapolis-based public affairs firm The Corydon Group is forming a new Health Policy Center and hiring a prominent doctor to run it. John J. Wernert, MD, MHA will start work with The Corydon Group on December 4 as a Senior Vice President and will launch the center.

“Dr. Wernert’s work at the new center will focus on public and payment policies that promote long-term, sustainable and better health care outcomes,” said The Corydon Group’s Managing Principal Christopher M. Gibson.  “John will work with clients to assess how health care delivery can be improved to create those better outcomes.”

Dr. Wernert has recently been working in Kentucky and Indiana on improving rural access to mental health and addiction services, as well as on alternative payment strategies with insurers.

The Corydon Group has one of the most robust health care advocacy practices in Indiana headed by long-time statehouse lobbyist, Louis M. Belch.

“I have known Dr. Wernert for almost 30 years and worked with him in a number of capacities,” said Belch. “When I saw the chance to have him join our team, I was eager to add his policy credentials to our already substantial experience in the health care space.”

The Corydon Group’s New Hire

Dr. Wernert is a Board Certified Psychiatrist and has practiced medicine in Indiana for more than 30 years. In addition, Dr. Wernert served as the Secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) for nearly three years under then-Governor Michael R. Pence and most recently served as the Sagamore Institute’s Vice President and the Director of the Health Innovation Center.  Dr. Wernert will remain a senior scholar at the Sagamore Institute headquartered in Indianapolis.

“I’m very excited to join the outstanding team at The Corydon Group and lead the new Health Policy Center,” said Dr. Wernert. “We will be working to help transform how health care is paid for and delivered by our clients with an aim of improving public policy on the legislative front to help Hoosiers be healthier.”

Dr. Wernert graduated from Bellarmine University, has a Master’s Degree in Health Administration from Indiana University and obtained his doctorate from the University of Louisville’s School of Medicine.  He completed an internship and residency at the Indiana University School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry, where he is currently a Clinical Associate Professor.  Dr. Wernert holds an active medical license in both Indiana and Kentucky. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Wernert’s Past Experience

He previously has served as the Medical Director of Medical Management at Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis, the Medical Director for Behavioral Health Integration for the Franciscan Alliance and as Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs for MDwise, Inc.

John was elected President of the Indiana State Medical Association before stepping down to head FSSA.  He is also a past President of the Indianapolis Medical Society and has served on the Indiana Medical Licensing Board and Indiana Drug Utilization Review Board. He has held national leadership positions with various medical groups including the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association.

The Corydon Group (TCG) is one of Indiana’s most prominent public affairs firms and a KSC client.   TCG has successfully represented Fortune 500 companies with household names and Indiana trade association alike for over 17 years. TCG provides governmental affairs, full-service association management, strategic communications, coalition building and grasstops organizing services.  More information is available at www.thecorydongroup.com.

2 Comments

  1. […] also has hired a prominent professional to lead IMS as its Executive Vice President and serve as The Corydon Group’s Director of Strategic Initiatives.  This is a newly created position reporting directly to the […]



  2. bill on April 7, 2022 at 8:25 pm

    Congrats