Kate Renwick-Espinosa
TUCKER, Ga.—The National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP) announced at its Feb. 5 virtual board meeting, that Kate Renwick-Espinosa, president of VSP Vision Care will assume the chairwoman role following the announcement of Kirk Rothrock’s retirement as CEO of Versant Health. Renwick-Espinosa will hold the seat for a two-year term, effective immediately. Renwick-Espinosa succeeds Rothrock, CEO of Versant Health, who served as NAVCP chairman since April 2020. His retirement from Versant Health (which VMAIL recently reported created an early succession. Dr. Daniel Levy, chief optometric officer of Guardian/Avēsis, will assume the chairman-elect position.

“In his short tenure, Rothrock was able to provide invaluable experience and leadership during these unique times,” said Julian Roberts, executive director of NAVCP. “I look forward to the initiatives put forth by Rothrock that will continue to advance the value and necessity of managed vision care.”

As president of VSP Vision Care, Renwick-Espinosa leads the nation’s largest not-for-profit vision benefits company that provides access to eyecare and eyewear services to nearly 90 million members through a network of over 40,000 doctors. In this role, she leads the VSP Vision Care business in growing membership through diverse channels, including Fortune 500 companies, health plans, strategic partners, small businesses, and direct to consumer.

Renwick-Espinosa has worked for VSP for nearly three decades, and previously served as VSP Global’s first chief marketing officer. Under her leadership, VSP has reached historic growth in domestic membership, the announcement said. VSP Vision Care is a part of VSP Global.

“It’s an honor to lead NAVCP’s board of directors and continue elevating the critical role managed vision care plays in the greater health care system,” said Renwick-Espinosa. “Together with our member organizations, we’re committed to expanding access to eyecare and advocating for new ways to enhance and improve the eyecare experience for patients and providers alike.”

NAVCP is a nonprofit association serving as a unified voice for the managed vision care industry. The association provides a forum for cooperative industry collaboration on initiatives that work to preserve and strengthen consumer access to affordable vision insurance and benefits. NAVCP member companies operate extensive networks of vision care providers in all 50 states. Those networks cover approximately 170 million (53 percent) Americans.