Forge Health Appoints Michael Midgette as Chief Growth Officer

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Forge Health (“Forge” or the “Company”), a leading provider of value-based mental health and substance use care, announced today the appointment of Michael Midgette as Chief Growth Officer.

In this role, Midgette will be responsible for driving strategic growth initiatives and leading the rapid adoption of Forge’s market-leading mental health and substance use treatment model that seamlessly integrates digital health and in-person clinics. Midgette will also lead the Company in aligning its extensive capabilities to develop and enhance value-based partnerships with payers, health systems, ACOs, government agencies, and employers.

Midgette joins Forge with extensive experience in working alongside leading payers and providers throughout the nation to develop and implement innovative value-based care models to ensure patients have access to life saving, innovative clinical care. Prior to joining Forge, Midgette led all sales, partnership, and growth functions for Cricket Health as Vice President of Growth. During his time at Cricket, Midgette was instrumental in the company’s development into a national chronic disease management provider via strategic partnerships with payers, health systems, and ACOs.

“Forge Health is the leader in delivering transformative, value-based mental health and substance use care,” said Eric Frieman, CEO of Forge Health. “Yet, we’ve only scratched the surface. Michael’s extensive experience and success in executing on value-based growth uniquely prepare him to lead our growth efforts, and we’re confident that he will further establish us as the market leader as well as be the catalyst for new ground-breaking partnerships.”

Forge Health has a successful history of partnering with payers, health systems, government agencies, and employers to provide technology-enabled, evidence-based mental health and substance use treatment solutions to increase access, lower costs, improve care quality, while also delivering an exceptional patient experience. From its efforts being made to advance and improve Veterans’ mental health and well-being through its landmark Strategic Partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, to working with payers, State Health Benefits Funds, and first responder agencies, Forge has deep experience working alongside industry partners to advance and improve the delivery of mental health and substance use care.

“I am excited to join the Forge Health team as Chief Growth Officer,” said Midgette. “Forge’s dedication to continuously and effectively measure outcomes and recognize opportunities to improve care is unparalleled. This is a pivotal time in the behavioral health industry, and I welcome the opportunity to work alongside payer and provider industry leaders to set the new standard for a population of patients who so sorely need and deserve the highest quality care.”

About Forge Health

Forge Health, previously known as Strive Health and VFR Healthcare, is transforming behavioral health care through an affordable and effective technology-enabled model that seamlessly integrates digital health services and in-person care. Forge delivers in-network, evidence-based outpatient treatment for substance use, mental health, or trauma issues when and where clients need it – delivered virtually from the comfort, privacy, and convenience of their home or in-person at our beautifully-designed, welcoming technology-enabled offices.

Forge’s Veteran and First Responder services (Forge VFR) has earned a distinct reputation and the trust of providing the highest quality behavioral health care to of active-duty servicemembers, Veterans, first responders, and their families. This includes making history with a first-of-its-kind partnership with the VA to enhance the access to behavioral health care to reduce suicide. Through this partnership, Forge works with the VA to provide care in underserved areas and ensures Veterans and their families get the highest-quality care.