Founder & CEO, Nest Health

Dr. Rebekah Gee is the visionary CEO/Founder of Nest Health and an Obstetrician/Gynecologist. Nest Health is the first value-based healthcare provider built for whole families. Through an innovative care model, Nest addresses generational drivers of poor health by providing primary, behavioral, and social care through house calls, virtual visits, and wraparound services. Nest partners with managed care plans to care for families with high or rising risk, chronic conditions, and a lack of attachment to primary care. Nest has been recognized as one of the leading tech-enabled companies in the Medicaid space and has been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, by Business Insider as one of the emerging healthcare companies to keep an eye on, and by CB Insights’ Digital 150 as one of the 10 most promising hybrid health companies worldwide.

Dr. Gee previously served as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health where she oversaw half the state budget and the implementation of Medicaid expansion. Gee developed the first in the nation elimination campaign for hepatitis C and continues to be a thought leader in helping to spread the Netflix drug subscription model nationally. As Secretary, Gee led national discussions on maternal mortality and established one of the first state run perinatal quality collaboratives focusing on maternal mortality. As a result, Louisiana saw a 32% drop in the severe health consequences of maternal hemorrhage – the leading preventable cause of maternal death in Louisiana. Dr. Gee implemented an aggressive statewide opioid response plan and dashboard, and a Secretary’s standing order for Naloxone, used by thousands of Louisianans. She successfully worked cross sector, founding the Taking Aim Against Cancer in Louisiana initiative, bringing payers, providers, and patients together to align on interventions that have improved cancer screening and outcomes.

Gee has an extensive background in quality improvement, has served on the boards of the National Quality Forum and NCQA and currently serves on the board of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Before her time as Secretary, Gee served as the Medicaid Medical Director for Louisiana Medicaid, the Medical Director for Title V, and directed Louisiana’s Birth Outcomes Initiative where she led the charge to decrease infant mortality and prematurity. Her initiative resulted in a 25% reduction in infant mortality, an 85% drop in elective deliveries before 39 weeks, and a 10% drop in NICU admissions statewide. Gee is a policy thought leader, has published extensively on policy issues and served as an advisor to two presidential campaigns.

In 2017, Gee’s exceptional contributions led to her election to the esteemed National Academy of Medicine. Gee has been recognized by the New York Times as one of Five Who Spread Hope worldwide in 2019, by Modern Healthcare as one of the Women Leaders to Watch in Healthcare, and by New Orleans City Business as an influential leader in the Power 50. Dr. Gee currently serves on the medical advisory board for 3D systems and has previously served in a similar role for SelectQuote. Gee is the parent of five energetic children and lives in New Orleans with her husband David Patron, head of commercial litigation at Phelps Dunbar.