James Springfield is the 14th president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX), the state’s oldest and largest health insurer.

James provides accountability and strategic leadership for the teams managing sales and marketing, network development, health care delivery, health care management, government and public relations and market strategy. In a company which processes over $38 billion in claims with a network of nearly 130,000 physicians and 547 hospitals serving over 6.7 million members, he is responsible for the affordability of care in all market segments, including group, government and retail/family product portfolio in all 254 Texas counties.

James has garnered a depth of senior leadership experience from a variety of prominent health care organizations. This includes 13 years at Memorial Hermann Healthcare System in Houston where he served as CEO of Hermann Children’s Hospital and COO of Hermann. He also led Valley Baptist Health System in south Texas as president and CEO, founded three successful health care startup companies, and has served as an advisory to private equity and venture funds. James also served as the senior vice president of provider market growth and business development at Optum, a division of United Health.

Prior to joining BCBSTX as president in 2021, James served as National Chief Operating Officer for Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

In addition to his corporate accomplishments, James is passionate about service. He has held positions on numerous community and professional boards and committees, including the American Hospital Association, Texas Hospital Association, Houston SEARCH for Homeless, Greater Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce, Rio Grande Valley Partnership, and Baylor University. James has also served on the board of the Touchdown Club of Houston and as a committee member with the Houston Rodeo Livestock Show and Rodeo. He is currently chairman of the Caring Foundation of Texas and member of the Dallas Regional Chamber’s board of directors.

James is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and earned a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University as well as a master’s degree in public health from University of Houston – Clear Lake. James and his wife Teri currently reside in McKinney and are proud parents to their four children Jordan, Tanner, Cydney, and Ashley as well as two granddaughters Dorothy and Lucy.

We would like to thank CHRISTUS Health for hosting this event!