Cambia Health Solutions and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina announced Friday that they have mutually agreed to withdraw their merger applications.
The companies said Tuesday that their boards had decided to temporarily pause efforts to combine operations of the two companies.
(Related: Northwestern Blues’ Parent to Run North Carolina Blue)
The companies made the announcement after news broke that Patrick Conway, the chief executive officer of North Carolina Blue, had been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, after colliding with a delivery truck, in June.
The North Carolina Blue board said in a statement that it had reviewed information about the accident and DUI charges immediately after the accident, but that new details have recently come to light. The board said that it had asked for Conway’s resignation, and that Conway had resigned.
“Despite Dr. Conway’s many successes during his tenure at BlueCross NC, we feel that our constituents are best served by naming an interim CEO and beginning a formal search for a permanent replacement,” the board said in a statement about Conway’s departure.
The company’s board picked Gerald Petkau to be the interim CEO.
Conway said via Twitter that he has been dedicated throughout his career to helping people live longer, happier and better lives through access to affordable health care.
“Today, I am ashamed, embarrassed and sorry about my actions on June 22nd,” he said. “I am especially sorry for the pain I have caused my family, friends and colleagues.”
Conway said that he had disclosed what happened to the North Carolina board and completed 30 days of inpatient substance abuse treatment.
“However, I also understand that I must continue to work hard to earn back the trust that I’ve lost based on my actions,” Conway said.
Patrick Conway’s Background
Conway is a medical doctor who earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a medical degree from the Baylor College of Medicine. He completed a residency in pediatrics at Harvard and earned a master’s degree in health services research and health policy from the University of Pennsylvania’s medical school.