Aetna Names Sandip Patel Head of International Business

Aetna (NYSE: AET) announced today that Sandip Patel has been named to the new position of head of International business. In this role, Patel will develop and execute growth strategies to further expand the company’s international business, building on the success of Aetna Global Benefits with both expatriate and health administration services businesses worldwide.

Patel, 43, joins Aetna from IBM Global Business Services, where he served as managing partner and general manager for the India/South Asia region.

"Opportunities abound for Aetna to help build, enhance and improve access to health care systems worldwide, and grow our own business in the global market," said Aetna President Mark T. Bertolini. "I am extremely pleased that Sandip has chosen to continue his career at Aetna and I am confident that his experience in developing global market strategies will help us enter new growth markets and expand our global footprint."

"I am very pleased to join this dynamic industry leader that is focused on making a difference in the world of health care,” said Patel. "As Aetna moves forward in growing its international business, I am looking forward to helping the company meet new challenges."

Patel has a strong history of success, both at IBM Global Business Services and at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, where he was a partner. He has worked with clients to implement growth strategies in different markets around the world. Most recently, he was responsible for IBM’s Global Services business in India/South Asia, and before that, served as the Asia Pacific leader for IBM GBS’ Financial Services sector, based out of Tokyo.

Patel began his career as a Chartered Accountant in India. He is a graduate of the University of Calcutta and holds an MBA and M.S. from Boston University.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.3 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com.