December 13, 2022
(Austin) – The Board of Directors for Sendero Health Plans announced Monday the departure of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Wes Durskalski.
Sendero also announced Perla Cavazos, Central Health Deputy Administrator, will serve as acting CEO of Sendero. The Sendero Board of Directors will begin a search for a new, permanent CEO.
“As Perla transitions from Central Health to Sendero, we believe there’s an unique opportunity to further integrate the missions of the two organizations – providing quality health coverage for more Travis County residents,” said Betty DeLargy, chair of the Sendero Board of Directors. “As we explore new strategies to benefit people in our community who need health insurance, Sendero will continue to focus on serving its current members and enrolling new customers during the current 2023 Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period.”
Sendero is a local, non-profit health maintenance organization (HMO) created and funded by Central Health, the Travis County Hospital District. Durkalski served as Sendero CEO since 2014.
Cavazos joined Central Health in July of 2016, where she currently serves as Deputy Administrator for the organization. She previously worked for Texas Legal Services Center, Texas Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, and in the Texas Senate as a Senior Policy Analyst and Legislative Director. Perla has a BA from Stanford University and a Master’s in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.
As the search for a permanent CEO begins, Sendero members can expect no changes or disruptions to their health coverage.
Sendero offers the only 4-star plan in Texas on the 2022 and 2021 Nationwide Quality Rating System by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Sendero’s headquarters is in Austin.
