Sutton Brings Steady Leadership to Oklahoma’s Largest Locally Owned Health Plan

Lifelong Oklahoman Josiah Sutton has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of CommunityCare, the state’s largest locally owned health plan. A longtime leader within the organization, Sutton brings both institutional knowledge and a passion for service to the role, reinforcing the company’s stability and long-term vision.

“Our guiding principle is that our members always come first. There’s nothing we can’t do if we are all operating under that same philosophy and thinking about things differently,” Sutton said. “My number one priority is to ensure all of our employees are aligned around our mission to transform health care in Oklahoma.”

With these words, Sutton sets the tone for a new chapter at CommunityCare — one that builds on the organization’s Oklahoma roots and steadfast mission while looking boldly toward the future.

Sutton joined CommunityCare in 2018 as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development and later served as Chief Operating Officer before stepping into the interim CEO role in 2024. During his time with the organization, he’s gained hands-on leadership experience across nearly every department.

“At one point or another, I’ve been responsible for almost every part of the organization,” Sutton said. “That depth of experience made the transition into the CEO role feel natural and seamless.”

Sutton grew up in Skiatook and graduated from Northeastern State University. He began his health care career at Saint Francis and later spent a decade with Kaiser Permanente, serving in leadership roles across the country before returning home to Oklahoma with his wife and two sons.

“When the opportunity to join CommunityCare came along, I saw it as a chance to return to my roots — back to Oklahoma and back to my family — while continuing the kind of mission-driven work I loved at Kaiser,” he shared.

That connection to both mission and place reflects CommunityCare’s identity as a locally owned and operated health plan. The organization is jointly owned by Ascension St. John and Saint Francis Health System and has been dedicated to serving Oklahomans for more than 30 years.

Guided by a deep understanding of the local landscape, CommunityCare is focused on transforming the health care experience — removing barriers, improving access and delivering better outcomes for the people and communities it serves.

Today, CommunityCare provides comprehensive health insurance coverage across the state, from employer groups to Medicare Advantage plans in 31 counties and individual and family plans in 16 counties. Under Sutton’s leadership, the company continues to evolve its offerings while staying grounded in its community-focused values.

“As we look for efficiencies and areas we can improve, we’re always asking — how will this impact the member? If it’s better for the member, then it’s the right thing to do.”

That focus on the member experience is already producing results. For example, recent changes in how the organization manages advanced imaging have significantly reduced costs for members, cutting average out-of-pocket expenses from over $1,200 to as little as $400.

Looking ahead, Sutton is focused on three key priorities: system improvements that benefit members, providers and partners; expanded access to high-quality care across the state, including rural areas; and ensuring that all of the company’s nearly 500 employees are aligned around the company’s shared mission – to transform health care in Oklahoma.

At a time when the health care landscape is rapidly evolving, Sutton’s appointment signals not only continuity but a renewed sense of purpose and confidence in CommunityCare’s future.

“We’re not answering to out-of-state shareholders. If we can cover our costs, pay our providers and give our members great benefits — then that’s a win,” he said. “This is personal for me. I’m raising my family here, and I care deeply about the future of health care in our state.”

With a steady hand and a clear vision, Sutton is excited to lead an organization forward that is rooted in Oklahoma values, built on decades of experience and focused squarely on the people CommunityCare serves.