John J. Wernert, M.D., MHA
Senior Vice President - The Corydon Group
Dr. John J. Wernert joined The Corydon Group in December 2017 (see press release) after completing a year with the Sagamore Institute and a cabinet post during the gubernatorial term of U.S. Vice President Michael Pence. Dr. Wernert serves as the Senior Vice President of The Corydon Group and is the inaugural Director of the Center for Health Policy. Dr. Wernert has 30 years’ experience as a psychiatrist, geriatrician and healthcare leader in Indiana. He most recently served the state of Indiana as Secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), appointed to this cabinet position by Governor Pence in June 2014. This large multi-division state agency is responsible for the provision of social benefits and healthcare for 1.5 million Hoosiers in need. At the Sagamore Institute, Dr. Wernert worked with Non-profits, Faith-based organizations and medical innovators aspiring to achieve transformation in the provision of medical/psychiatric services, social welfare and education both at the state and national levels. At the Corydon Group, John hopes to bring his clinical expertise, high-level leadership skills, deep policy experience and consensus building to the escalating problems in our American Healthcare system.
Dr. Wernert began the full-time medical practice of psychiatry in 1989. Dr. Wernert is a Distinguished Alumnus of Bellarmine University and obtained his M.D. degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 1985. His postdoctoral training included an internship and residency at the Indiana University School of Medicine through the Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Wernert has practiced medicine in central Indiana since 1989, and is licensed in Kentucky and Indiana. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Wernert completed a Master’s Degree in Health Administration from Indiana University in 1996. He is board certified in Adult Psychiatry, and has received added certification in Geriatric Psychiatry and Administrative Medicine. Dr. Wernert is a Certified Physician Executive, and has been awarded Distinguished Fellowship in the American Psychiatric Association.
Dr. Wernert also has a strong history of accomplishment and high-level executive leadership at the state and national levels. He has dedicated his professional career towards improved clinical care, administrative innovations and applied research, working to move ideas and theories to work in the real world. He previously served as the Medical Director of Medical Management at Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis. Dr. Wernert also has consulted as the Medical Director for Behavioral Health Integration for the Franciscan Alliance system in Indiana. He previously served as the Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs for MDwise, Inc, a 300,000 member Medicaid Managed care plan covering the state of Indiana. In addition to his administrative duties, Dr. Wernert continues his clinical work performing Integrative Medicine consultations and Medical Management services for various facilities in central Indiana via Tele-Health applications.
Dr. Wernert has served in various leadership roles in medical professional organizations, including the AMA. John served as the past Chairman of the Drug Utilization Review Board for the Indiana Medicaid program. Dr. Wernert has also served on the Indiana Medical Licensing Board and various state committees related to mental health and Medicaid services in Indiana. He remains active with the American Psychiatric Association as a member of the AMA Delegation, consultant to the Budget and Finance Committee and the Board of the national Political Action Committee. John is a past President of the Indianapolis Medical Society and is the Past Speaker of the House of Delegates at Indiana State Medical Association (ISMA). He was elected President of the ISMA prior to stepping down to take the cabinet post with FSSA.
Dr. Wernert has served on various charitable boards including the Healthy Hoosiers Foundation, Catholic Social Services and the Board of Overseers for the St. Meinrad School of Theology. John has also served his alma maters on the Alumni Boards of Bellarmine University and the University of Louisville. Dr. Wernert continues to be a consultant for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, and is involved in men’s ministry programs. Dr. Wernert lives in Eastwood Kentucky (near Louisville) with his wife Erin, and is the proud father of six amazing children (ages 5 - 31 years). He enjoys outdoor cooking, black powder shooting and is an avid Civil War re-enactor and historian.
