Edmund L. "Ned" Lafer, MD, FACHE, FACPE, is medical director at Health Partners Plans, Philadelphia.

He also serves on the Board of Governors of the American College of Healthcare Executives, an international professional society of more than 48,000 healthcare executives who lead hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations. With comprehensive programs in credentialing, education, career counseling, publications and research, ACHE works toward its vision of being the preeminent professional society for leaders dedicated to improving health.

Board certified in healthcare management as an ACHE Fellow, Dr. Lafer served on the National- ACHE Professional Development Task Force, and is past president of the ACHE chapter Healthcare Leadership Network of the Delaware Valley, having served from 2013 to 2015. He also earned an ACHE Service Award.

Dr. Lafer has been with Health Partners Plans since 2013. Prior to that, he served as medical director of utilization review and quality at Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, from 2007 to 2013. He was senior medical director at Executive Health Resources, Newtown Square, Pa., from 2005 to 2007, and medical director from 2004 to 2005. From 2001 to 2003, he served as assistant medical director at Temple Physicians Incorporated and served in various roles, including medical director, at Internal Medicine at Jeanes Hospital (part of the TPI organization), both in Philadelphia. Prior to that, he served as medical director, clinical internist and assistant professor of medicine at Harbison Avenue Medical Center from 1992 to 2001 and as medical director, attending physician and private practice physician at Episcopal Hospital, Philadelphia, from 1990 to 1992.

In addition to his service to ACHE, Dr. Lafer was an adjunct professor of medicine at Temple University Hospital and served on several committees, including as chairman of the utilization and review committee and co-chairman of the pulmonary core measures committee. He also was a senior fellow at the Jefferson School of Population Health, Philadelphia.

He also is a fellow of the American College of Physician Executives and earned a Six Sigma Black Belt from Breakthrough Management Group.

Dr. Lafer earned a medical degree from Sackler School of Medicine/Tel Aviv (Israel) University, an MBA from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Haverford College, both in Philadelphia. In addition, he is a trained mediator of the American Arbitration Association.