New Delhi: Avalere Health, a strategic partner in healthcare, has appointed Amar Urhekar as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Urhekar, who joined Avalere Health as Chief Operations Officer (COO) in 2023, will now take charge of the organization’s overall leadership, driving its core capabilities across Advisory, Medical, and Marketing services.
With over 27 years of global experience, Amar Urhekar is a pioneer in healthcare communications, having played a pivotal role in shaping the industry in India and other emerging markets.
Urhekar began his career at McCann Health India in 2000, introducing a visionary framework to elevate healthcare advertising in India to global standards. During his tenure, he expanded operations across the Asia Pacific, overcoming significant challenges, including the SARS outbreak and Japan’s 2011 natural disasters, to build award-winning networks. In the Americas, he transformed fragmented agencies into a cohesive powerhouse, positioning McCann Health as a globally awarded leader.
Before joining Avalere, Urhekar held leadership roles at Ashfield Health and Evoke, where he continued to innovate by integrating capabilities, building agile solutions, and creating impactful healthcare marketing strategies.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Amar Urhekar, CEO, Avalere Health, said, “Avalere Health is ready to achieve its true potential. I look forward to partnering with our teams to further create an inspiring company that will amplify the patient voice like never before.”
Deborah Keller, Chairperson of Avalere Health, welcomed Urhekar’s appointment, stating, “I am very pleased to appoint Amar Urhekar as our next CEO. Amar has a passion for purpose-driven organisations that can truly make a difference. He inspires colleagues and clients alike, and his extraordinary breadth of health industry knowledge ensures that our business is in the very best of hands moving forward.”
Urhekar succeeds Jon Koch, who served as Avalere Health’s CEO for the past three and a half years. Koch will remain a strategic advisor to the company’s Board until the end of March 2025, ensuring a seamless transition.
