Blue Cross Blue Shield NC CEO Resigns Under Pressure From Board

RALEIGH – Chief Executive of health insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC Patrick Conway resigned Wednesday night after footage and police reports emerged of a June drunk driving accident with his kids in the car. The resignation is effective immediately and comes one day after N.C. Insurance commissioner Mike Causey called for him to step down.

Earlier this week cell phone video came out of Conway swerving all over the Randolph County road for miles, eventually hitting a tractor-trailer. His two daughters, both under the age of 10 were in the car, resulting in child abuse charges. During the arrest Conway apparently berated the officers for not knowing who he was, at one point threatening to call Governor Cooper and get the arresting officers “in trouble.”

From WRAL:

“In a statement, Conway said he was “ashamed, embarrassed and sorry” about the incident.

He said he told the company’s board members about the arrest and completed 30 days of inpatient substance use treatment.

“However, I also understand that I must continue to work hard to earn back the trust I’ve lost based on my actions,” he said. […]”

Conway, who says he has been sober for some 90 days, also took to Twitter to ask that people not judge him for “one horrible day.”

I am a person of deep honesty and integrity. Anyone who knows me has witnessed that over the course of my life and career. I hope that I and anyone could be judged on the totality of their character and thousands of great days instead of one horrible day.

— Patrick Conway (@PatrickConwayMD) September 26, 2019

From the looks of it, those close to Conway seem to have a great deal of respect for him. Yet, despite the resignation and acknowledgement of his actions, he has launched right into playing victim, seemingly indignant that a very public, lawless, and life-threatening action by a very public figure would be focused on by the media.

Unfortunately, I have been “tried and convicted” in the media. Including much information that I had never seen before Tuesday (2 days ago). Some true, some not true, and some misinformation. I was trying to follow the standard legal process related to the charges

— Patrick Conway (@PatrickConwayMD) September 26, 2019

Most importantly, I acknowledged a disorder and serious problem with alcohol, voluntarily sought treatment, & have been sober for over 90 days & in the best mental health of my life. Anyone seeking substance use treatment & recovery should be celebrated. Not judged and punished.

— Patrick Conway (@PatrickConwayMD) September 26, 2019

Most importantly his 7 and 9 year old daughters — or anyone else on that road — weren’t killed as a result of his choices and actions, don’t you think?

The public scrutiny comes with the job of CEO of a huge public company. Of course, family and friends are right to be supportive, but after an event like this becomes public, you don’t get “celebrated” for seeking treatment. It’s expected of you. Especially when that treatment is going to be demanded of you by the courts considering the severity of the crime, and completing it before sentencing is likely advantageous legally.

“Not judged and punished”? Treatment and recovery are wonderful and encouraged, but judging and punishment is exactly what should be happening in any situation like this. That’s how the process works, and when you’re a public figure, it works out publicly.

The Twitter stream just seems to reinforce the unbecoming “Do you know who I am?!” attitude reflected in the police report, more indignant than remorseful.