Tom Halloran ’87, CPA and Tom Wiffler ’92 will serve as mentors and host in-person residency weekends for new online degree program geared toward working professionals

By Diana Costello

Dec. 2, 2025: Iona University is proud to announce Tom Halloran ’87, CPA, former CEO of Fidelis Care New York, and Tom Wiffler ’92, CEO of One Pass and former CEO of UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits, as the inaugural executives-in-residence for its new Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership & Innovation degree program.

As distinguished alumni with extensive C-suite experience, Halloran and Wiffler will support the development and implementation of curriculum, offer guidance to students through mentorship and virtual office hours, and host in-person residency weekends alongside other health care industry leaders.

The new degree – designed in a flexible, online format for working professionals – is a collaboration between the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, the LaPenta School of Business and the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

Bringing together expertise in health care, business, artificial intelligence and innovation, this 30-credit interdisciplinary program is designed for working professionals looking to advance their careers. In addition to the flexible online coursework, the program also features in-person weekend residencies and an experiential curriculum rooted in real-world challenges. Students will further gain practical insight through guest lectures, case studies, and engagement with leading health care organizations.

The announcement reflects Iona’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and industry relevance, preparing graduates to drive meaningful impact in a rapidly evolving health care landscape. Positions in the field of medical and health services management are expected to grow by 28 percent nationwide over the next 10 years, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, with growth as high as 42 percent or greater in some regions.

Learn more or apply today via the Healthcare Leadership & Innovation program page. For more information, you may also contact Suzana Pavisic, director of graduate admissions for the LaPenta School of Business and the Hynes Institute, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (914) 633-2451.

MEET THE EXECUTIVES-IN-RESIDENCE

Tom Halloran ’87, CPA

Halloran is a results-oriented executive with nearly 20 years of C-suite experience, including six years as CEO of Fidelis Care New York, a subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a Fortune 25 Company.  His professional career has been grounded in his background as a CPA and complemented by 15 years of turnaround experience as an Andersen Partner and founding managing director at Huron Consulting Group.

As CEO, Halloran guided Fidelis through a rapidly evolving health care landscape, including the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Over his six-year tenure, the plan grew to serve 2.4 million members; strengthened relationships with regulators; and advanced quality initiatives in support of its mission. 

As CFO at Fidelis, Halloran led the financial aspects of a two-year sale process and advised the Board of Directors, which culminated in a multi-billion-dollar transaction with Centene in 2018. 

Halloran is retiring from Fidelis and looks forward to sharing his leadership experiences across the health care industry to enhance customer experience through innovation to advance growth and quality.

“Health care leaders are being challenged in today's environment to drive innovation to improve long-term quality of care while reducing administrative burden and enhancing customer engagement,” Halloran said. “I am excited to have a role in the MS in Healthcare Leadership & Innovation at Iona University, which will equip future health care professionals with the skills and knowledge to navigate and transform a rapidly evolving and complex health care landscape.  I believe this program will develop leaders through data-driven decision-making to translate research into practice, shape health policies and drive systemic innovation that enhances patient outcomes and public health. Iona's values of service, community and leadership will prepare students to excel in health care systems and lead with compassion, ethical responsibility and commitment to social justice.”

Tom Wiffler ’92

Wiffler is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in finance, operations, business development and strategic relationship management. Wiffler is the CEO of One Pass and former CEO of UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits, a national ancillary benefits company, serving more than 53 million members in commercial and government programs.

Wiffler joined UnitedHealthcare in 1999 and has held various leadership positions, including CEO of UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans (TRICARE) and CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Illinois. Early in his career, he worked in banking and insurance in New York City.

Wiffler’s professional career began as a logistics officer and company commander in the United States Marine Corps. He currently serves on the Executive Advisory Council of the LaPenta Business School at Iona University. He earned an MBA from the University of Notre Dame and a BBA in finance from Iona University. He is a former major in the U.S. Marine Corps.

“Health care leaders must continue to actively engage across the broad and complex U.S. health care ecosystem to help people become and stay healthy. It is imperative to foster innovation, deliver simplicity, and address significant challenges with courage and determination,” Wiffler said. “The MS in Healthcare Leadership & Innovation at Iona University empowers professionals to lead with the vision and integrity needed to reimagine care delivery and build resilient, patient-centered systems and organizations. I am honored to be part of this transformative program and help develop the next generation of health care leaders who will make a lasting impact.”