Yesterday, Nashville-based Healthways announced the hiring of Dr. William R. "Bill" Gold. Gold, who until recently was cheif medical officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, will serve as the company's senior vice president for strategic alliances.

Fittingly, Gold comes to the disease management company as a result of one such strategic alliance. During his tenure with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Gold played a large role in a 10-year partnership between Blue Cross Blue Shield and Healthways which led to the development of the BluePrint for Health, a care support program.