Cogent HMG announced today the addition of veteran health care executive Dr. John Little Jr. as chief payor development officer.

Previously, Little served as vice president of health care services and chief medical officer for BlueCross and BlueShield of South Carolina.

At Cogent, Little will be responsible for developing the company’s payor partnerships nationwide, to enhance the revenue and profitability for its hospital clients. He will also represent Cogent HMG on hospital joint operating committees and assist leadership in developing and executing innovative relationships to move Cogent into the post acute and integrated health industries.

“We are excited to start the year with such a strong addition to our leadership team,” said CEO John Donahue. “As we move in to the integrated health arena, John’s extensive performance track record, experience and strategic vision will be vital to our organization’s future success.”

Little earned his doctoral degree in medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina and his master’s degree in business administration from Winthrop University. He earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Clemson University.

Brentwood-based Cogent provides hospitalist and intensivist services for hospitals and post-acute care facilities.