In 1994, Ruth Benton co-founded New West (a primary care group practice) and is the chief business officer responsible to the board of directors. The company has grown to $38 million in revenue, has 60 physicians and mid-level providers and 250 employees at 14 locations in the Denver Metro Area.

For four years prior to starting New West, Ruth was vice president for operations and managed care with HealthOne where she managed the contracts for five IPAs and four hospitals. In addition, she was a hospital administrator for Swedish Medical Center in charge of the women’s program, surgery services, laboratory services, medical records, admissions, emergency room and risk management. 

From 1987-90, Ruth served as vice president for administration for Health Care United. In that position, she managed the operations of an HMO placed under supervision of the insurance commissioner and stabilized the financial performance and operations and managed the insolvency for the state attorney general’s office.

In addition, Ruth was vice president of finance and operations for and one of the founders of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s HMO. She held various management positions in Blue Cross and Blue Shield from 1971-87.

Ruth has an MBA from Colorado State University and is the recipient of several awards, including Distinguished Alumni and Entrepreneur in Residence from the CSU College of Business, “Most Influential Health Care Leaders in Colorado” from the Denver Business Journal for the last five years, as well as the journal’s Champions in Health Care Award—TOP Health Care Manager, in 2008.