BENTONVILLE, Ark.—Walmart has named Dr. Cheryl Pegus as executive vice president, health and wellness. In this role, Dr. Pegus will “further develop Walmart’s bold health care vision, leading health and wellness across the Walmart enterprise,” the retailer said in a recent announcement. Dr. Pegus will report to Walmart U.S. chief executive officer John Furner, and her first day with Walmart will be Dec. 21. She succeeds Sean Slovenski, who led the health and wellness business as senior vice president for two years before departing in August. Lori Flees has since served as interim senior vice president as well as chief operating officer for health and wellness. Flees will stay on in the chief operating officer role.

“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Pegus to the Walmart family to advance our efforts to continue exploring healthcare solutions for customers and associates, and helping Americans live better – and healthier,” Furner said in the announcement. “She is an exceptional leader who will help us deliver care of the highest quality that people can receive at the right time, regardless of insurance coverage. This has never been more important as it is now, while the pandemic continues to put a strain on our health care system.”

Dr. Pegus joins Walmart from her most recent role as Cambia Health Solution’s president of consumer health solutions and chief medical officer, where she was responsible for clinical and consumer strategy to increase access to affordable, equitable care. She directed platform consumer solutions including Journi, clinical services, pharmacy, provider and medical management activities.

The Walmart Health & Wellness group consists of more than 4,700 pharmacies, more than 3,400 Vision Centers (which includes about 2,900 company-owned Walmart Vision Centers and 500 optical departments at Sam’s Clubs), Walmart Health centers, digital health capabilities and Walmart Insurance Services LLC. The company’s goal is to transform the cost and convenience of essential health care and improve the well being of all communities we serve.

“I am humbled to be joining the Walmart organization and for the opportunity to partner internally and externally to build upon existing initiatives for accessible and affordable care for associates and the communities we serve,” Dr. Pegus said.

After working in private practice for several years as a cardiologist, Dr. Pegus joined Pfizer where she focused on the development of clinical protocols and early disease management programs. She also served at Aetna, where her work supported a focus on wellness, women's health, health equity initiatives and predictive analytics. Dr. Pegus served as the first chief medical officer at Walgreens.