Blackbird Health Hires New Chief Medical Officer
Blackbird Health, a provider of pediatric and adolescent behavioral health services, has appointed Dr. Michael Tang as its new Chief Medical Officer, effective March 2. The hire is intended to help advance the company's "whole-child" clinical model as it continues its regional expansion.
Dr. Michael Tang's previous role as VP of Integrated Care at Cityblock Health directly aligns with Blackbird's comprehensive model. At Cityblock, he was responsible for clinical design and population health for Medicaid and dually eligible beneficiaries, experience that is crucial as Blackbird continues to partner with insurance carriers for in-network access. Tang is a quadruple board-certified adult psychiatrist, child psychiatrist, addiction medicine physician, and pediatrician. His extensive background includes serving as Chief Behavioral Health Officer at The Dimock Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center, and as a lecturer at Harvard Medical School. Blackbird Health's "whole-child" approach seeks to understand the interplay between a child's brain, body, and behavior to treat root causes rather than just symptoms. This involves a 90-minute initial assessment covering psychological, behavioral, and physical factors to create a precise treatment plan that can include therapy, medication management, and support for conditions like ADHD and autism. The company has been actively expanding its physical footprint to complement its virtual services, opening new clinics in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and most recently, New Jersey. This hybrid model of "light local clinics" combined with virtual care is a core part of their strategy to build community density and improve access. This expansion is fueled by a $17 million Series A funding round announced in February 2024, bringing their total raised funds to nearly $23 million. The investment is targeted at building more technology, expanding service offerings, and scaling their clinical model to new markets by partnering with payers. The demand for these services is set against a backdrop of a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health, with long wait times for specialized care being a significant barrier for families. Blackbird aims to allow most families to see a clinician within days, a significant reduction from the national average.
