John Michael Prince

John Michael Prince, an innovative business leader who transformed the healthcare industry, cherished his family above all else.

John, 59, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away on Sunday, June 28, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his family. Raised in Kenilworth, Illinois, John was a competitive racquet sports player, an avid sailor, a gifted pianist, and an Eagle Scout. After graduating from New Trier High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in economics and mathematics from Northwestern University in 1989. He continued his studies at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, where he completed his MBA in 1991 and was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma. Subsequently, he became a licensed CPA.

A man of great intellect and disciplined purpose, he began his career in Arthur Andersen’s healthcare consulting practice, where he became a partner. He then joined JPMorgan Chase as SVP and Head of Healthcare Business Development Strategy, engineering a successful turnaround that delivered annual double-digit revenue growth after years of decline.

In 2005, John embarked on a defining chapter as an executive at UnitedHealth Group. He played a key role in starting Optum, establishing the strategic and financial foundation for what would become a $220B+ business. As CEO of OptumRx from 2017-2021, he grew the company into a leading provider of pharmacy care services, increasing revenue by more than $30B and managing solutions programs for clients and 65M+ members. From 2021-2023, he served as President and COO of Optum, overseeing the nation’s largest employer of physicians and serving more than 103M unique customers. Renowned for his innovation in healthcare, he modernized Optum’s digital, cloud, and technology platforms, as well as its go-to-market strategy and service model. John’s commitment to deliver a better healthcare experience defined his life’s work.

More recently, John transitioned to healthcare private equity, serving as an Operating Partner at Advent International and an advisor to other firms. He also served on Claritev’s Board of Directors. A mentor to many, he valued sharing his time, wisdom, and expertise.

Throughout his career, John served on numerous corporate and civic boards, including the Healthcare at Kellogg Advisory Council, Truepill, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the Executives’ Club of Chicago.

Above all, John was a devoted family man. His greatest pride and joy were his sons, Jack and James Prince, and his beloved wife of 27 years, Carol Prince (née Hartigan). A loving husband, father, brother, and uncle, John poured his whole heart into his family. He lived fearlessly, selflessly, and virtuously, and loved unconditionally. His wit and zest for life were contagious. Most importantly, he led by example. His unwavering devotion to family, his determination to improve people’s lives, and his commitment to live each day to the fullest are the cornerstones of who John was.

When with family and friends, John could often be found competing in the sports he loved at John’s Island Club, Redstick Golf Club, The Minikahda Club, and the University Club of Chicago. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered as a man who defied the odds.

John is also survived by his mother, Eleanor Prince (née Polkoff); his siblings, Thomas A. Prince and Adrienne Prince (Heather); and beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas R. Prince, a Northwestern University professor who pioneered the integration of computers with healthcare.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 13, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 5071 Eden Ave., Edina, Minnesota. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Following the Mass, the celebration of John’s life will continue with a luncheon at The Minikahda Club, 3025 Excelsior Blvd, Minneapolis, Minnesota.