Dr. Kiran C. Patel and Dr. Pallavi Patel are the founders of OCOM. Hailing from India, Pallavi Patel and Kiran Patel, from Zambia, crossed paths during their medical studies in Ahmedabad, India. Their academic journeys led them to Columbia University in New York, where Dr. Kiran Patel specialized in Cardiology, while Dr. Pallavi Patel focused on Pediatrics. Building on their expertise, the couple ventured into private cardiology practice in the Tampa Bay area, where Dr. Kiran Patel not only garnered acclaim as a physician but also envisioned a distinctive future for healthcare.

Rather than resisting the shift towards managed healthcare, Dr. Kiran Patel, a proponent of "control your own destiny," set out to create solutions aligning with the physician's perspective. In 1982, the Patels initiated a physicians' practice ownership and Management Company, rapidly expanding to 14 practices encompassing Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Cardiology, catering to thousands of patients in Hillsborough County.

Rather than bemoaning the rise of HMOs, Dr. Patel took charge of his fate by establishing a physician-owned, physician-operated health plan – WellCare! Under his guidance, WellCare evolved into Florida's largest Medicaid HMO, serving over 200,000 members. Pioneering advancements in managed healthcare, Dr. Kiran Patel acquired and revitalized a struggling New York/Connecticut HMO in 1999, merging it with WellCare to form WellCare Management Group. By then, WellCare boasted revenues surpassing $1 billion, a membership exceeding 400,000, and a workforce of over 1,200.

In 2003, the Patels divested the majority of their business interest, redirecting their focus to various philanthropic initiatives. Renowned for their generosity, Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel have actively contributed to diverse programs in health, education, arts, and culture, both locally and globally. Their commitment to making a positive impact has solidified their reputation as philanthropists dedicated to uplifting communities.