Highmark Health announced Wednesday that longtime Reed Smith partner Carolyn Duronio has been named general counsel.

Duronio will begin her role as general counsel Jan. 6. She will oversee a staff of approximately 110 employees. She said in an interview Thursday that she began working with Pittsburgh-based Highmark Health in 1986 as outside counsel and this opportunity seemed to be a good fit.

"I've always loved the organization. There is so much going on in health care right now, and Highmark Health is going to be right in the middle of it," Duronio said.