AXA Health Names Dr. Melissa Castro as Chief Medical Advisor

Insurance giant AXA has appointed Dr. Melissa Castro as the Chief Medical Advisor of its AXA Health International division.

The appointment takes effect immediately and fits into AXA Health International's commitment to pairing clinical excellence with innovation and ensuring customers worldwide can access high-quality healthcare.

AXA Health International is the group’s specialist business serving the international health and life insurance market.

Melissa will collaborate closely with colleagues across the organisation and with global healthcare partners, offering specialist input on complex medical cases, contributing to the development of healthcare solutions, reinforcing clinical governance, and helping to drive better health outcomes for customers.

Strengthen clinical foundations

Sebastian Judez, Global Head of Proposition and Medical at AXA Health International, says Melissa’s appointment will play an important role in strengthening AXA Health International’s clinical capabilities and supporting the business’s wider international growth ambitions.

Commenting on the appointment, Sebastian says: “Melissa's appointment is an important addition to our leadership team. Her combination of clinical expertise, operational leadership and international experience makes her exceptionally well placed to strengthen the clinical foundations of our international health proposition.

“Health is central to AXA's long-term strategy, and Melissa's appointment reflects our continued investment in the expertise, innovation and clinical excellence that underpin our international health proposition. Her leadership will help us continue providing customers with access to premium international healthcare and support our ambition to become the leading global health and employee benefits specialist.”

Allianz experience

Prior to joining AXA Health International, Melissa spent almost nine years at Allianz Partners, one of the world’s largest insurance firms.

Based in Allianz’s offices in Canada, Mexico and the UK, Melissa served as Chief Medical Officer across several regions, before taking on the role of Deputy Global Medical Director in London.

Throughout her time at Allianz, she collaborated with multidisciplinary teams across the business, including legal, compliance and logistics departments, to optimise medical case management, strengthen quality standards and improve customer outcomes. 

“I'm delighted to be joining AXA Health International at such an exciting time. As healthcare continues to evolve, there is a real opportunity to combine strong clinical leadership with innovation to deliver even better outcomes for customers around the world,” comments Melissa on her appointment.

“I look forward to working with colleagues across the business and our healthcare partners to continue developing a proposition that is clinically robust, customer-focused and ready to meet the changing needs of internationally mobile customers.” 

Health insurance on the rise

Melissa’s appointment comes as demand for international private medical insurance grows, driven by globally mobile employees, expatriates and multinational employers seeking high-quality, portable healthcare cover.

AXA Group’s Life & Health division earnings rose 7% year-on-year in its 2025 full-year results, with Health sector earnings growing by an impressive 17%.

Rising treatment costs, an ageing global workforce and growing awareness of mental and preventative health are also prompting insurers to evolve their offering, from digital health platforms to more personalised care pathways.