How to Navigate 2015 Speakers
Click on the arrows for speaker bios.
Jerome Adams, State Health Commissioner, Indiana State Department of Health
Dr. Adams was appointed by Governor Mike Pence as the Indiana State Health Commissioner on October 22, 2014.
Dr. Adams currently serves as Assistant Professor of Clinical Anesthesia at Indiana University School of Medicine and as a staff anesthesiologist at Eskenazi Health, where he is Chair of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
He has served in the leadership of several professional organizations, including the Indiana State Medical Association, Indiana Society of Anesthesiologists, and the American Medical Association, and currently serves as Chair of the Professional Diversity Committee for the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
He earned a BS in Biochemistry and a BA in Biopsychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He has been a researcher at medical schools in both the Netherlands and Zimbabwe, and has worked under Nobel Prize winner Dr. Tom Cech. He earned his Medical Doctorate at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and his Masters of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Adams is married and has three children, and resides in Fishers, Indiana.
Gregory Allen Director NYS Department of Health, Office of Health Insurance Programs, Division of Program Development & Mgt
As Director of the Division of Program Development and Management, Greg is responsible for Medicaid services planning and policy in addition to development of new and emerging program areas. Greg is responsible for managing policy and payment support for all NYS Medicaid’s inpatient, clinic, practitioner and pharmacy services as well as payment policy for mental health, chemical dependence and developmental disabilities services. Greg and his team have recently been engaged in the NYS Medicaid Redesign process including the statewide roll out of the health home care management program for high need, high cost populations. Greg also has lead responsibility for managing the state’s recently approved $8B Medicaid Waiver including its centerpiece the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program.Beginning his career as a front line service professional in the chemical dependence field, Greg has over 20 years of government operations and management experience. Working at both the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and more recently at the State Department of Health, most of Greg’s work has focused on the nexus between program development and payment with a particular focus on incubating new programs and policy.
Lowell Arye Deputy Commissioner New Jersey Department of Human Services
Lowell Arye has worked in state and federal government, academia, philanthropy and the non-profit sector for more than 30 years. Lowell’s nationally recognized work focuses on the nexus between income security, health and long term services and supports for seniors and people with disabilities.Lowell is currently Deputy Commissioner at the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS). In this capacity, Lowell is responsible for three divisions-Family Development, Disability Services and Aging Services. Prior to his current appointment in February 2012, Lowell served as Policy Advisor on Human Services, Children and Families for Governor Christie.Before joining state government, he served as the Executive Director of a New Jersey trade and advocacy organization for people with complex physical and neurological developmental disabilities. Prior to this, Lowell was employed with the US House of Representatives Select Committee on Aging , in the Office of the Secretary at the US Department of Health and Human Services, at the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania.Lowell is nationally recognized for his work in aging and disability, including his election to the National Academy of Social Insurance. He has spoken at national and regional conferences on aging and disabilities and served as faculty at several universities and as a consultant to state and city departments of health and human services and to health care providers.Lowell holds a Masters in Science of Social Administration with a specialization in gerontology from Case Western Reserve University, Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences in Cleveland, Ohio and a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Sociology from Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio.
Christopher Atchison Associate Dean for Public Health Practice University of Iowa, College of Public Health
Christopher G. Atchison is the Director of the State Hygienic Laboratory, Associate Dean for Public Health Practice and Clinical Professor in Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health at the University of Iowa.Prior to joining the University in 1999, Mr. Atchison served for eight years as Director of the Iowa Department of Public Health.At the national level, Mr. Atchison served as President of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and was chair of the Joint Council of Official Health Agencies. In 1998 he received ASTHO’s Arthur T. McCormack Award for his contributions to public health practice.
Carrie Banahan Executive Director Kentucky Office of Health Benefit and Information Exchange
Carrie Banahan is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Office of the Health Benefit and Information exchange and is responsible for the implementation and operations of the Exchange. Carrie is a graduate from the University of Louisville and has over 30 years experience in State Government. From 2008-2012, she was the Executive Director of the Office of Health Policy and was responsible for the administration of the Certificate of Need program and Health Planning and development for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. During that time, Carrie also served as the implementation Director for Medicaid Managed Care in which 540,000 individuals was transitioned from a fee-for-service delivery system to managed care.From 2006 to 2008, Ms. Banahan served as Deputy Commissioner for the Department for Medicaid Services. While at Medicaid, Carrie was instrumental in overseeing the implementation of Kentucky Health Choices and the new MMIS, as well as assisting with the development of new waiver programs.From 1998 until 2006, she was employed by the Department of Insurance and worked in the Health Division as a Branch Manager, Division Director and also served as Deputy Commissioner. While at Insurance, Ms. Banahan was responsible for overseeing and implementing HIPAA insurance requirements, prompt pay laws for insurers, an internal and external review process for consumers, and a state high risk pool for individuals who were unable or had difficulty obtaining health insurance.From 1986 to 1998, Carrie was employed by the Department for Medicaid Services and served in various capacities including policy development, drafting of Medicaid regulations and State Plan amendments and assisted with implementation of a new MMIS, and the Medicaid Partnership Program.
Anne Barry, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services
Anne M. Barry serves as assistant commissioner for Community and Partner Relations at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), a post she has held since July 2015. She oversees Community Relations, County Relations, the Office of Indian Policy, and the Office for Equity, Performance and Development, and serves as a member of the department’s Senior Management Team.Prior to her current position, Barry served as deputy commissioner for Direct Care and Treatment. In addition to several operational and stakeholder relations areas, she oversaw the Minnesota Sex Offender Program, which provides inpatient services and treatment to people who are committed by the court as a sexual psychopathic personality or a sexually dangerous person; and State Operated Services, which provides residential and treatment programs serving people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, chemical dependency and traumatic brain injury as well as people who pose a risk to public safety. She was appointed deputy commissioner by Commissioner Lucinda Jesson in January 2011.She also served DHS as chief compliance officer (CCO) from October 2005 to January 2011. As CCO, she had responsibility for legal and compliance activities throughout the agency.Barry served as deputy commissioner of Finance (now Minnesota Management & Budget) in Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s administration after four years in the same position for Gov. Jesse Ventura’s administration. As deputy commissioner of Finance, Barry was responsible for overall agency leadership and management in the areas of accounting, budget, cash and debt management, economic forecasting and financial information systems.Prior to her appointment at Finance, Barry was appointed by Gov. Arne Carlson as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) in June 1995. At MDH, Barry was responsible for leading efforts in the development and implementation of health policy for the state as well as preventing and controlling disease, promoting healthier behavior choices, controlling environmental health hazards, protecting the health of mothers and children and regulating health care providers. Barry also served as deputy commissioner of Health from 1992 until her appointment as commissioner of Health.Barry also serves as adjunct faculty at the School of Public Health in the Academic Health Center at the University of Minnesota. She provides advice, guidance, health-related research, and teaches two courses: Public Health Law and Planning and Budgeting for Public Health.
Barry earned her juris doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law and her master’s of public health administration degree from the University of Minnesota. She also holds a bachelor of arts degree in occupational therapy from the College of St. Catherine (now St. Catherine University).
Susan Birch Executive Director Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
Nearly 30 years of nursing care and progressive health care administration primarily in rural and frontier regions of Colorado. Extensive community, regional and national involvement with health care program development in community health services including public health, primary care, community health, home health, hospice care and aging services and facilities. Expertise in leadership, management, strategic collaboratives, and resource development related to health care. Extensive knowledge of program design and implementation, staff allocation/development, assessment of community and state-wide health needs, human services resource allocation and legislative affairs. Active in and leads health policy development and implementation of national health care reform at the state level.
Timothy Brown Professor Berkeley Center for Health Technology, School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley
Timothy Brown is a health economist and the Associate Director for Research at the Berkeley Center for Health Technology in the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. He is also on faculty in the Department of Health Policy & Management, also in the School of Public Health. Dr. Brown’s current research areas are reference-based benefits and the valuation of chronic pain.
Denise Chuckovich Deputy Director Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Denise Chuckovich has been the Deputy Director at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare since 2012. In her role as deputy she oversees the Divisions of Behavioral Health, Medicaid, and Public Health.
Denise has over 30 years of experience in healthcare service delivery, and health policy development in both the public and private sectors. She is presently focused on developing policy to improve healthcare access, services and quality in Idaho.
Denise completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley. She has a Masters degree from Idaho State University, Pocatello, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Health from the University of Washington in Seattle.
Chris Collins, Director, Office of Rural Health and Community Care, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Chris has a MSW from Southern Illinois University and serves as the Director for the North Carolina Office of Rural Health and Community Care (ORHCC). The mission of ORHCC is to assist underserved communities and populations to develop innovative strategies for improving access, quality, and cost-effectiveness of health care. ORHCC serves as North Carolina’s State Office of Rural Health and the Primary Care Office which administer the following programs: designation of health professional shortage areas, provider recruitment and loan repayment, safety net primary care infrastructure development, integration of behavioral, oral and physical health, migrant health programs, telepsychiatry, prescription assistance, and community network development.Chris oversees a budget of approximately $29 million in federal, state, and philanthropic resources, and provides funding and in-depth technical assistance to North Carolina’s safety net system. ORHCC administers over 300 contracts designed to expand access to high quality health care for rural and underserved populations allowing ORHCC to return over 90% of its budget directly to NC communities.Chris previously served a joint appointment within DHHS as an Assistant Director for the Division of Medical Assistance, overseeing the managed care program. Prior to working for the Department of Health and Human Services, she was the founding Executive Director of the Community Care Network serving Western North Carolina. She serves on state and federal task forces pertaining to primary care, safety net, rural health and models of integrated care.
Paolo del Vecchio, Director SAMHSA
Paolo del Vecchio, MSW, is the Director of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). SAMHSA is the lead Federal agency designed to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
In this role, Mr. del Vecchio provides executive leadership for Federal efforts to improve the nation’s mental health service systems. This includes management of the federal/state mental health block grant program and directing a range of programs and activities that address topics such as suicide prevention, children’s mental health, homelessness, disaster mental health, HIV/AIDS, and others.
Previously, Mr. del Vecchio was the CMHS Associate Director for Consumer Affairs where he directed SAMHSA’s precedent-setting programs and activities that advanced consumer participation and education, a recovery orientation for the mental health system, peer support and the adoption of certified peer specialists, wellness and primary care integration, understanding of trauma histories and the social determinants of health and mental health, and led programs to reduce discrimination and prejudice associated with mental illnesses.
Prior to joining SAMHSA, Paolo worked for the Philadelphia Office of Mental Health in the areas of policy formulation and the planning of a comprehensive system of community-based mental health services addressing homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and many other issues.
A self-identified mental health consumer, trauma survivor, and person in recovery from addictions, Paolo has been involved for over 40 years in behavioral health as a consumer, family member, provider, advocate, and policy maker. He graduated summa cum laude with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Temple University, has published widely, and is a highly sought after national leader and speaker. Paolo has been a leader in many Federal efforts including the Federal Advisory Planning Board for the Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health, the HHS Multiple Chronic Conditions Initiative, the HHS Living Community Initiative and numerous others.
Edward Ehlinger Commissioner Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Edward Ehlinger, MD, MSPH, to serve as Minnesota Commissioner of Health in Jan. 2011. Ehlinger [el-in-gur] is responsible for directing the work of the Minnesota Department of Health. MDH is the state’s lead public health agency, responsible for protecting, maintaining and improving the health of all Minnesotans. The department has approximately 1,400 employees in the Twin Cities area and seven offices in Greater Minnesota. Prior to being appointed commissioner, Ehlinger served as director and chief health officer for Boynton Health Service at the University of Minnesota, from 1995 – 2011. He has also served as an adjunct professor in the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health at the U of M School of Public Health. From 1980 to 1995, Ehlinger served as director of Personal Health Services for the Minneapolis Health Department.
Samantha Ferencik Program Analyst Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Division of Health Care Finance
Samantha Ferencik is a Program Analyst at Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Division of Health Care Finance. She received her BA and MA from Washburn University and completed her doctoral coursework at Binghamton University in New York State. After teaching at the collegiate level, Samantha relocated to Topeka to be near to family, where she began her career with KDHE. Samantha’s notable projects and initiatives at KDHE include the Health Homes initiative and the Delivery System Reform Incentive Program (DSRIP).
Joe Flores Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources Office of Governor Terence R. McAuliffe
Joe became Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources for Governor Terence R. McAuliffe in November 2014 where he provides counsel to the Governor and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources on policy and budget issues.
Joe was an analyst for the Senate Finance Committee in Virginia from 2002 through 2014, where he was responsible for the breadth of fiscal policy issues in health and human resources. As a non-partisan analyst, he was a resource to senators, agency officials, advocacy groups and the public on issues related to health care, social services, public health, behavioral health, children and adult services.Before coming to Virginia, he worked as a fiscal analyst for the Minnesota House of Representatives as well as the Texas Legislature. Joe began his career with the American Public Human Services Association.At present, Joe serves on the Executive Committee of the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) and is the Chair of NASHP’s Health Care Access and Financing Committee.
Susan Fox Associate Director Institute on Disability/UNH
Susan Fox, PhD, is the Associate Director of the Institute on Disability and Director of the Center on Aging and Community Living at UNH. She recently completed her doctorate work in Sociology, focusing on the experience of family caregivers of older adults. A key aspect of her work is the development of person-centered home and community based services for older adults and adults with disabilities to prevent unnecessary institutionalization and to support all citizens to live within their home communities. Prior to joining UNH, she served for five years as the State Director of the Division of Developmental Services where she led the state in expanding family support; implementing continuous quality improvement initiatives; enhancing services to persons with dual diagnoses, forensic issues, and acquired brain disorders; providing family support services to children with chronic health conditions statewide; developing in home support services for families; reducing the waiting list for services; developing and implementing a Medicaid Buy In Program and promoting self-determination. She also managed services in a community agency serving persons with mental illness and developmental disabilities for over ten years. Including her years working in special education, she has been active in regional and statewide initiatives involving older adults and persons with disabilities for over 35 years. She was recently appointed to the Governor’s Commission on Medicaid Care Management and serves on several community boards including the Office of Public Guardian where she serves as Board President. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Easter Seals NH Service Award, the Granite State Independent Living Community Partner Award, and the Community Resources for Justice Community Hero award.
Ann Garfinkle Associate Professor University of Montana-Missoula
Ann Garfinkle earned a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Special Education (University of Washington, 1999). Before arriving at The University of Montana (Missoula) where she serves as Associate Professor, she worked at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) and as an Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University. Since arriving in Montana, she has worked on projects focusing on young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other Developmental Disabilities. Most recently, she has worked to develop, implement, evaluate, provide technical assistance and professional development for Montana’s Children’s Autism Waiver (CAW); The CAW is a Medicaid waiver program that provides intensive services to young children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Recent outcome data suggest that approximately half of participants reach a best outcome. She has received recognition for this work by being named Montana’s Council for Exceptional Children’s Researcher of the Year as well as recognition from Governors Schweitzer and Bullock. Additionally, because of her knowledge of early childhood services in Montana and her experience as a reviewer, she assisted the Governor’s office in Montana’s Race to the Top — Early Learning Challenge application. Additionally, she is a frequent speaker at state and national events.
Paul Glassman Professor and Director of Community Oral Health University of the Pacific School of Dentistry
Dr. Paul Glassman is Professor of Dental Practice, Director of Community Oral Health, and Director of the Pacific Center for Special Care at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni, School of Dentistry in San Francisco. He is also Director of the California Statewide Task Force on Oral Health for People with Disabilities and Aging Californians. He has served on many national panels including the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Committee on Oral Health Access to Services which produced the IOM .report on Improving Access to Oral Health Care for Vulnerable and Underserved Populations and the Board of Directors of the DentaQuest Institute.
Al Gobeille Chair Green Mountain Care Board
As Chairman of the Green Mountain Care Board, Al Gobeille is tasked with directing the board’s charge of curbing health care cost growth and reforming the way health care is provided to Vermonters. In addition, he owns and operates Gobeille Hospitality, a Burlington based restaurant and hospitality business that includes four popular restaurants and catering businesses: Shanty on the Shore, Burlington Bay Market and Café, Breakwater Café and Grill, and Northern Lights Cruises. Gobeille Hospitality employs 230 people.
Mr. Gobeille served on the Town of Shelburne Select Board and has negotiated with the Town’s union employees on health insurance benefits. He was a board member of the Visiting Nurses Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties, and served on the State of Vermont’s Payment Reform Advisory Committee.
Mr. Gobeille is a graduate of Norwich University and has served as an officer in the United States Army. He lives in Shelburne.
Jim Graham Network Director Community Care of North Carolina
Jim Graham is the Executive Director for Northwest Community Care Network which is one of the 14 Community Care of North Carolina networks providing managed care services to the Medicaid population in a 7 county region in and around Winston-Salem, NC. The Network serves over 130,000 Medicaid patients through its physician network of over 200 primary care practices and pregnancy medical homes.
Jim has served as the Network Director for the past 10 years. Before coming to this position he has over 30 years of management experience in health care with most of that experience in hospital and physician practice management with most of that experience as the Chief Executive Officer. Other experience includes serving on various community agencies Board of Directors and many times as an officer. He has an honorable discharge from the US Army at the rank of Captain and served 7 years in the Medical Service Corp with Ranger and Airborne Schools to his credit. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Health Care Management from Georgia State University, Atlanta Georgia, and is an undergraduate of the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.
Brian Hepburn Executive Director NASMHPD
Dr. Hepburn is the Executive Director of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD). He started in that position on July 1, 2015. He previously was the Director of the Maryland Mental Hygiene Administration (MHA) from 2002 to 2014 and that position became the Director of the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) on July, 2014. He was the Clinical Director for MHA from 1996 to 2004. He was also the Director of Psychiatric Education and Training for MHA from 1987 to 1997. Dr. Hepburn received his M.D. degree in 1979 from the University of Michigan School of Medicine. He received Residency Training in Psychiatry at the University of Maryland from 1979 to 1983. He was a Full-Time Faculty Member at the University of Maryland from 1983 to 1988 and has been on the Volunteer faculty at the University of Maryland since 1988. He maintained a private practice from 1983 until 2004.
Gary Jessee Chief Deputy Director for Program Operations Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Gary Jessee was named Chief Deputy Director for Program Operations in the Medicaid/CHIP Division at the Health and Human Services Commission on December 3, 2012. In this role he is responsible for overseeing acute, dental and long-term services and supports delivered across the state through Managed Care Organizations. He previously served as an Assistant Commissioner for the Access and Intake Division at the Department of Aging and Disability Services where he was responsible for overseeing the functions of Area Agencies on Aging, Local Authorities, Community Living Assistance and Support Services, Community Services and Program Operations, Community Services Contracts, Guardianship Program and other specialized programs. Mr. Jessee has held other state positions during his nearly 20 years of service to the state of Texas and its citizens.
Mr. Jessee’s areas of expertise include program development, service delivery design and implementation, contract accountability and oversight, policy development, quantitative and qualitative research, and stakeholder coordination. Mr. Jessee has a bachelor’s degree in applied sociology with a special emphasis in gerontology and has completed graduate coursework in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in sociology, psychology, and occupational education at Texas State University.
Jessica Kasten Senior Research Leader Truven Health Analytics
Jessica Kasten, M.A., Truven Health Analytics, has led research and technical assistance projects related to publicly-funded long-term services and supports, Medicaid managed long- term services and supports (MLTSS) programs, integrated Medicare-Medicaid programs and Medicare-Medicaid data integration. Over the past eighteen years, she has worked on these issues in a variety of policy research and government settings, including: the State of Wisconsin; the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; and several private sector organizations. Ms. Kasten is lead author of a report How Have Long-Term Services and Supports Providers Fared in the Transition to Medicaid Managed Care? This is one of several reports on MLTSS developed under contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. Ms. Kasten has a B.A. in American Studies from Barnard College of Columbia University and an M.A. in Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Lisa Kirsch Chief Deputy Medicaid/CHIP Director for Policy and Health and Human Services Commission
Lisa Kirsch is the Chief Deputy Medicaid/CHIP Director for Policy and the Healthcare Transformation Waiver at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and also coordinates Medicaid cost containment initiatives. Lisa has performed Medicaid and CHIP policy work for HHSC since 2003.
Prior to joining HHSC, Lisa worked for a Texas home and community care services provider and the Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
Barry Kling, Administrator and Director of Environmental Health, Chelan-Douglas Health District, Washington State
Barry Kling, MSPH, is Administrator at Chelan-Douglas Health District, a rural public health department serving about 110,000 people. In addition to his local duties he has provided statewide leadership on the development and implementation of Foundational Public Health Services and on Washington State’s Public Health Activities and Services Inventory. He has served as coordinator of efforts in a four-county region to develop an Accountable Community of Health as part of the Healthier Washington health care reform initiative.
Carol Kress Vice President, Client Partnerships Beacon Health Options/Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership
Carol Kress, LICSW, is the Vice President of Client Partnerships and chief executive of the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP), a Beacon Health Options Company. Carol was Chief Operating Officer of MBHP for 10 years before assuming her senior leadership role of the company in May 2015. She joined MBHP in 1998 as the Clinical Director of the Intensive Clinical Management Program and in 2000 became the Vice President of Clinical Operations. Carol was part of the leadership team that helped to develop, implement, and expand the Community Support Program for People Experiencing Chronic Homelessness (CSPECH), a clinical support program for individuals in Housing First programs that was first launched in 2005. Prior to MBHP, Carol worked in various clinical and administrative roles in both community-based and inpatient settings. She received her Master of Social Work from the Smith College School for Social Work and her undergraduate degree from Ithaca College.
Cindy Mann Partner Manatt Health Solutions
Cindy Mann has more than 30 years of experience in federal and state health policy, focused on health coverage, financing, access and operational issues. She guides states, providers, plans, consumer organizations and foundations on creating and implementing strategies around federal and state health reform, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and delivery and payment system transformation. Ms. Mann joined Manatt from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), where she served as deputy administrator and director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services. At CMS, she led the administration of Medicaid, CHIP and the Basic Health Program at the federal level for more than five years during the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Her role included setting federal policy, supporting state program operations and coordinating policy and program operations with the Marketplace. She also was responsible for developing and executing national policies and initiatives regarding long-term services and supports and broader delivery system and payment system reform. In addition, she provided leadership in federal and state efforts to align financing and delivery systems across Medicaid and Medicare.
Prior to CMS, Ms. Mann was a research professor at the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, where she was founder and director of the Center for Children and Families. Her work at Georgetown focused on health coverage, financing and access issues affecting low-income populations. Before coming to Georgetown, Ms. Mann served as a senior advisor at the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. She also was director of the Family and Children’s Health Program Group at the Healthcare Financing Administration (HCFA), now CMS. In that role, she developed the initial CHIP program rules, as well as led policy development related to Medicaid for children, families and pregnant women. Ms. Mann came to HCFA from the Center on Budget and Public Policy, where she directed federal and state health policy work. She has extensive experience in state-level matters, having worked on healthcare, welfare and public finance issues in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York.
John McCarthy Director Ohio Department of Medicaid
State Medicaid Director John McCarthy oversees the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM), Ohio’s first
cabinet-level state Medicaid agency. Through its network of more than 83,000 active providers, Ohio
Medicaid makes coordinated, person-centered care available to residents across Ohio.
The department has become a cornerstone of the Governor’s Office of Health Transformation (OHT),
which Governor John R. Kasich created in 2011. In conjunction with the Office of Health
Transformation Director Greg Moody, Director McCarthy and his team have implemented a series of
innovative policy initiatives that have modernized the Medicaid program by improving the quality of
health services at a substantial value to Ohio’s taxpayers.
Dr. Mary McIntyre, Assistant State Health Officer for Disease Control and Prevention, Alabama Department of Health
Mary G. McIntyre, M.D., M.P.H., SSBB is Assistant State Health Officer for Disease Control and Prevention and State Epidemiologist for the Alabama Department of Public Health. Dr. McIntyre received her B.S. in biology from Winston Salem State University in Winston Salem, NC graduating magna cum laude in 1979. She earned her medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN in 1983 and served as resident physician in Internal Medicine at the George Hubbard Hospital in Nashville, TN. She obtained a master’s of public health in Health Care Organization and Policy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1995. She is board certified in Public Health and General Preventive Medicine through the American Board of Preventive Medicine. Dr. McIntyre previously served as Medical Director and Deputy Commissioner of Clinical Standards and Quality for the Alabama Medicaid Agency in addition to several other roles during her fourteen years with the Medicaid Agency.She is a member of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), the American Public Health Association (APHA), the Alabama Public Health Association (Alpha), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the Medical Association of the State of Alabama (MASA).She is a nationally known expert, currently serving on several national advisory groups and committees including the National Association for State Health Policy (NASHP)’s Steering Committee for System Performance & Public Health, State Health Refor(U)m’s Public and Population Health Advisory group, and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA’s) Child Health Measurement Advisory Panel. In addition, she is also active on a number of CSTE committees and subcommittees.
Marty Milkovic Director Connecticut Dental Health Partnership
Marty is Co-Director of the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership (CTDHP), the State’s dental program for the HUSKY Health (Medicaid/CHIP) programs. The program serves more than 700,000 people including nearly one third of Connecticut’s children. An Administrative Service Organization (ASO), the program has had great success, doubling child, perinatal women and adult dental utilization while lowering costs. It was one of three states to receive a Perinatal and Infant Oral Health Quality Improvement (PIOHQI) Grant from HRSA in 2013. He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and a twenty-year veteran of the United Way system in Connecticut.
Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, Chief Medical Officer for Prevention, American Heart Association
Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP serves as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Prevention for the American Heart Association (AHA). He brings an interest and experience in prevention and population health to AHA. He served as Deputy Chief Medical Officer for the AHA from April 2013 through 2014. Prior to joining AHA, he served as Vice President and CMO for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX). Dr. Sanchez led the Institute for Health Policy at the University of Texas (UT) School of Public Health as director from 2006 to 2008. From 2001 to 2006, he served as Texas’ state health officer, Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services from 2004 to 2006 and the Texas Department of Health from 2001 to 2004. And he served as the local public health officer in Austin-Travis County from 1994 to 1998.Dr. Sanchez currently serves as Chair of the National Commission on Prevention Priorities and the Texas Public Health Coalition. From 2008 to 2012, he served as chair of the Advisory Committee to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He serves on the Institute of Medicine’s Roundtable on Obesity Solutions and on the Board of Directors of Trust for America’s Health, AcademyHealth, the Public Health Institute, and the CATCH Global Foundation.Dr. Sanchez obtained his M.D. from the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, an M.P.H. from the UT Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, and an M.S. in biomedical engineering from Duke University. He holds a B.S. in biomedical engineering and a B.A. in chemistry from Boston University. Dr. Sanchez is board certified in family medicine.
Suz Schrandt Deputy Director, Patient Engagement PCORI
Suzanne Schrandt, JD, is the Deputy Director of Patient Engagement at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). She is responsible for supporting the Director of Patient Engagement in creating networks and engaging patients across the nation to provide broad-based input on the development and execution of PCORI’s research. Schrandt has been involved in patient education and advocacy since being diagnosed with a form of rheumatoid arthritis as a teenager.
For more than 15 years, she has advocated on behalf of children and adults with arthritis and has been engaged in numerous patient and provider education initiatives aimed at increasing early diagnosis and appropriate, patient-centered management of chronic disease. Before coming to PCORI, Schrandt served as the health reform strategy team leader for the Kansas Health Institute, where she educated the state’s policymakers, providers, and consumers on the implications of the Affordable Care Act. While there, Schrandt also led the Kansas Legislative Health Academy, an intensive educational experience for select Kansas legislators.
Schrandt also previously served as the Coordinator of Public Health and Public Policy for the Arthritis Foundation in Kansas City and as a Research Associate for a Human Genome Research Institute Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues project. She is a member of the Kansas Bar and the American Health Lawyers Association.
Dena Stoner, Senior Policy Advisor, Texas Department of State Health Services
Dena Stoner is currently Senior Policy Advisor for the Texas Department of State Health Services. She also serves as Chair of the National Association of Mental Health Program Directors Medicaid and Finance Division and as an appointed member the National Academy of State Health Policy. Ms. Stoner has over 35 years of experience in public policy, management, strategic planning, program design and implementation. She has developed and implemented a number of major programs and initiatives in Medicaid-funded long term services, acute care, managed care and behavioral health. In her current position, Ms. Stoner is responsible for developing initiatives to improve services for people with mental health and substance abuse conditions. Examples of recent initiatives include the nationally recognized Texas Money Follows the Person Behavioral Health Pilot, Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment and Medicaid Incentives for Prevention of Chronic Disease Study. She also led development of behavioral health delivery system reform project options for the Texas Medicaid 1115 Transformation Waiver and created home and community-based waiver and state plan amendments for persons with mental illness.Her innovations have been featured in various national periodicals, including the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, Policy and Practice: The Magazine of the American Public Human Services Association, Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, and Generations: The Journal of the American Society on Aging.
Joe Thompson Director Arkansas Center for Health Improvement
Dr. Joe Thompson’s work is centered at the intersection of clinical care, public health and health policy. He is responsible for developing research activities, health policy, and collaborative programs that promote better health and health
care in Arkansas.
Dr. Thompson has led vanguard efforts in planning and implementing health care financing reform, tobacco and
obesity-related health promotion and disease prevention programs. He has worked with Arkansas’s
executive and legislative leadership and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop a
creative alternative to Medicaid expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In addition,
Dr. Thompson is guiding Arkansas’s innovative initiatives to improve health system access, quality and cost
including a systematic, multi-payer overhaul of Arkansas’s health care payment system.
From 2005–2015 Dr. Thompson served as Surgeon General for the State of Arkansas in the administrations
of Republican Governor, Mike Huckabee and Governor Mike Beebe, a Democrat. As Surgeon General,
Dr. Thompson worked closely with and often served as a bridge between the Governor’s office, the Arkansas
legislature and public and private organizations across the state to develop relevant health policy initiatives.
Previous accomplishments include serving as the lead architect of the Tobacco Settlement Act of 2000 and
instituting the Arkansas Health Insurance Roundtable. Under his leadership, ACHI helped pass the Clean
Indoor Air Act of 2006, documented the state’s success in halting progression of the childhood obesity
epidemic, and passed a tobacco excise tax increase to provide funding for more than two dozen health
initiatives.
Dr. Thompson has been at the forefront of both Arkansas’s leading-edge efforts against childhood obesity
and in national efforts to reverse childhood obesity as the former Director of the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation (RWJF) Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity.
Nationally, Dr. Thompson serves on the board of the Campaign to End Obesity and of AcademyHealth.
Previously he served for ten years on the Arkansas Board of Health and is past President of the Arkansas
Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is author of numerous articles and publications that
reflect his research interests in the areas of health and health care.
Dr. Thompson earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Master of
Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served as the RWJF Clinical Scholar at
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Luther Terry Fellow in Preventive Medicine advising the
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health in Washington, DC, and the Assistant Vice President and Director of
Research at the National Committee for Quality Assurance in Washington, DC. In 1997, he served as the First
Child and Adolescent Health Scholar of the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (then the U.S.
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research) before returning to Arkansas.
Beth Waldman Senior Consultant Bailit Health Purchasing, LLC
Beth Waldman is a senior consultant at Bailit Health Purchasing. She works with states, health plans, and providers to improve the health care system. She supports a number of payment and delivery system reform activities for states and health plans, and recently completed a review of safety net ACOs for MACPAC. Prior to joining Bailit, Beth served as the Massachusetts Medicaid director from September 2003 through January 2007. Beth is a graduate of Union College in Schenectady, NY, Boston College Law School and the Harvard School of Public Health.
Anya Rader Wallack Director HealthSource RI
Anya Rader Wallack was recently appointed Director of HealthSource RI by Governor Gina Raimondo. Anya has lived in Rhode Island and run her own health policy consulting firm for the past 15 years. Her consulting focus is state and federal health policy, including Medicaid policy, the effect of national health reform on states and health care payment and delivery system reform. Anya served as Chair of Vermont’s Green Mountain Care Board from 2011-2013. The Board oversees cost control and provider payment innovation in Vermont.For the past 18 months Anya served as Chair of the Vermont State Innovation Model (SIM) governing board. Vermont’s SIM project supports development of accountable care organizations, development of a statewide health information exchange infrastructure and alignment of care management strategies across payers and providers.Anya served previously as interim President of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute.Anya served from 1991-1994 as Policy Director and then Deputy Chief of Staff for Vermont Governor Howard Dean, M.D. From 1995-1998 she ran the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care, a quasi-governmental agency that specializes in quality measurement and improvement at the state level.
The post NASHPConf15 Speakers appeared first on NASHP.