16^th Annual Medicaid Innovations Forum

Andrew C. Bledsoe

Deputy Executive Director, Office of the Inspector General

Kentucky Health Information Exchange

Mr. Bledsoe has 19 years’ experience in healthcare with the past 12 focused on Health Information Technology. He began his career at St. Claire Regional Medical Center, obtaining insight into rural medicine for both hospitals and ambulatory providers. Leveraging his rural experience, Andrew moved to the Northeast Kentucky Regional Health Information Organization (NeKY RHIO) to serve as Executive Director. Andrew’s current position is the Deputy Executive Director for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General where he oversees the strategic planning and daily operations for the Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHIE). Andrew is currently pursuing a PhD from Sullivan University in Strategic Leadership. In his spare time, Andrew owns a small business decorating Christmas trees.

Karin E. Bleeg, MPH

Acting Director, Division of Health Innovation and Integration (DHII)

CMS Innovation Center

Karin E. Bleeg, MPH is the Acting Director for the Division of Health Innovation and Integration (DHII) at the CMS Innovation Center. Ms. Bleeg began her career at the Innovation Center in 2014 designing and implementing advanced alternative payment models for Medicare accountable care organizations, and then shifted her focus from Medicare policy to Medicaid policy when she joined the Maternal Opioid Misuse (MOM) Model, and later the Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model. In the MOM and InCK Models, Ms. Bleeg worked with state Medicaid agencies and local health service providers to improve the integration of behavioral health and physical health to provide care coordination and case management among community partners to identify and treat children and pregnant persons experiencing opioid use disorder, and to alleviate health-related social needs. Prior to joining the Innovation Center, Ms. Bleeg's work, and research was rooted in Latinx health disparities and the social impact of HIV/AIDS experienced by Latinas in Lima, Peru; and in establishing two community gardens in neighborhoods experiencing food insecurity that were paired with a program emphasizing increased community engagement. Ms. Bleeg has a Master of Public Health from the George Washington University (GWU) Milken School of Public Health and a Women’s Studies Graduate Certificate from GWU, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies from the University of Washington.

Kanita Bourne, LCSW

Manager of Social and Community Services

Inland Empire Health Plan

Kanita Bourne, LCSW is an accomplished health equity leader and Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience in developing and managing culturally competent community health programs. As Manager of Social and Community Services at Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), Kanita spearheads innovative initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities, improving healthcare access, and addressing the social determinants of health in underserved populations. She has been instrumental in driving compliance efforts to ensure access, engagement, and equity in rural areas while fostering cross-functional collaborations that enhance community impact.
Kanita’s expertise lies in building and executing strategic health equity plans, managing complex projects, and driving compliance with industry standards to promote equitable care across diverse populations. She has successfully pioneered several community-based programs, including the establishment of maternal mental health services for underserved communities in Los Angeles County. Additionally, Kanita’s leadership extends to workforce development, training future social workers as an adjunct professor and leading clinical supervision for teams delivering behavioral health services.
A thought leader and speaker, Kanita is passionate about health equity, behavioral change, and community wellness. She holds a Master of Social Work from Loma Linda University, a Master of Public Administration from California State University Northridge, and multiple certifications in evidence-based therapeutic practices. Kanita is committed to advancing the mission of health equity through innovative, data-driven solutions that uplift vulnerable communities.

Jacqueline Collins, RN, CPHQ, MSML

Senior Director, GA and AR Quality Improvement

CareSource

Jacqueline Collins, RN, MSML, CPHQ, is a Sr. Director of Quality Improvement, at a managed care organization in Georgia. She is a registered nurse with experience in precertification and concurrent review, appeals, grievances, and complaints. She also has over 20 years of quality experience with HEDIS®, CAHPS, and NCQA accreditation for all lines of business including Medicaid, Marketplace, Medicare, the Dual Eligible population, and Commercial insurance. For the Medicaid line of business, she has worked closely with the most vulnerable population to help bridge the gap to care.

Dr. Tracey Davis

Director of Pharmacy

AmeriHealth Caritas DC

Dr. Tracey Davis is the Director of Pharmacy at AmeriHealth Caritas DC, which is a managed care organization in the DC market. AmeriHealth Caritas DC works to innovatively service their members through integrated health care and member driven services.
As Director of Pharmacy, Dr. Davis holds responsibilities as the Pharmacy Liaison to the state, collaborator with the Medical Director, Case Management, and the rest of the Executive team to reach the health plans quality goals, community outreach, and oversight of the PBM. Dr. Davis specializes in policy development and change management. She is a passionate pharmacist with an extremely diverse background. Over the last 19 years, she has worked in hospital, retail and managed care pharmacies, and also for a government health plan.
She obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy from Howard University and has also earned certification in MTM (medication therapy management) and completed a general practice residency in 2004. She believes that evolution requires us to aspire to be more.
Dr. Davis lives in Maryland, where you’ll find her playing golf or teaching yoga. She also delights in taking her children to the park.

Chris Esguerra, MD

Chief Medical Officer

Health Plan of San Mateo

An experienced healthcare leader, Chris Esguerra, MD, MBA, FAPA, CHCQM has led systems transformation, program evolution, and public/private partnerships leading to outcomes meeting the quadruple aim of improving health, cost effectiveness, enhancing patient experience, and supporting provider well-being. He serves as Chief Medical Officer for Health Plan of San Mateo, a local community plan serving Medicaid and dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. He also advises nonprofits partnering in healthcare delivery, healthcare startups, and provider groups. His experience encompasses health care provider and systems leadership, managed care operations, novel payment models, public-private partnerships, and health care transformation. He has led significant efforts around integration of care and services for a variety of populations, holistically addressing social determinants of health in healthcare delivery, and helping people remain and age in the community with appropriate long-term services and supports. He most recently served on a National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine committee that published Integrating Social Needs Care into the Delivery of Health Care to Improve the Nation's Health. Dr. Esguerra is board certified in both Psychiatry and Health Care and Quality Management and is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians. He received his BS in Chemistry and Medical Degree from the University of Southern California. He completed his residency training in Psychiatry at San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Psychiatry Residency Training Program. He also received his MBA in business management from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Julie Joseph, MD

Chief Medical Officer

BlueCare Tennessee

Dr. Joseph is the Chief Medical Officer of BlueCare Tennessee. She is a board-certified Internist and Infectious Diseases specialist, with a Master’s in Public Health and an Executive MBA from Columbia Business School. Dr. Joseph began her medical career working as an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Departments of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at New York Medical College and Columbia University Medical Center. She later transitioned to the health insurance space holding various administrative positions at Anthem-Empire BlueCross BlueShield and at Emblem Health in NYC. Dr. Joseph is a physician executive with over 20 years of ambulatory and inpatient medical as well as payer expertise in medical management, quality and population management.

Jim Milanowski

CEO

Genesee Health Plan

Jim Milanowski has over 22 years’ experience in the management of mental health, substance abuse, behavioral health managed care and medical care coverage programs. Mr. Milanowski currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Genesee Health Plan (GHP), administering a community based indigent health care plan. The health plan has covered over 70,000 Genesee County residents since 2001. Since the start of enrollment into Affordable Care Act in 2013, GHP has conducted outreach and enrollment sessions with over 15,000 Genesee County residents. The health plan received the 2015 Pinnacle Award from the Michigan Association of Health Plans for this effort. As a strong advocate, his expertise includes working to reduce racial disparities, uncompensated care, and the impact of chronic disease. During his leadership, Genesee Health Plan has received the national quality award from URAC for Best Practices in Patient Empowerment and Protection, the Greater Flint Labor Council's Community Partnership Award and the Robert M. Pestronk Excellence in Public Health Award. He is a founding member of the Health Net Collaborative, and a member of the Greater Flint Health Coalition Access, Dental and Medical Group Visit Committees. He is the Treasurer of the Michigan Association of County Health Plans and is on the Board of Directors for the Genesee Community Health Center. Mr. Milanowski received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Spring Arbor University and his Master's of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Michigan University. He is a limited-licensed psychologist in the state of Michigan, and has extensive counseling experience with adult, child, and adolescent populations.

Erica Moore-Smith, LCSW

Supervisor, Social and Community Services

Inland Empire Health Plan

Erica Moore-Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 15 years of experience in the field of social work. Currently, Erica serves as a Supervisor in the Social and Community Services department at the Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), where she leads a team of dedicated Community Health Workers. With 8 years of expertise in healthcare social work, Erica has developed a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by underserved populations in accessing equitable healthcare.
Erica holds a bachelor’s degree in social work, with a minor in Counseling and Social Change, from San Diego University and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from California State University, Long Beach. Throughout their career, Erica has maintained a passionate commitment to advocating for equity and justice, particularly in the realm of Black maternal health. She oversees a team that focuses on identifying and eliminating systemic barriers in the birthing space for Black/African American women, addressing disparities in care and advocating for meaningful policy changes.
Having personally experienced bias in the healthcare system during the births of one of two of daughters, Erica is deeply driven by the need for advocacy and structural reform to ensure that all individuals, regardless of race or background, receive the respectful and dignified care they deserve.

Chantel Neece DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-BC, GERO-BC, CPHQ, SSBBP

Sr. Director- Maternal/Child Services & Member SDOH

Sentara Health Plans

As a board certified and licensed Family Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of healthcare experience, Chantel Neece currently serves as Sr. Director for Maternal/Child Services & Member SDOH at Sentara Health Plans. From a Nurses’ Aide to Doctor in Nursing Practice, her current role focuses on eliminating healthcare disparities, enhancing member engagement, improving health literacy, optimizing healthcare satisfaction, opening access to care, and heightening care outcomes for all. Chantel has volunteered with the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Standard Setting Committee, and the National Association for Healthcare Quality as a change agent redefining nursing practice and healthcare fundamentals. She also serves on the Board for Nurses Supporting Reproductive Health via their Executive Leadership Committee. In her spare time, Chantel enjoys gardening, traveling, and sampling international cuisine with her family.

Stella V. Pappas, LCSW-R, ACSW

Vice President, Behavioral Health

Healthfirst

Stella V. Pappas, LCSW-R, ACSW, is an essential part of the Healthfirst Clinical Department with primary responsibility for behavioral health operations. Ms. Pappas leads the Behavioral Health Department, providing oversight for the behavioral health care management and utilization management teams for all lines of business, all populations, and all products. In her first three years at Healthfirst Ms. Pappas has focused on evolving the behavioral health services from a reactive to a proactive model of care, enhancing quality outcomes, and mental health parity. In her previous employment Ms. Pappas held several roles at Optum, part of United Health Group, including the executive director for the Optum New York City Behavioral Health Organization (BHO). Under her leadership, Optum provided administrative and management services for inpatient behavioral health treatment. By working closely with providers to improve clinical outcomes and increase access to care, she played a key role in supporting New York State’s efforts to enhance the quality and efficiency of the public behavioral health system as it transitioned into managed care. Additionally, Pappas has held a variety of leadership positions in the hospital, behavioral healthcare, and managed care industries in New York City. Prior to joining Optum in 2013, she served as the chief operating officer and executive vice president for the Institute for Community Living, one of New York City’s largest behavioral health provider agencies. Ms. Pappas received her Master of Social Work and Advanced Clinical Certificate from New York University’s School of Social Work; she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with honors from New York University. Ms. Pappas says, “As a licensed clinical social worker, I’m passionate about helping people solve their problems with real-life solutions. I thrive on establishing meaningful relationships and working with people of diverse backgrounds and expertise. I bring careful listening, strategic thinking, and collaboration to everything I do, offering our members, my organization, and my team a leader who is invested in their wellness and success. Outside of work, I spend the majority of my time with my husband, our two kids, and our dog. We love to travel, go out to dinner, and make memories. I also enjoy reading and cooking.”

Graisy M. Pichardo, LMSW

Director, Behavioral Health

Healthfirst

Graisy M. Pichardo, LMSW, is a seasoned behavioral health operations leader with over 20 years of experience at Healthfirst, New York’s largest not-for-profit health insurer. Ms. Pichardo was behavioral health employee #6, now a department of over 200. Ms. Pichardo began her career at Healthfirst as a case manager and has grown through the ranks, now leading the on-site care management team, as the founding director of this new program. These accomplishments have been largely due to her commitment to the members we serve to the Behavioral Health department and to Healthfirst. Ms. Pichardo currently oversees the Rapid Engagement & Linkage Team (REAL). This team is responsible for outreaching and assessing members who were seen in the emergency room for Mental Health or Substance Use Disorders (SUD). She is also responsible for creating and overseeing the newly formed Behavioral Health On-site team. This team was created in October 2023 with the goal of working with Healthfirst members when they are admitted for Detox or SUD Rehabilitation with the goal of decreasing readmissions and increasing community tenure through effective engagement and discharge planning. Ms. Pichardo received her Master of Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice As a social worker, Ms. Pichardo exemplifies the values of empathy, resilience, and dedication, making a lasting impact on the lives she touches and embodying the true spirit of social work. Ms. Pichardo’s commitment to members and staff alike, institutional knowledge, and strong clinical as well as administrative skills makes her a valued member of our team. Graisy is always willing to pitch in as a team player with competence and enthusiasm. Outside of work, Ms. Pichardo loves to travel with her children, grandchildren and extended family members. She is also known as “Bob the builder” among her family members as she is often referred to as the person who makes home repairs and is the glue that keeps it all together.

Mike Rapach

CEO

CareFirst Community Health Plan of Maryland

Mike Rapach is the President and CEO of CareFirst Community Health Plan Maryland, a subsidiary of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. The plan provides Medicaid and Medicare Advantage Dual Special Needs coverage across the entire state of Maryland. In that role, Mike is responsible for the strategic planning and direction of the organization, along with managing the relationships with regulators. He is also directly accountable for the financial, operational, and clinical performance of the company. Mike has 20 years of experience in Health Care both regionally and nationally, having served in leadership roles with Centene, Highmark, United HealthGroup, and Coventry Healthcare. Prior to joining CareFirst, Mike implemented and led the Medicare Advantage and Marketplace businesses for Centene in Pennsylvania. He was also the lead for the implementation of the new Managed Long- term Services and Support (MLTSS) program for Centene in the same market. In other prior roles, Mike has led business and technology organizations supporting Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, ACA/Marketplace, and commercial health insurance. Mike has an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Bachelor’s in Finance from Penn State. He enjoys traveling the world with his wife, Jennifer, playing ice hockey, and cooking the new dishes he encounters on his travels.

Rosemond Sarpong Owens, CDM/MPH

Director, Health Equity Integration

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota

Rosemond Sarpong Owens is a seasoned leader with a distinguished career in the field of racial and health equity, diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly within healthcare and is on a mission to eliminate racial and health inequities and drive transformative change. Currently serving as Director of Racial and Health Equity Integration at Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota, Rosemond has dedicated herself to making a difference in healthcare and beyond. Having worked across various healthcare organizations, Rosemond possesses a wealth of experience and insights into the complexities of the healthcare system. She is known for her ability to navigate intricate organizational landscapes and design innovative solutions that foster truly inclusive environments. Rosemond sees herself as an architect of change, constantly working to shape a more just and equitable society. Her expertise in crafting and executing strategic priorities for equitable outcomes has left an indelible mark on the healthcare system. In a world where health equity, diversity, equity, and inclusion are more crucial than ever, she stands as a beacon of hope and progress. Her mission is to continue shaping the future of healthcare and society at large, ensuring that every individual has access to the care. and opportunities they deserve. As a visionary in the field of racial and health equity, Rosemond serves as a source of inspiration for many, demonstrating that true change is possible. She reminds us of all that. we have the power to create a brighter, more equitable future for all.

Melissa Smeltzer, MSN, BSN, RN, CPHQ, PAHM

Director of Quality Improvement

BlueCare Tennessee

Melissa Smeltzer is director of quality improvement for BlueCare Tennessee, a wholly owned subsidiary of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee that manages care and provides quality health care products, services and information for government programs. In this role, she is responsible for directing and overseeing the development and implementation of clinical and service quality initiatives at BlueCare. This includes improvement action plans, compliance with regulatory and accrediting bodies, and the appeals process for both members and providers. Her role also involves partnering with Provider Network Management on provider quality initiatives. Her career spans nearly 30 years in health care, serving in quality as well as nursing positions at several health care facilities. Smeltzer joined BlueCare in 2019 as manager of quality program
implementation and clinical strategy & evaluation. Smeltzer is a registered nurse and is accredited as a certified professional in healthcare quality (CPHQ). She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in political science with a specialty in public administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Albany State University in Albany, Ga., and her Master of Science degree in nursing from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, -Tenn.

Marti Taylor

CEO

OhioRISE Vice President Aetna/Medicaid

As of January 1, 2024, Marti Taylor accepted the position of CEO, OhioRISE and VP Aetna / Medicaid, a CVS Company. Marti joins Aetna/OhioRISE from OneFifteen, where she was President and CEO, and Executive Director of Behavioral Health of Verily. There, Marti lead a cross-disciplinary team focused on modernizing addiction care in partnership with Verily, the Life Sciences Division of Google. The Dayton treatment center helped thousands of individuals battling the disease of addiction. Before founding OneFifteen, Marti’s career centered on leading premier academic medical centers advancing clinical care through research, teaching and quality improvement. Until 2018, Marti served as CEO of University Hospital and the Ross Heart Hospital at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. From 2003-2008, Marti served as president of the Saint Joseph's Cardiovascular Program and Research Institute in Atlanta. Prior to that Marti worked for 25 years at Duke, where she began as a staff nurse in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Duke University Hospital and grew in scope to eventually supervise all aspects of the Health Systems Heart Center at three hospitals and multiple affiliate hospitals. Marti holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, and a Master of Science in nursing from Duke University. She currently serves as the Chair for the Board of Trustees for Capital University, is a founding member of the Ohio Institute for Substance Use Disorder Excellence and also serves on the OneFifteen Recovery Board as well as other volunteer boards. Marti lives in Dublin, Ohio with her husband, Rodney, and their two sons, Zachary and Andrew.

Gabriel Uribe, DSW

Director, Health Equity Operations

Inland Empire Health Plan

Dr. Gabriel Uribe serves as the Director of Health Equity Operations at the Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP). IEHP is a not-for-profit public entity, rapidly growing Medi-Cal and Medicare health plan in California. With a network of more than 8,000 Providers and over 3,000 employees, IEHP serves over 1.5 million residents of California’s Riverside and San Bernardino counties who are enrolled in Medi- Cal, and Cal MediConnect (Medicare-Medicaid Plan).
In addition to his formal occupation, Dr. Uribe serves as the President of the Inland Empire Disabilities Collaborative (IEDC). The IEDC provides networking and educational resources to over 2,500 disability service professionals employed at over 400 regional organizations that serve nearly half a million seniors and persons with disabilities in Southern California.
Dr. Uribe earned a Doctor of Social Work at the University of Southern California and holds a Masters of Public Administration from Cal Poly Pomona. He is an experienced social service professional committed to the delivery of accessible health care for low income and underrepresented communities.

Alyssa M. Ward, Ph.D., LCP

Behavioral Health Clinical Director, Virginia Medicaid Line of Business

Anthem HealthKeepers Plus

Alyssa M. Ward, Ph.D., LCP is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Behavioral Health Clinical Director for the Medicaid line of business for Elevance Health in Virginia. Prior to this role, she served as the Behavioral Health Clinical Director for the Virginia State Medicaid Program and was the lead for the Project BRAVO transformation of the Medicaid behavioral health benefit. Dr. Ward also worked as an integrated care attending Psychologist in the neonatal intensive care unit and the pediatric gastroenterology program at Virginia Commonwealth University Children’s Hospital. Dr. Ward’s expertise is in the implementation of evidence-based practices into systems of care, including integration into rate setting, payment models, and healthcare policy to assure sustainment.

Jennifer D’Angelo

Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President, Healthcare

New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII)

Jennifer is a visionary leader, innovator, and strategist who currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President of Healthcare at New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII). As NJII’s COO, plays a key leadership role in shaping the organization by streamlining processes and enhancing the organizational capabilities to not only achieve, but exceed, its goal of doubling the size of NJII and surpassing $70 million in revenue.
Jennifer also continues to lead the Healthcare division as Executive Vice President and leveraging her background in healthcare technology and management to significantly advance its mission and impact across the industry. The division manages federal and state grant funded programs focused on revolutionizing healthcare through data-driven transformation, including the management of the New Jersey Health Information Network (NJHIN) on behalf of the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH).
The NJHIN is the only network that has been built specifically to facilitate the exchange of patient data for all New Jersey patients with their healthcare providers. With Jennifer at the helm, NJII and the NJHIN can increase interoperability, thus reducing the cost of healthcare and improving population health statewide.
Jennifer also oversees the NJII Healthcare Division’s for-profit subsidiary, Healthcare Innovation Solutions (HCIS), which assists thousands of physicians across the country in navigating the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Merit-Based Incentive Payment Program (MIPS) and Quality Improvement Program-New Jersey (QIP-NJ).
Prior to her appointment at NJII, Jennifer served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, NJ; Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Information Services at Christian Health in Wyckoff, NJ; and Executive Director of Jersey Health Connect in Newark, NJ.
Jennifer has more than two decades of HealthIT experience and is one of the few women in leadership in the healthcare industry. Having worked as a Chief Information Officer on the provider side of healthcare, Jennifer implemented and supported EHR and revenue initiatives; led cybersecurity, HIPPA and privacy, Information Services, Clinical Informatics and Telecommunications on a state-wide scale; and continues to provide a cutting-edge vision to the healthcare field and revolution. She has also been tapped by leading organizations for her expertise and thought leadership at various speaking engagements, including sitting on the NJBIZ Healthcare Technology Panel, and speaking at the American Health Information Management Association’s (AHIMA) Long- term and Post-acute Care and Health Information Technology Summit.
Jennifer is also committed to furthering HealthIT through volunteering and giving back her knowledge. She currently serves as a Board Member of NJHIMSS, along with serving on several regional and state leadership associations and committees including Health Care Association of New Jersey (HCANJ), national HIMSS, AHIMA, LeadingAge CAST, Jersey Health Connect, AEHiT, New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) and NJHIN. Most recently, she was selected to become a member in CHIEF – an organization designed for the most powerful women executives to strengthen their leadership and magnify their influence – and a nominee for the Civitas Networks for Health’s board. Through her experience volunteering, collaborating, networking, and advising these organizations, she has helped to make a significant impact on growing healthcare technology initiatives across New Jersey and beyond.

Kevin Bagley, DHA, MBA, FACHE

Former Medicaid Director

State of Nebraska

Kevin Bagley, DHA, MBA, FACHE is passionate about finding ways to improve the systems of care that support Medicaid participants across the country. Kevin’s most recent role was as the Medicaid Director for the state of Nebraska, serving under two Governors, Pete Ricketts and Jim Pillen. Prior to serving as Nebraska’s Medicaid Director, Kevin served as the Director of LTSS for the state of Utah’s Medicaid program. Kevin served on the Board of Directors at the National Association of Medicaid Directors, the Nebraska Health Information Technology Board and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Kevin earned his Doctor of Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University and his Master’s in Business Administration from Utah State University. Kevin enjoys reading at night with his four kids, playing board games and walking the dogs with his wife.

Chris Barrott

Program Manager, Division of Medicaid,

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Chris is the Program Manager for the Bureau of Long Term Care with the Idaho Division of Medicaid. She is managing the Duals programs for Idaho as well as the Quality Assurance program for the Bureau of Long Term Care. She has specialized in operational and systems development and contract management for over 25 years and loves the opportunity to find operational efficiencies that result in better outcomes for participants on Medicaid.

Mina Chang, Ph.D.

Deputy Director, Chief Analytics & Compliance Division

Ohio Department of Aging

Dr. Mina Chang brings over 25 years of distinguished leadership in health and human services across diverse governmental sectors and national markets. Currently, as the Senior Policy Advisor to the Director at the Ohio Department of Aging, she drives impactful policy changes to benefit 2.8 million older Ohioans. Previously, as the Deputy Director, she was at the forefront of transforming eldercare and healthy aging in Ohio, leading business intelligence and compliance strategies to ensure innovation and service excellence. In her role as VP of Quality at Bethesda, a national long-term care provider, she led COVID response efforts and managed a workforce of 3,000 across 400 programs in 13 states. As Assistant Health Commissioner for NYC, she spearheaded teams to expand health insurance services for 8 million residents, successfully onboarding 85,000 new members during ACA open enrollment. A respected industry speaker, Dr. Chang has advised influential organizations such as MACPAC, SAMHSA, and CHCS. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management and an MPA from Ohio State University. As a Fellow of the American Healthcare Executives, Dr. Chang is dedicated to advancing excellence in public policy and healthcare leadership.

Alexandra (Ali) Fernández, MHS,

Bureau Chief, Bureau of Long Term Care, Division of Medicaid,

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Alexandra (Ali) Fernández is the Bureau Chief for the Bureau of Long Term Care under the Division of Medicaid. She has spent her career working for programs that support individuals with disabilities and the aging population, from direct service to policy analysis and program implementation.

Kody H. Kinsley

Secretary

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Kody H. Kinsley serves as Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services; appointed to the cabinet position by Governor Roy Cooper and unanimously confirmed by the North Carolina Senate. Secretary Kinsley has identified three priority areas of focus: Behavioral Health & Resilience, Child & Family Wellbeing, and Building a Strong & Inclusive Workforce. By focusing on these three areas, Secretary Kinsley believes the state can make smart investments that drive health for individuals and value for public resources. As the COVID-19 Pandemic and national public health emergency conclude, Kinsley and the department have transitioned from emergency response to preparedness. Alongside this transition, Secretary Kinsley advanced the department's key priorities through the passing of Medicaid Expansion and Governor Cooper’s $1 billion pledge for behavioral health services. The implementation and expansion of Medicaid extends healthcare coverage to previously underserved populations, providing critical access to health services for thousands of North Carolinians. Secretary Kinsley’s accomplishments exemplify his dedication to improving health equity throughout the state. Secretary Kinsley oversees a department that has broad responsibility for all aspects of health and human services, a staff of 18,000 and an annual budget of $38 billion. Kinsley joined the Department in 2018 where he most recently served as Chief Deputy Secretary for Health and Operations Lead for North Carolina’s COVID-19 response. Prior to returning home to North Carolina, Secretary Kinsley served as the presidentially appointed Assistant Secretary for Management for the United States Department of the Treasury under two Administrations. In that role, he functioned as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer with a broad scope of responsibility for the agency, its nine bureaus, and 100,000 employees. With deep health policy, operational and leadership experience, Secretary Kinsley’s career spans the public and private sectors. These roles include positions at the White House, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and leading operations for a behavioral health care service provider in western North Carolina. Secretary Kinsley is a Fellow of the Civil Society Fellowship, a partnership of the Anti-Defamation League and the Aspen Institute, and he is also an Adjunct Professor at the School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Brevard College in Brevard, NC, and his Master of Public Policy from the University of California, at Berkeley.

Janet Mann

Deputy Director of Health and State Medicaid Director

Arkansas Department of Human Services

Janet Mann has over twenty years’ experience in healthcare and healthcare finance. She has worked in the public and private sector for multiple states and clients. Janet has served as the Division Director for DHS’s Division of Medical Services overseeing the Medicaid operations before and during the beginning of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency until April 2021. She also served as DHS’s Chief Financial Officer for a year in 2017. In addition, Janet was a Deputy Administrator for Medicaid in Mississippi during Governor Haley Barbour’s administration, 2006-2010. Janet has worked in the private sector focused on healthcare and public sector for several entities throughout her career but most recently at Horne LLP in Ridgeland, Mississippi. While consulting, Janet worked closely with other states implementing public policies and programs in areas of program integrity, managed care, audit and compliance and financial processes. Janet holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Alabama and is a Certified Public Accountant. Janet has been married to Doug for over 29 years and has 2 grown children, Sydney and Will.

Milla Jones

Strategic Initiatives Program Coordinator

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

Milla Jones is a Strategic Initiatives Program Coordinator with a deep understanding of Medicaid program management and policy. With over five years of experience at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Milla has demonstrated exceptional skills in project management, data analysis, and federal and state regulation expertise.
As a Program Coordinator, Milla has played a pivotal role in various initiatives, including the development of the inaugural Project Management Office (PMO) for Medicaid, the successful administration of the Section 1115 Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Demonstration Program, and the implementation of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) initiatives. Her expertise in analysis and reporting has been instrumental in ensuring the program's compliance with federal mandates and providing valuable insights for decision-making.
Milla's dedication to improving healthcare access is evident through her involvement in various projects aimed at enhancing Medicaid services and ensuring equitable outcomes for beneficiaries.

Dorthy K. Young, Ph.D., MHSA

Chief Health Data, Operations and Research Officer

Mississippi State Department of Health

Before joining the Mississippi State Department of Health, Dr. Young served as the Deputy of Health Services, the Director of Innovation Initiatives, and the Medical Services Director in the Mississippi Division of Medicaid. She has also been a Director in University of Mississippi Medical Center Hospital Administration and for UMMC's University Heart Center.
Dr. Young is a graduate of Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, and holds a Master of Health Services Administration degree from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Health Sciences from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. In addition to her role with MSDH, Dr. Young is an adjunct faculty member for the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and at Xavier University of Louisiana. She has experience in hospital administration, health information and informatics, life sciences research, healthcare reimbursement, analytics and policy development.

Diane Arms

Director of Community Behavioral Health

The Council on Recovery

Diane Arms currently serves as the Director of Community Behavioral Health at The Council on Recovery and oversees the Center for Co-Occurring Disorders. She has dedicated her career to serving the Latino population in the Health Field, including Mental Health and Substance Use. She received both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso. Diane has served in roles such as Director of Health Integration and Director of Prevention and Counseling. She has worked facilitating leadership meetings amongst local Federally Qualified Health Centers to proactively identify, address, and resolve systemic issues within the healthcare system, has successfully implemented programs such as Multisystemic Therapy in a Mental Health Setting and Transition Age Youth, assisting transitioning clients from children’ services to adult services in the mental health system. She spearheaded the transition of in person clinical and behavioral health services of a healthcare agency to telehealth services to accommodate social distancing and stay at home orders due to COVID 19. Previously funded projects consist of identifying relationships between stress, depression and anxiety to substance use and parenting styles in young adult Latinos, investigating the effects of chronic illnesses on children’s health-related quality of life in the Colonias, an underserved and impoverished neighborhood along the Texas-Mexico border, and exploring effective decision making aids on colorectal cancer for the aging Latino population. She is a fellow of the American Leadership Forum, Class 44, a graduate of the Mujers de HACE program in 2019, a board member for El Centro de Corazon and an advisory committee member and trainer for Hispanic/Latino Behavioral Health Center of Excellence.

Rafi Cices

Head of BOI, Coding & Billing

CityBlock Health

Rafi Cices is the Head of Risk Adjustment, Coding and Billing operations at CityBlock Health, a tech-driven healthcare provider for those in underserved communities. Prior to joining Cityblock, Rafi led the Risk Adjustment strategy and analytics at Oscar Health for Medicare and ACA lines of business.
Rafi has experience managing an organization's performance in value-based contracts where he successfully implemented contracts with insurers and CMS when he worked at Caremount Medical. He has an undergraduate degree in finance from Rutgers University and EMBA from the Johnson Business School at Cornell University.

Carmela Costiniuk, B.Sc. OT, MHA, D. EdD (C)

Vice President, Population Health and Clinical Transformation

Catholic Medical Partners

Carmela Costiniuk is Vice President of Population Health and Clinical Transformation at Catholic Medical Partners, the largest network of independent practice physicians in Buffalo, NY, with nearly 900 physician members. She develops and implements population health and operational strategies and oversees the operations team, which provides direct support to physician practices to improve quality performance and care coordination across the health continuum.
A native of Canada, Carmela earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto and her Masters in Health Services Administration from D’Youville University where she is currently completing her Doctoral Degree in Health Administration.
Carmela has held various administrative positions in home and community based care, acute care, long-term care, and the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) Ontario Ministry of Health.

Christina Eyman, DBH, MHA

Behavioral Health Integration Manager

The Council on Recovery

Joe Parks, MD

Chief Medical Officer

firsthand

Medical Director

National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Joe Parks, M.D., currently serves as Chief Medical Officer at firsthand and Medical Director for the National Council. Dr. Parks is a distinguished research professor of science at Missouri Institute of Mental Health with the University of Missouri, St. Louis. He also practices outpatient psychiatry at Family Health Center, a federally funded community health center established to expand services to uninsured and underinsured patients in Columbia, Mo.
Dr. Parks is the national behavioral health representative at large for The Joint Commission. He previously served as the director of Missouri MO HealthNet Division (Missouri Medicaid) in the Missouri Department of Social Services and was medical director for the Missouri Department of Mental Health in Jefferson City and the Division Director for the Division of Comprehensive Psychiatric Services.
Dr. Parks has conducted research and published in the areas of implementation of evidence-based medicine, pharmacy utilization management, integration of behavioral health care with general health care, and health care policy. He has received numerous awards for improving the quality of care and leadership.

Megan Raleigh LISW-S

Manager of Addiction Services County Corrections

MetroHealth

Megan Raleigh is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for MetroHealth and currently the Manager of Addiction Services for Correctional Medicine at Cuyahoga County Jail. She has been working at Cuyahoga County Jail for approximately 3 years and within the correctional field for over 10 years, including in the Ohio youth and adult prison systems. She also provides therapy in both individual and group capacities to dual diagnosis clientele in the community. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX with her BA in 2001 and her MSW in 2005.

Margaret Paroski, MD, MMM

President & CEO and Chief Medical Officer

Catholic Medical Partners

Dr. Paroski is the is the President & CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Catholic Medical Partners, an independent practice association with 900 physician members. A board certified neurologist, Dr. Paroski has held various administrative positions including Medical Director at Erie County Medical Center; Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs & Admissions and Interim Vice President of Health Affairs and Interim Dean at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo; and Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Kaleida Health. She began her medical career at the Buffalo VA Medical Center and held hospital appointments at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Kaleida Health, and Erie County Medical Center. In addition to her clinical and leadership roles, Dr. Paroski has been a faculty member in the Neurology department at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences for the past 38 years.
As President & CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Catholic Medical Partners, Dr. Paroski leads clinical integration and standardization efforts and physician relations among the organization’s medical and specialty practices. She is also responsible for engaging physician members in population health initiatives and value based payment model adaptation.

Barry Stelmach

Chief Financial Officer

Catholic Medical Partners

Barry Stelmach is the Chief Financial Officer for Catholic Medical Partners, the largest network of independent practice physicians in Buffalo, NY, with nearly 900 physician members. He is responsible for the overall financial operations and leads payor negotiations for the organization. Barry also oversees the development and evaluation of risk contracts between payors and providers for all lines of business. He has played a significant role in preparing practices for the shift from fee- for-service to value-based care and risk-based contracts.
A native of Buffalo, NY, Barry earned his undergraduate degrees in Accounting and Economics and a Master of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Amanda Brown

Vice President - Revenue Integrity

CoventBridge Group

Amanda Brown is the Vice President of Revenue Integrity at CoventBridge Group where she provides expertise to her clients spanning Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Marketplace, Commercial and FEHB products. She is a subject matter expert in the design and implementation of effective compliance, program integrity, risk, audit, vendor oversight, and ethics programs. Amanda has a keen ability to break down silos and bring organizational collaboration to facilitate compliance with policies, laws, regulations, and risk management.

Sufian Chowdhury

Co-Founder and CEO

Kinetik

Sufian Chowdhury is a serial entrepreneur whose passion lies in improving the healthcare industry through innovative technology. Through his experience in healthcare consulting and entrepreneurship, Sufian has held multiple leadership positions in both the healthcare and startup industries. Currently, Sufian is the Co-Founder and CEO of Kinetik, a venture-backed SaaS healthcare startup based out of New York City. Kinetik is developing innovative API & Platform solutions that connect key stakeholders in the non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) industry. We envision a future in which the coordination and delivery of medical transportation will be so seamless that any patient, anywhere, can request a healthcare ride in real time. To accomplish this, we have built the nation’s largest healthcare transportation infrastructure — one that digitally connects health plans, brokers, and providers. This enhanced level of connectivity significantly improves access to care for patients. Sufian has over ten years of experience in management, fundraising, consulting, and technology, making him an excellent leader in the health tech industry. He has raised over $32 million for Kinetik to date, with Series B in the pipeline for 2025. Under his leadership, Kinetik has grown from a company that started in the back offices of a local Brooklyn- based transportation company to a nationwide, industry-leading technology powerhouse. Kinetik has been doubling in size over the last couple of years, reaching nearly 100 employees, and has 10x revenue growth over the past year. Sufian leads with empathy and a focus on Kinetik’s core values: Be Collaborative, Be Curious, Be Just.

Ray Evans

Vice President – Healthcare Sales

CoventBridge Group

Ray Evans is the Vice President of Healthcare Sales at CoventBridge Group where he is responsible for providing FWA solutions that deliver cost savings and drive efficiencies for our customers in the healthcare markets. In Ray’s more than 30-year career, he has had extensive experience working within, and servicing healthcare organizations. This experience gives him the knowledge and insight to provide the most customized and successful FWA solutions in the industry.

Clay Farris

Founder and Practice Lead

Mostly Medicaid

Clay has advised CMS administrators, state Medicaid Directors, health plan CEOs, technology COOs and a wide range of other clients in the healthcare industry. His unique blend of management consulting, project management, policy making and analytics help deliver on-time, actionable results for a wide array of business challenges. His Weekly Medicaid Roundup is read and loved by more than 10,000 professionals in the Medicaid industry. His experience includes policy making at both the federal (CMS) and state levels (State of Georgia), management consulting for large organizational change initiatives, big data solution sales and implementation and cutting-edge analytics. He currently leads key project components related to consultation design, Medicaid subject matter expertise and project management. He has a Masters in Health Policy from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg of School of Public Health and is a Certified Internal Auditor.

Harvey Karp, MD

Co-Founder

Happiest Baby

Dr. Harvey Karp is a world-renowned pediatrician and child development expert. His celebrated Happiest Baby/Happiest Toddler books and videos have guided millions of parents and are translated into 30 languages.
He is also the creator of the SNOO Smart Sleeper, a new class of responsive infant bed that adds 1-2 hours to a baby’s sleep and reduces the risk of infant sleep death by preventing dangerous rolling. SNOO has won over 20 top international honors, including the National Sleep Foundation Innovation of the Year and is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution as an iconic example of 21 st Century form and function. Dr. Karp is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the USC School of Medicine and a fellow of the AAP. He is an advocate for children’s environmental health and a board member of EWG, one of the Nation’s premiere environmental protection groups.

Stephanie Schlomer, MPH

Regulatory & Quality Strategist Regulated Markets – Health Insurance Marketplace & Medicaid

Express Scripts by Evernorth

Stephanie joined Express Scripts in August 2022. Before joining Express Scripts, she was a Policy Director at UnitedHealthcare Community & State, where she worked with UnitedHealthcare Medicaid plans across the country to identify opportunities and eliminate potential barriers from a policy perspective. Stephanie deeply understands and can navigate the nuances of regulated lines of business at both federal and state specific levels. Before entering the regulated space, Stephanie worked in the public health sector, where she wore many hats, including emergency preparedness, social determinants of health, and community education. Stephanie resides in Upstate New York with her husband and two dogs.

Tiffany Stone

Deputy Director, Medicaid Policy

Michigan Association of Health Plans

Tiffany Stone is the Deputy Director, Medicaid Policy for the Michigan Association of Health Plans (MAHP), a Lansing based organization that represents 10 health plans in Michigan.
Prior to joining, MAHP, Tiffany worked in the Medicaid Health Plan space focusing on operations and program implementation. She also served as staff within the Michigan Department of Community Health, as a Quality Analyst focused on auditing of Medicaid Health Plans.
Currently, Tiffany volunteers her time by serving on the Board for the Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance.
Tiffany earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan-Flint and her Master’s Degree in General Administration from Central Michigan University.

Kris Vilamaa

Partner and Chief Growth Officer

Mostly Medicaid

Kris Vilamaa is a Partner and Chief Growth Officer for Mostly Medicaid. Mostly Medicaid is one of the premier Medicaid consulting and marketing entities in the country, using best-in-class HHS expertise to help state and county government agencies, health plans and solution providers to navigate a wide variety of challenges. Kris was recently named one of the Top 50 Healthcare Consultants and Leaders of 2022 by The Consulting Report. Kris has led consulting engagements in twenty-three different states with hundreds of clients in his career. His experience includes improving existing solutions, bringing new solutions to market, driving innovation, growth strategy development, change management, policy assessments and operational assessments. Kris is a national thought leader on information technology in behavioral health and the use of data in integrated care models to improve care. As a consultant, he has also served as the CEO of HealthCare Perspective and Director of Behavioral Health for Germane Solutions. Prior to entering consulting in 2015, Kris served in state government for fifteen years, the last three as the Chief Information Officer for the Alabama Department of Mental Health.