Speakers
Health Plans
Kanita Bourne, LCSW
Manager of Social and Community Services
Jacqueline Collins, RN, CPHQ, MSML
Senior Director, GA and AR Quality Improvement
Dr. Tracey Davis
Director of Pharmacy
Chris Esguerra, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Julie Joseph, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Jim Milanowski
CEO
Erica Moore-Smith, LCSW
Supervisor, Social and Community Services
Chantel Neece DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-BC, GERO-BC, CPHQ, SSBBP
Sr. Director- Maternal/Child Services & Member SDOH
Stella V. Pappas, LCSW-R, ACSW
Vice President, Behavioral Health
Graisy M. Pichardo, LMSW
Director, Behavioral Health
Mike Rapach
CEO
Rosemond Sarpong Owens, CDM/MPH
Director, Health Equity Integration
Jennifer A. Sweet
Chief Executive Officer
Marti Taylor
CEO
Gabriel Uribe, DSW
Director, Health Equity Operations
Guillermo Velez
Health Equity Administrator
Alyssa M. Ward, Ph.D., LCP
Behavioral Health Clinical Director, Virginia Medicaid Line of Business
Liz Webster, RN, MBA
Chief Health Services Oversight Officer
Gary Melis
Clinical Pharmacist
Government Agencies
Jennifer D’Angelo
Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President, Healthcare
Kevin Bagley, DHA, MBA, FACHE
Former Medicaid Director
Anthony Baize
Inspector General
Chris Barrott
Program Manager, Division of Medicaid,
Andrew C. Bledsoe
Deputy Executive Director, Office of the Inspector General
Karin E. Bleeg, MPH
Acting Director, Division of Health Innovation and Integration (DHII)
Mina Chang, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Adviser
Alexandra (Ali) Fernández, MHS,
Bureau Chief, Bureau of Long Term Care, Division of Medicaid,
Deborah Garneau, MA
Assistant Director of Health / Maternal and Child Health Director,
Sarah Hodin Krinsky, MPH
Deputy Director of Perinatal and Maternal Health Policy
Kody H. Kinsley
Secretary
Janet Mann
Deputy Director of Health and State Medicaid Director
Milla Jones
Strategic Initiatives Program Coordinator
Dorthy K. Young, Ph.D., MHSA
Chief Health Data, Operations and Research Officer
Providers
Diane Arms
Director of Community Behavioral Health
Rafi Cices
Head of BOI, Coding & Billing
Carmela Costiniuk, B.Sc. OT, MHA, D. EdD (C)
Vice President, Population Health and Clinical Transformation
Christina Eyman, DBH, MHA
Behavioral Health Integration Manager
Megan Raleigh LISW-S
Manager of Addiction Services County Corrections
Margaret Paroski, MD, MMM
President & CEO and Chief Medical Officer
Barry Stelmach
Chief Financial Officer
Industry Experts
Lindsay Ahlvers
Director, Client Services
Amanda Brown
Vice President - Revenue Integrity
Sufian Chowdhury
Co-Founder and CEO
Ray Evans
Vice President – Healthcare Sales
Clay Farris
Founder and Practice Lead
Harvey Karp, MD
Co-Founder
Alex Prough
Chief Commercial Officer
Stephanie Schlomer, MPH
Regulatory & Quality Strategist Regulated Markets – Health Insurance Marketplace & Medicaid
Tiffany Stone
Deputy Director, Medicaid Policy
Kris Vilamaa
Partner and Chief Growth Officer
Victor Sanchez
Vice President of Business Development
Sheila Talton
CEO
Jean Drummond
President
Colby Schaeffer, ASA, MAAA
Founding Partner
Speaker Details
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.
Jennifer A. Sweet
Chief Executive Officer
Aetna Better Health of FL, a CVS Health Company
Jennifer Sweet joined Aetna Better Health of Florida as CEO in February 2020. Aetna Better Health
of Florida, a CVS Health Company, holds contracts with the Florida Agency for Health Care
Administration and the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation to manage the health care for 260,000+
Medicaid and CHIP enrollees statewide. Jennifer has held Medicaid managed care leadership roles
for more than a dozen years.
From 2016 -2020, Jennifer worked for Florida Blue (aka Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida). As the
Medicaid Segment Leader for Florida Blue, Jennifer had oversight of Medicaid business-related
activities including policy, strategy, and health plan governance for Florida True Health (FTH), a
330,000 member Florida Medicaid managed care plan with topline annual revenue of $1.2B. While
in that role, GuideWell appointed Jennifer to the FTH Board, where she served as Vice Chair of the
FTH Board and co-Chair of the Board’s Executive Committee performing direct oversight of the
plan’s CEO and FTH operations.
Jennifer currently lives in Tampa, Florida. She holds an MBA in Health Care Management and Policy
from the University of Miami’s Herbert School of Business, and an MA in Political Science from the
University of Connecticut. In 2024, Jennifer joined the Board of Tampa’s University Area Community
Development Council.
Jennifer has a lifelong interest in architectural design and history and has served since 2004 on the
Board of the Lyceum Foundation, a not-for-profit private charity that sponsors an annual
competition for students of architecture in North America. The Lyceum was recognized with the
AIA’s prestigious Collaborative Achievement Award in 2015. Jennifer has served as President and
Chair of the Lyceum Board (2016 – 2020) and is currently the foundation’s Treasurer.
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.
Guillermo Velez
Health Equity Administrator
Banner University Health Plans
Guillermo Velez is the Health Equity Administrator for Banner University Health Plans. In this role,
Gil oversees Health Equity, Cultural Competency, and Community engagement. Gil joined Banner in
August 2018. Gil has over 30 years of clinical and administrative experience in behavioral health and
child welfare systems in Arizona and New York City.
Prior to joining Banner Health Plans, Guillermo was the Vice President of CPLC’s Integrated Health
and Human Services division. He had oversight of outpatient mental health programs, partial
hospitalization program, domestic violence shelter, men’s residential substance use facility, SMI
clinic and a state-wide parenting program.
Guillermo completed the Hispanic Leadership Institute program in 2018 and Valley Leadership
Catalyze program in 2022, increasing his expertise and advocacy on leadership issues affecting
minority communities in Arizona.
Mr. Velez is a strong advocate of education and has provided clinical supervision for MSW interns
and serves on the Grand Canyon University Social Work Advisory Board.
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.
Liz Webster, RN, MBA
Chief Health Services Oversight Officer
Aetna Better Health of Florida
Liz Webster is the Chief Health Services Oversight Officer at Aetna Better Health of Florida, a CVS
Health Company that manage the healthcare of over 260,000+ Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in
Florida. With more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Liz has held leadership
positions at notable organizations, including Humana, MyCare Medical Group, and Arcadian Health
Plan.
Liz resides in Florida and earned her MBA in Health Care Management and Policy from the University
of Miami’s Herbert School of Business. Liz’s commitment to healthcare extends beyond her
professional roles; she has served as a board member for the Florida Board of Nursing, the Board of
Governors for the State University System of Florida, and the March of Dimes in Broward County.
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.
Gary Melis
Clinical Pharmacist
Network Health
Gary Melis is a Clinical Pharmacist for the past six years at Network Health, a local insurance provider
in Northeast and Southeast Wisconsin. He is currently one of two pharmacists involved in making
MTM calls in-house. His responsibilities also involve NCQA, pharmacy appeals, P&T Committee,
Member and Provider relations.
Gary’s also has experience as pharmacy manager for a national long term care company, pharmacy
manager for retail pharmacy chain, and Pharmacy Director for a National Health Care provider. He
has also been a pharmacy instructor at a local medical college family practice clinic.
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.
Anthony Baize,
Inspector General,
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Anthony Baize has been the Inspector General for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services since 2016. He holds a master's degree in public administration from Indiana State University and a Certified Inspector General (CIG) credential from the Association of Inspectors General. Prior to joining Wisconsin state government, Baize was the deputy director of audits and investigations for the Office of the Inspector General for the Kentucky Cabinet of Health and Family Services.
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.
Senior Policy Adviser
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.
Deborah Garneau, MA,
Assistant Director of Health / Maternal and Child Health Director,
Rhode Island Department of Health
Deborah Garneau serves as the Deputy Director of the Division of Community Health and Equity and RI’s Maternal and Child Health Director at the RI Department of Health. Her expertise includes aligning systems, addressing structural drivers of health, incorporating authentic community engagement in all phases of public health programs, and leading initiatives that strategically plan and monitor systems change with an equity lens. She worked as a mental health clinician and administrator within child welfare prior to state service.
Sarah Hodin Krinsky, MPH
Deputy Director of Perinatal and Maternal Health Policy,
MassHealth
Sarah Hodin Krinsky (she/her) is a passionate maternal and perinatal health advocate who began her career studying women’s birth experiences in East Africa. A trained doula and childbirth educator, Sarah has served in various roles spanning the domains of academia, advocacy, program design and implementation, and policymaking. She is currently the Deputy Director of Perinatal and Maternal Health Policy at MassHealth, Massachusetts’ Medicaid and CHIP program, which covers roughly 40% of births in the Commonwealth. Sarah spends most of her spare time chasing after her toddler and dog.
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.
Lindsay Ahlvers
Director, Client Services
Vheda Health
Lindsay Ahlvers brings 13 years of healthcare experience. She drives targeted growth for current and new markets, exceeding client needs while maximizing member engagement and satisfaction. Beyond work, Lindsay cherishes life's simple pleasures: spending time with loved ones, exploring new destinations, and cheering on her Kansas State Wildcats. These experiences encapsulate her philosophy of living life to the fullest.
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.
Alex Prough
Chief Commercial Officer
MedScope
Alex brings over 13 years of experience in healthcare and health technology to his role as Chief Commercial Officer at Medical Guardian. He has a strong track record of building successful programs with hundreds of payers, providers, and senior living organizations. Before joining Medical Guardian, Alex served as Vice President of Business Development at Truepill, Inc. Prior to that, he led the payer channel at Best Buy Health, managing Medicare Advantage and Medicaid businesses while partnering with many of the nation’s largest health plans. Alex also played a pivotal role in driving growth at Critical Signal Technologies (CST), a remote monitoring company later acquired by Best Buy. He is deeply passionate about the senior health market and leads with a commitment to empowering patients and members to live life without limits.
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.
Victor Sanchez
Vice President of Business Development
CITIZ3N Government Solutions
Victor Sanchez is the Vice President of Business Development at CITIZ3N, where he oversees Sales,
Marketing, and Business Development. With over 30 years of experience in the technology sector,
he utilizes his extensive industry knowledge to guide CITIZ3N into new markets, build trust, and
strategically deliver value propositions to attract and retain key clients.
Prior to joining CITIZ3N, Victor held several leadership roles, including Senior Director of Partner and
Channel Development at LexisNexis and Executive Vice President of EDIwatch Inc., where he led
high-performing sales teams that achieved sustainable growth.
Beyond his professional career, Victor is dedicated to community engagement and philanthropy. He
serves on the Board of the NFL Alumni Association-Baltimore, supporting and mentoring former
athletes, and is involved with the Kwamie Lassiter Foundation. He also served for many years as the
Chairman of the Board for The Joel Gamble Foundation, where his leadership had a positive social
impact on the youth of Baltimore City.
Victor studied Accounting at The Ohio State University and served as a Commissioned Officer in the
U.S. Army Finance Corps during Operation Desert Shield.
Sheila Talton
CEO
Gray Matter Analytics
Sheila Talton is an innovative global leader and Big Data strategist with more than 30 years of
experience helping organizations increase value, build successful businesses within larger companies
and expand into emerging markets. She develops bold initiatives, whether through public/private
partnerships, melding company strategies with governmental objectives, obtaining buy-in for
consulting services within technology product companies or breaking down silos to create solutions
that increase customer value.
Sheila currently serves on the boards of Deere & Company, OGE Energy Corp., Chicago Shakespeare
Theater, Chicago Urban League and Sysco Corporation. She served for 10 years on the board of the
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, six years on the Wintrust Financial board and for five years at Acco
Brand Corporation. She was a founding member and chairperson of the Information Technology
Senior Management Forum.
Sheila had significant tenures at technology pioneers like Cisco Systems, EDS and Ernst & Young and
founded a consultancy that was an early leader in communications network integration. Among her
milestone achievements are:
- Development of Cisco Systems’ advisory services consulting practice
- Creation of a global strategy for Cisco in China, Brazil and Mexico, including partnerships with local governments
- Launch of a $6 billion solutions consulting practice at EDS
- Acclaim as a network integration consulting leader as CEO of Unisource Systems
Jean Drummond
President
HCD International
Dynamic, Futuristic and Committed are words that describe the President of HealthCare Dynamics
International (HCD International). Jean is a health care professional committed to improving the
quality of health for all, especially vulnerable populations. Guided by her servant leadership model,
she provides executive oversight on national, state and local quality improvement and population
health initiatives across multiple markets within the health and social service sectors.
As a clinician, she is particularly focused on strategies to translate current healthcare policy
implications and their impact on providers as they deliver care to the most vulnerable. In the midst
of a rapidly transforming healthcare delivery system, Jean assists physicians in making data-driven
health care decisions to improve their practice model. Among her many accomplishments, she has
designed and launched a proven methodology known as the Parachute Model™, a broad, macro-
level approach that targets a population in a specific geographic location to improve health
outcomes and lower cost. This methodology has been utilized for over 10 years and has contributed
to HCDI’s national success across its portfolio of services.
She began HCD International in 1991 after a successful career as a practicing clinician. In addition,
Jean believes in giving back to the community and works to support health plans to increase market
share and improve quality, every day.
Jean holds a bachelor’s degree as a Physician’s Assistant from Howard University and earned her
Master’s Degree in Public Administration in Healthcare Management from Bowie State University.
She is also a devout mother of three and wife to Dr. Jimmie Drummond, a Veteran of the US Air
Force. Recognizing her divine purpose in life, Jean realizes her success rests in giving the greatest gift
of all- love and service to mankind.
Colby Schaeffer, ASA, MAAA
Founding Partner
Incline Actuarial Group
Colby Schaeffer is an actuary who has specialized in Medicaid capitation rate development, value-based payment methodologies, strategies for multi-payer risk bearing providers, health reform modeling, and the design of analytics solutions. He co-founded Incline Actuarial Group which has nine credentialed actuaries, multiple student actuaries, and additional staffing support for actuarial modeling, healthcare executive functions, and data analytics in Medicaid and Medicare. Incline's clients include national associations, state agencies, consulting organizations, risk-bearing providers, and specialty VBC solutions.