CHCS - Key Persons
Abena Ohene-Ntow, MPH, is a senior program officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she primarily supports CHCS projects related to leadership and capacity building, including leadership training and technical assistance for Medicaid staff, as well as partnering state agencies. She also works on maternal health projects, with a particular focus on equitable Medicaid doula coverage.
Prior to joining CHCS, Abena served as the director of student affairs and wellbeing at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine where she was responsible for managing policies and procedures, operations, personnel hiring, and student compliance for student affairs and well-being activities. She also worked at EmPoWER Somerset as the director of health and wellness leading the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's local Drug-Free Communities Support Program and New Jersey's Coordinated School Health initiative. With both projects, she collaborated with community partners to prevent substance misuse and improve health and wellness among youth.
Abena holds a master's degree in public health from Boston University School of Public Health and a bachelor's degree in community health from George Mason University.
While not at work, Abena enjoys watching terrible reality TV show drama, loudly singing Beyoncé songs, organizing activities at her church, and pretending that she likes to go out for walks.
Alexandra Kruse, MSG, MHA, is a senior fellow at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). She focuses on initiatives related to reforming state long-term services and supports systems (LTSS) and integrating care for individuals dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid.
Prior to joining CHCS, Ms. Kruse spent seven years working on Medicaid LTSS programs and policy development in Florida, and two years as a public policy manager for a national health plan, where she provided consultative and analytics support on Medicare-Medicaid integration, LTSS, and quality measurement. In her work with the state of Florida, Ms. Kruse served as chief for the nursing home and home- and community-based services eligibility and pre-admission screening bureau and also directed Florida's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. She began her career in California working as a provider of nursing facility and assisted living services.
Ms. Kruse has master's degrees in gerontology and health administration, a certificate in long-term care administration, and a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from the University of Southern California.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- President
Allison Hamblin, MSPH, is president and CEO at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), a nationally recognized nonprofit policy resource center devoted to improving outcomes for people enrolled in Medicaid. In this role, she is responsible for the overall strategy and management of the organization, which is supported by the nation's leading health care philanthropies, corporate community benefit programs, states, and the federal government. She oversees CHCS' national portfolio, including Medicaid leadership and capacity building activities; delivery system and payment reform efforts to promote accountable care and improve population health; and projects focused on advancing effective care models for people with complex medical, behavioral health, and social needs.
Prior to her appointment as CEO in 2019, Allison served as senior vice president responsible for program development and organizational oversight. Over 15 years at CHCS, Allison has worked directly with state Medicaid, federal, health plan, and provider stakeholders across the nation to develop and test new solutions for enhancing care delivery for populations with complex health and social needs. In particular, she has substantial expertise in the areas of physical and behavioral health integration; alternative payment and delivery models for people with complex needs; innovative financing strategies to support social service investments; and return on investment.
Before joining CHCS in 2006, Allison worked at Apax Partners, Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co., where she provided venture capital and investment banking services to companies in the health care and technology industries. She holds a master's degree in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a bachelor's degree in biology from Duke University.
When not thinking about health policy and CHCS' future, Allison loves watching her kids play youth sports (and her husband coaching them), hanging out with her fluffy and playful dog, dreaming of her next trip to the Tetons, and trying to maintain some semblance of a workout routine.
Andrew Spencer, MPA, is a program associate at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) where he supports projects related to improving care for people with complex health and social needs, as well as efforts to advance innovative care delivery and payment models.
Prior to joining CHCS, Andrew was a policy and market analyst at Eviset, where he supported the development of data-driven tools to improve partnerships and contracting between the health and social care sectors. As part of this role, he provided technical assistance to community-based organizations in California seeking support in accessing cross-sector partnerships through the CalAIM Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) initiative. Andrew also previously served as a Future Leaders intern within the Office of MaineCare Services, where he supported policy development focused on population health improvement and care management.
Andrew holds a master's degree in public administration from New York University, with a specialization in health policy analysis. He earned his bachelor's degree in justice and peace studies and political science from the University of St. Thomas.
While not at work, Andrew enjoys being outside, catching up with friends, any chance to take a train somewhere, and joining pickup soccer games.
Anna Benyo, MPP, is a senior program officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she manages the MassHealth Care Planning Learning Collaborative, which engages accountable care organizations and community partners in Massachusetts to work on shared care planning processes to improve care coordination for members with complex health and social needs. Anna also works to advance the priorities of community health workers and promotores (CHW/Ps) by authoring resources and providing strategic thinking on how managed care plans can support the increased use of CHW/Ps as part of a vital workforce in California. She also co-leads an initiative to document state policy changes to provide doula benefits in New Jersey Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare.
Prior to joining CHCS, Anna served as a senior policy analyst at the National Women's Law Center. In this capacity, she worked on federal and state implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). She also designed and led a multi-state learning collaborative, State of Women, that provided technical assistance to advance gender and health equity and served as a consultant on a multi-state regulatory oversight project designed to ensure compliance with insurance reforms enacted under the ACA.
In previous roles, Anna held positions at a large network of community health centers headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and a New York City Department of Health and Human Services grant-funded project at the Harm Reduction Coalition to implement evidenced-based HIV and hepatitis C prevention interventions at community-based organizations.
Anna holds a master's degree in health policy and social justice from New York University. She received a bachelor's degree in English and legal studies from New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study.
Outside of work, Anna enjoys visiting with her sister and three brothers, watching her 10 nieces and nephews grow, and snuggling her own two young children. And, if there is a quiet moment, she enjoys reading a good book.
Anna Spencer, MPH, is a senior program officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, Anna directs work focused on uncovering best practices related to authentic consumer engagement between health care organizations and the communities they serve. She is currently leading a learning collaborative with New York to help health care organizations partner with patients and communities of color to advance health equity efforts. In addition, Anna is supporting Texas managed care organizations in designing and implementing interventions to address health-related social needs. Previously, Anna co-led work on a national effort that sought to uncover the core elements and success factors of community-based organization and health care partnerships to address the social issues that influence health outcomes.
Prior to joining CHCS, Anna was a qualitative researcher and health policy analyst at the Urban Institute studying payment and delivery system reforms aimed at improving health care quality and reducing costs. She previously worked for Grantmakers In Health, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to supporting the field of health philanthropy. She also worked as a program manager at the National Conference of State Legislatures providing technical assistance to state legislators and legislative staff, and for eight years served as the managing editor of State Health Notes.
Anna holds a master's degree in public health from Columbia University's Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health.
Hailing from the pacific northwest, Anna is an avid hiker and skier and spends as much time as possible outdoors.
Anne Smithey, MPH, is a program officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role she supports initiatives designed to advance payment and delivery system reform in Medicaid. Her current projects include the Medicaid Primary Care Population-Based Payment Learning Collaborative, which provides technical assistance to states implementing population-based payment in primary care, and Advancing Health Equity, which supports multi-stakeholder teams that are developing integrated care delivery and payment transformation approaches to promote more equitable care and outcomes.
Prior to joining CHCS, Anne worked as a research and evaluation intern at The Commonwealth Fund where she supported internal evaluation efforts and assisted with policy research. She has also interned in a variety of other health care-related positions, focusing both on quality of care and access to health insurance.
Anne holds a master's degree in public health from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, with a certificate in health policy analysis. She earned her bachelor's degree in health science from Northeastern University.
While not at work, Anne enjoys running, trying new recipes, and playing unnecessarily complicated board games.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Child and Family Health
Ashley Jasko, MSW, LSW, is a program associate at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she supports initiatives focused on improving care for people with complex health and social needs and individuals who require long-term services and supports.
Prior to joining CHCS, Ashley worked as a contact tracing supervisor where she managed a team of contact tracers in Somerset County, New Jersey, as they called individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 and their close contacts to reduce the spread of the virus. While earning her master's in social work, Ashley interned with a primary care provider for older adults through Atlantic Health System and a high school counseling office in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Ashley also worked as a case manager at Alternatives, Inc. where she helped clients with serious mental illness navigate their health care and social service needs.
Ashley holds a master's degree in social work with a certification in aging and health, and a bachelor's degree in psychology, both from Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
In her spare time, Ashley enjoys practicing yoga, reading a good book, cooking, and getting outside for daily walks.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Communications Assistant
- Communications
Brandon Petit-Homme is a communications assistant at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, Brandon supports a wide range of communications activities, including drafting promotional messaging, coordinating CHCS' social media presence, and managing website content.
Prior to joining CHCS, Brandon did volunteer work for the Luca John Foundation, a Princeton-based nonprofit dedicated to helping families who have lost an infant by providing bereavement services and financial assistance with funeral/burial expenses. Brandon served as a public relations volunteer for the foundation, where he supported a range of media and PR campaign activities.
Brandon holds a bachelor's degree in media communications with a minor in Africana studies from the University of Delaware.
In his free time, Brandon enjoys exploring nature trails on his bike and hiking with his family. On rainy days, you'll find him inside watching his favorite YouTubers, brainstorming ideas for one of many fictional stories, or just playing a good video game.
Job Titles:
- Director of Aging and Disability Policy
Carrie Graham, PhD is the director of aging and disability policy at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she oversees CHCS' portfolio of work to improve care delivery for older adults and people with disability who need long-term services and supports (LTSS).
Dr. Graham has been working in the field of aging and disability research, health policy, and evaluation for 20 years. Prior to CHCS, she was an adjunct professor at the Institute for Health and Aging at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). In that role she was the principal investigator of several studies examining how different aspects of health reform in California have impacted health care and LTSS for seniors and people with disabilities, including most recently a mixed-methods evaluation of California's efforts to integrate care for dually eligible beneficiaries in managed care delivery systems. She also evaluated consumer-directed organizations that work to promote aging in communities. Dr. Graham specializes in using a participatory evaluation approach that privileges the voices and experiences of consumers and stakeholders in all phases of evaluation.
In 2018, she spent the year in Washington DC as a health and aging policy fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Health Subcommittee. In this role, she worked on Medicare policy including prescription drug pricing, skilled nursing facilities, post-acute care, surprise billing, and Federal financing options for LTSS. After returning to California in 2019, she was a senior policy advisor to Governor Newsom's Master Plan for Aging.
Dr. Graham holds a doctorate in medical sociology from UCSF and a master's degree in gerontological studies from the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University. She obtained her bachelor's degree from University of California, San Diego in sociology and African studies.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Coordinator
- Finance and Operations, Program
Ceil Shirley is an administrative coordinator at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she provides administrative support to initiatives focused on aging and disability and delivery system and payment reform.
Prior to joining CHCS, Ceil held positions as an executive assistant and senior administrative assistant in the legal and health care divisions of Munich Re-Insurance America. Ceil has a wealth of experience as an administrative professional having worked in the industry for more than 20 years.
Job Titles:
- Communications
- Senior Communications Officer
Charlie Thaxton is a senior communications officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). He provides communications oversight and editorial support for CHCS initiatives related to health equity and community and family engagement, while helping expand the reach and visibility of CHCS' work overall. He is interested in the intersections of health and social equity, mental and behavioral health, community connectedness, and well-being.
Prior to joining CHCS, Charlie worked for a decade across the nonprofit sector in development, communications, research, and editorial roles, including positions at the grant maker, National Philanthropic Trust; SteegeThomson Communications; The Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a public policy think tank; and the academic database, JSTOR.
He also works with Social Ventures Partners Philadelphia, a volunteer partnership offering general operating support and skills-based engagement to Philadelphia nonprofits confronting intergenerational poverty, including through areas like criminal justice reform and re-entry services, youth engagement, and workforce development.
Charlie is originally from Maine and graduated from Bates College with a bachelor's degree in U.S. history and English literature. He enjoys movies, baseball, Wikipedia rabbit holes, and spending time outdoors, especially via bicycle.
Job Titles:
- Director, Complex Care Programs
Courtney Roman, MA, is a senior program officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), where she works on initiatives related to improving care delivery and financing for individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and those requiring long-term services and supports. Courtney leads a variety of CHCS projects, including a learning collaborative of Medi-Cal managed care plans committed to improving member advisory committees, efforts around strengthening the direct care workforce, and supporting Medicaid agencies to integrate beneficiaries more meaningfully into policy and program design and implementation.
Prior to joining CHCS, Courtney was a patient and family engagement manager at the National Partnership for Women & Families, in Washington, D.C. Her work included building a nationwide network of patients, family caregivers, and advocates that partnered with the Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation at Yale University to shape health care quality outcomes measures and provide technical assistance to members of the network. She also provided technical assistance to patients, families, advocates, and providers involved in Affordable Care Act-related programs and demonstrations across the country to help them better collaborate to achieve quality improvement goals.
Courtney holds a master's degree in sociology from The American University. She earned her bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Delaware.
While not at work, Courtney enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and daughter at their home in Virginia.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Program Assistant
Dana Robertson is a program assistant at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role she supports CHCS projects focused on populations with complex physical, behavioral health, and social needs.
Prior to joining CHCS, Dana served as an executive assistant in the public accounting and financial industries. She has over 10 years of professional experience in operations management, human resources, client relations, and general administrative operations.
Dana has a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in criminal justice from Montclair State University.
While not at work, Dana enjoys spending time with her many fur babies, exploring flea markets, baking, and reading.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator
- Finance and Operations
- Travel and Conference Coordinator
Darlene Sturman is a travel and conference coordinator at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, Darlene manages the logistics for all CHCS meetings and coordinates travel arrangements for all CHCS staff.
Darlene's varied background in the pharmaceutical and consumer product industries provides a strong foundation for her role at CHCS. Prior to joining CHCS, she was a project coordinator at Bristol-Myers Squibb and consulted with Church & Dwight as a sales coordinator with a focus on meetings and events.
Darlene has an associate degree in business administration from Middlesex County College.
Outside of work, Darlene loves spending time traveling, bird watching, hiking, gardening, and enjoying all that nature has to offer.
Disha Williams, MPH, is a program officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role she supports CHCS projects related to population health, with a particular focus on fostering partnerships and meaningful engagement between Medicaid agencies and community stakeholders, including patients and families.
Prior to joining CHCS, Disha worked as a research associate at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute, where she oversaw community programming initiatives under the Philadelphia Autism Project and Autism Services, Education, Research and Training (ASERT) Collaborative. Disha has experience partnering with disability support and social service organizations to promote cross-sector learning and strategic planning, as well as developing resources and navigation efforts to support professionals, families, and individuals on the autism spectrum. In her previous roles, at Partnership for Community Supports and the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center, Disha supported individuals on the autism spectrum, with intellectual disabilities, and other developmental disabilities through case management services and school-based behavioral interventions.
Disha holds a master's degree in public health from the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, with a concentration in global health and a minor in maternal and child health. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Rutgers University.
In her free time, Disha enjoys trying out new restaurants and cuisines, TV and movie marathons, and spending time with friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Associate
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Communications
- Multimedia Design Associate
Emily Gold is a multimedia design associate at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, Emily assists with design for various publications (e.g., briefs, fact sheets, reports), infographics, social media graphics, and website assets. She also provides support with photo editing, video production, presentation design, print production, and any other creative design needs that arise.
In her previous role, Emily was a graphic designer for US HealthConnect, where she created social graphics and digital ads, event signs, presentation decks, and video graphics to support the company's educational content/programming for health care professionals. Emily also served as a visual arts teaching fellow with ArtistYear AmeriCorps, where she had a blast teaching art to K-8 students and supporting her school's extracurricular arts programming.
Emily holds a bachelor's degree in graphic design from Drexel University with minors in marketing and fine arts.
Outside of work, Emily is an avid Zumba dancer and fitness class attendee. Emily currently resides in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, where she spends time dog-sitting and playing with her two cats, Coco and Knuckles (yes, he has thumbs!). One of Emily's favorite pastimes is hosting/attending game nights with friends and family. She is usually at the ready with a fruit tray or charcuterie board!
Emma Rauscher, MPH, is a program associate at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she supports CHCS initiatives focused on Medicare and Medicaid integration, long-term services and supports, and population health. She currently supports projects focused on building cross-sector partnerships within states to develop multisector plans for aging; bridging public health and Medicaid agencies to advance health equity; and nursing home reform.
Prior to joining CHCS, Emma interned at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene developing public health detailing action kits for chronic disease prevention and health equity promotion. Previously, she interned at VNS Health supporting public policy and strategy efforts related to health equity, payment reform, home care workforce development, and community engagement. She also has a background in grassroots advocacy related to women's global health issues and sexual/interpersonal violence prevention at Miami University.
Emma holds a master's degree in public health with a health policy concentration from New York University's School of Global Public Health. She earned her bachelor's degrees in both public health and strategic communication from Miami University-Oxford.
In her time outside of CHCS, Emma enjoys doing all types of outdoor activities, traveling, practicing yoga, seeing live music, reading, and crafting.
Greg Howe is a senior fellow at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, he works with Medicaid leaders, health plans, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and other providers to develop payment and delivery system models to meet the health care needs of Medicaid beneficiaries. Greg's efforts include advancing value-based payment arrangements for FQHCs, enhancing the ability of primary care providers to deliver specialty care to patients in their communities, and helping states implement payment and delivery system reforms through managed care. Greg has provided technical assistance for projects such as the Value-Based Payment Technical Support for Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program, the Project ECHO Medicaid Learning Collaborative, and California's Alternative Payment Methodology Pilot.
Before joining CHCS in 2012, Greg served as a senior health care analyst for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Service's Office of Medical Assistance Programs. Previously, he spent eight years as director of planning and administration in Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell's Office of Health Care Reform. In this role, he coordinated health policy development among the Departments of Health, Human Services, Aging, and Insurance, and was responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of the Governor's Chronic Care/Patient Centered Medical Home Initiative. He also worked as a government relations representative at Kaiser Permanente; a legislative aide for Alameda County California Supervisor Wilma Chan; and a district director for California State Assemblyman Michael Sweeney.
Greg has a bachelor's degree in international relations from Juniata College.
While not at work, Greg enjoys spending time with his family, studying liberation theology, cycling, swimming, and running.
Hadley Fitzgerald, MSW, is a senior program officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), where she provides strategic consultation and technical assistance for behavioral health initiatives related to populations with complex health and social needs, including the Better Care Playbook.
Prior to joining CHCS, Hadley worked at The Council of State Governments Justice Center, where she provided technical assistance related to enhancing collaborations between behavioral health and criminal legal system partners, and at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she supported the implementation of several new Medicaid initiatives, including health homes. She started her career as a forensic social worker at Brooklyn Defender Services.
Hadley holds a master's degree in social work from Hunter College, as well as a bachelor's degree in history from New York University.
Henry Claypool has 30+ years of experience developing and implementing disability policy at the federal, state, and local level. He is the former director of the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office on Disability and a founding principal deputy administrator of the Administration for Community Living.
Mr. Claypool served as a presidentially appointed member of the Federal Commission on Long-Term Care, advising Congress on how long-term care can be better provided and financed for the nation's older adults and people with disabilities, now and in the future. He also served as executive vice president of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), which promotes equal opportunity, economic power, independent living and political participation for people with disabilities. He is an affiliated faculty member at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, a technology policy consultant for AAPD, and principal of Claypool Consulting.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant
- Finance and Operations
Holly Crane is an executive assistant at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she provides administrative support to CHCS' president, senior management, and initiatives focused on child and family health.
Prior to joining CHCS, Ms. Crane served as an office manager at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens in Princeton, New Jersey.
Job Titles:
- Program Associate
- Member of the National Association
Jade Kissi, MPH, is a program associate at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she provides project support and research assistance on initiatives focused primarily on improving early childhood health outcomes, including Accelerating Child Health Transformation and Aligning Early Childhood and Medicaid. She also supports an initiative providing strategic planning and technical assistance to New Jersey's Medicaid program.
Jade recently participated in a research fellowship, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, to perform a systematic literature review on identifying gaps in research related to structural racism within the criminal justice system and how it directly impacts the health of racial minorities within the United States. She also completed a six-month internship at Boston Children's Hospital's Department of Accountable Care and Clinical Integration, the unit responsible for the management of the hospital's accountable care organization and efforts to integrate primary and specialty care.
Jade earned a master's of public health in healthcare management from Boston University and a bachelor's degree in the sociology of health and medicine from the University of Michigan.
Jade is an active member of the National Association of Healthcare Executives (NAHSE), an organization dedicated to the stewardship and development of Black health care leaders, and the first scholarship winner for the NAHSE Connecticut Chapter.
Outside of her professional duties, Jade enjoys spending time with her family, tending to her vegetable garden, traveling, going to concerts, singing in her church choir, teaching Sunday school, and cooking and dancing to afrobeats and reggaeton!
Jahira Sterling, MPA, is a program associate at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she supports CHCS projects related to health equity, adults with complex health and social needs, and population health and prevention, including the Partnerships for Action: California Health Care & Homelessness Learning Collaborative.
Prior to joining CHCS, Jahira held a range of internships during her undergraduate and graduate career. Most recently, she interned with the Division of Student Affairs at Rutgers University-Newark as a graduate coordinator for the Office of New Student and Family Programs, where she provided mentorship and campus resources to new students and their families. Jahira also interned with the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (NJLBCF) where she served as a congressional intern. In this role, she supported District 22, located in Plainfield, New Jersey, and worked closely with Assemblywoman Linda Carter and her team. During her time with NJLBCF, Jahira developed experience within the political arena, established relationships with New Jersey constituents, and gained essential skills through networking opportunities and workshops. (She even got to meet Governor Murphy and be in a commercial with him!)
Jahira holds a master's degree in public administration with a health care administration concentration and a bachelor's of social work, both from Rutgers University-Newark.
In her spare time, Jahira enjoys watching thriller and horror movies, writing, going to sip and paints, and walks in the park.
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor, Department of Government, Cornell University
Jamila Michener, PhD, MA is an associate professor in the Department of Government at Cornell University. She is co-director of the Cornell Center for Health Equity and board Chair for the Cornell Prison Education Program. Her research focuses on the politics of poverty, racial inequality, and public policy in the United States. In particular, her work explores the conditions under which economically and racially disadvantaged groups engage in the political process, the effects of that engagement, and the role of the state in shaping the political and economic trajectories of marginalized communities. Her book, Fragmented Democracy: Medicaid, Federalism and Unequal Politics examines how Medicaid - the nation's public health insurance program for people with low income - affects democratic citizenship. Unpacking how federalism transforms Medicaid beneficiaries' interpretations of government and structures their participation in politics, Fragmented Democracy assesses American political life from the vantage point(s) of those who are living in or near poverty, (disproportionately) Black or Latino, and reliant on a federated government for vital resources.
Dr. Michener's research has been supported by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, the Russell Sage Foundation, the National Science Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Ford Foundation. She received her MA and PhD from the University of Chicago and her undergraduate degree from Princeton University. Prior to working at Cornell, she was a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Scholar at the University of Michigan.
Job Titles:
- Director, Rush BMO Institute for Health Equity at Rush University Medical Center
John A. Rich, MD, MPH, is director of the Rush BMO Institute for Health Equity (RuBHIE) at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. The mission of RuBHIE is to build, evaluate and sustain scalable approaches to improving health and eliminating health inequities. Dr. Rich's work focuses on issues of urban violence, trauma, and health inequities, particularly as they affect the health of men of color. In 2006, Dr. Rich was awarded a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship in recognition of his work to design "new models of health care that stretch across the boundaries of public health, education, social service, and justice systems to engage young men in caring for themselves and their peers."
Prior to joining Drexel University, Dr. Rich served as the medical director of the Boston Public Health Commission, where he led the city's initiatives on Men's Health, Cancer, Cardiovascular Health and Health Disparities. As a primary care doctor at Boston Medical Center, he created the Young Men's Health Clinic and initiated the Boston HealthCREW, a program to train inner city young men as peer health educators. His book about urban violence, Wrong Place, Wrong Time: Trauma and Violence in the Lives of Young Black Men, shares stories of trauma and healing.
Dr. Rich earned his BA degree in English from Dartmouth College, his MD from Duke University School of Medicine, and his MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health. He completed his internship and residency in primary care internal medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and a fellowship in general internal medicine at the Harvard Medical School. In 2009, Dr. Rich was elected to the National Academy of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. In addition to the Center for Health Care Strategies, Dr. Rich also serves on the board of Trust for America's Health.
Jordan Carl, MPH, is a program associate at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she supports a variety of projects related to child and family health, including CHCS' technical assistance efforts to support Michigan's children's behavioral health transformation initiative.
Prior to joining CHCS, Jordan worked with West Philly Promise Neighborhood supporting its data and implementation teams to strengthen cradle-to-career pathways for children who live and go to school in West Philadelphia. She drafted community-facing briefs describing the neighborhood context based on publicly available data and worked with community resident researchers to determine the impacts of stress and public assistance programs on child fruit and vegetable consumption in West Philadelphia. Jordan also co-facilitated community workshops on using data for systems change.
Jordan holds a master's of public health degree in community health and prevention from Drexel University. She earned her bachelor's degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from Hendrix College.
In her free time, Jordan enjoys starting her day off with a run, exploring Philadelphia via bike, and baking to satisfy her sweet tooth.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Senior Vice President, Program and Strategic Planning
Kamala Allen, MHS, is the senior vice president for program and strategic planning at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In these roles, Kamala ensures the effectiveness and efficiency of the organizational infrastructure that supports programs, as well as oversees CHCS' child-focused efforts, including the direction and financial management of several multi-year initiatives. She has extensive experience in the application of quality improvement methodologies and the use of managed care in public child-serving systems. Kamala also leads CHCS' internal strategic and annual planning efforts, as well as external projects supporting strategic planning within state government agencies.
Kamala has served in previous roles at CHCS, including as chief of staff, associate director for special projects for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Medicaid Managed Care Program, and associate director for program analysis and communications. Prior to joining CHCS, Kamala was a program analyst in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Maternal and Child Health Bureau's Office of Program Development, and project coordinator for the Centers for Disease Control's Maryland Center for Adolescent Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, where she co-developed and oversaw the implementation of a school-based health promotion curriculum in two Baltimore middle schools.
Kamala serves as a member of several advisory and expert panels. She is also a member of the National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health Board of Directors, the Newark School of the Arts Board of Trustees, and the Children's Oncology Group Patient Advisory Committee.
Kamala holds a master of health science in maternal and child health from the Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Hygiene and Public Health. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology with a concentration in developmental disabilities from the University of California at Los Angeles. Kamala also holds several certifications in nonprofit management.
When not at work, Kamala is busy raising awareness about pediatric cancer, doing community service through Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., or serving as a Registered Parliamentarian.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Complex Care Delivery
Karla Silverman, MS, RN, CNM, is the associate director of complex care delivery at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) with more than 20 years of experience in the health care field. In her role at CHCS, Karla leads initiatives that help organizations develop and provide person-centered, integrated care for people with complex health and social needs. She also leads the MassHealth Care Planning Learning Collaborative, which supports partnerships between Medicaid accountable care organizations and community providers across the state of Massachusetts.
Karla began her career as a certified nurse-midwife - providing primary, reproductive, and prenatal care at Community Healthcare Network, a federally qualified health center in New York City. Later, she served as clinical director at Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic where she oversaw clinical operations and training for 12 health centers.
Before joining CHCS, Karla was a program director at Primary Care Development Corporation, where she led a team that created a nationally respected training and technical assistance program in care coordination and care management.
Karla holds a master of science in midwifery and a bachelor's of science of nursing, both from Columbia University. She also earned a bachelor's degree in theater arts and history from Brown University. Currently, she is also an adjunct professor at the New York University School of Global Public Health where she teaches a graduate course on value-based care.
Kathy Moses, MPH, is a senior fellow at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she provides technical assistance and strategic consultation to state Medicaid agencies as they develop, implement, measure, and evaluate health care initiatives aimed at improving quality of care for people with complex needs. Ms. Moses' particular areas of expertise are in care management, supportive housing, physical/behavioral health integration, and quality improvement for individuals with complex needs.
Ms. Moses also oversees federally supported technical assistance activities to help states develop and implement Medicaid health home strategies and also works closely with state, federal, and housing agencies, including the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Corporation for Supportive Housing to develop effective options for Medicaid to finance supportive housing.
Prior to joining CHCS, Ms. Moses worked on a variety of health care issues for the State of Indiana. Most recently, as the director of chronic disease for Indiana's Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning, she developed and implemented the Indiana Chronic Disease Management Program. Prior to leading this initiative, she served as the director of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Ms. Moses began her career in public service as the manager for the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System at the Indiana Department of Health's Epidemiology Resource Center.
Ms. Moses holds a master's degree in public health from the Indiana University School of Medicine. She earned her bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry from Valparaiso University.
Kelly Church, MPH, is a program associate at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she supports initiatives related to child and family health, including the Mobilizing for New Jersey's Children and Families: Preventing, Protecting, and Healing from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) project where she supports the efforts of New Jersey's Office of Resilience to implement a statewide ACEs Action Plan. Kelly also supports projects related to the coordination of services for youth with behavioral health needs, specifically youth transitioning out of foster care. Additionally, Kelly works on a project that is identifying best practices for health care organizations seeking to better engage the communities they serve.
A former program assistant at CHCS, Kelly rejoined the organization after working as a program associate at Sellers Dorsey where she focused on New Jersey Medicaid policy and assisted in efforts aimed at identifying innovative payment designs for increasing provider reimbursement. In this role, Kelly performed project management tasks and developed materials to drive conversations geared toward increasing access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries.
Kelly holds a master's in public health from Drexel University. She earned her bachelor's degree in public health with a focus on community health education from Stockton University.
In her spare time, Kelly enjoys being a Funtie (the fun aunt - like a mom, but way cooler), taking her niece for ice cream dates and to the park for some recreational fun!
Job Titles:
- Contracts Officer
- Finance and Operations
- Senior Grants and Contracts Officer
Kim Malyar is a senior grants and contracts officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, Kim supports the finance team and the program managers with the development of contracts and requests for proposals.
Prior to joining CHCS, Kim served as the contracts support specialist at Roka Biosciences. She has more than 25 years of professional experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and consumer product industries with varied roles and responsibilities, including global product marketing leader and North America pricing manager.
Kim attended Middlesex County College.
When not at work, Kim enjoys spending time with her family in Massachusetts, gardening, and training her rescue pup, Darla.
Job Titles:
- Director, Leadership and Capacity Building
Lauren Moran, MPP, is the director of leadership and capacity building at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she has worked with Medicaid programs and teams in over 30 states and territories on topics related to Medicaid policy and operations, organizational and staff capacity building, and leadership development. She oversees a portfolio of leadership and capacity building programs including CHCS' state-based policy and leadership training academies for state Medicaid and health and human services staff, as well as the Medicaid Pathways Program, a leadership program designed to bolster the capacity of senior Medicaid staff to effectively lead a complex organization like Medicaid and impact organizational goals. This also includes Equity Changemakers Institute, a leadership development program for public sector leaders who have significant oversight over agency efforts to advance health equity.
Lauren also co-leads the Medicaid Leadership Institute, which provides training to Medicaid directors and their staff to help enhance the skills and expertise necessary to successfully lead their Medicaid programs, impact key health outcomes, and advance health equity. She is particularly interested in how leaders build teams, adjust strategically to shifting political and health care environments, and integrate Medicaid policy with broader social policy issues at the state level.
Prior to CHCS, Lauren worked for the Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, a multidisciplinary health services research group at the University of Michigan Health System. Her work focused on understanding the pediatric provider workforce pipeline; developing pediatric quality measures under the CHIP Reauthorization Act; and providing project management support for an evaluation of Michigan's Medicaid expansion program. Lauren also completed a graduate fellowship in the Office of Strategic Policy in the Executive Office of Michigan's Governor where she staffed the Governor's task force on prescription drug and opioid misuse.
Lauren holds a master's degree in public policy from the University of Michigan, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. She earned her bachelor's degree in English language and literature from Kalamazoo College.
While not at work, Lauren enjoys hiking, traveling, and reading.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Vice President, Communications
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Senior Vice President, Leadership and Capacity Building
Job Titles:
- Head of Partnerships and Policy, Cityblock Health
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Medicare and Medicaid Integration
Job Titles:
- Administrative Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Vice President, Finance
Job Titles:
- Senior Communications Officer / Finance and Operations
Job Titles:
- Director, Delivery System and Payment Reform
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Vice President, Human Resources
Job Titles:
- Director, Behavioral Health and Child Welfare
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Long - Term Services and Supports and Disability Policy
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
Job Titles:
- Director, Population Health & Health Equity
Job Titles:
- Senior Program Consultant
Job Titles:
- Administrative Coordinator
- Administrative Coordinator / Communications
Job Titles:
- Director, Information Technology
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Executive Vice President and Chief Program Officer
Job Titles:
- Director, Program Finance