This national initiative strengthens the leadership capacity of Medicaid directors and their teams to advance policy that positively impacts the health of their states’ residents.
Hamilton, NJ, September 5, 2024 – The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) today announced that six Medicaid directors — from Arizona, Georgia, New Mexico, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin — have been competitively selected to participate in the Medicaid Leadership Institute (MLI). Since 2009, CHCS has directed this Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded initiative, providing Medicaid directors and their leadership teams nationwide with valuable training to enhance the skills and expertise necessary to successfully lead their Medicaid programs, impact key health outcomes, and advance health equity.
“Medicaid directors and their leadership teams have a unique opportunity to advance health equity across the nation by ensuring millions of people who use Medicaid can access care and services critical to their health and well-being,” said Aingyea Fraser, program officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “By investing in the development of these state leaders, we seek to support drivers of change who can generate innovation in a program essential for those facing significant social, economic, and other barriers to health.”
Medicaid directors chosen for the MLI Class of 2025 are:
- Carmen Heredia, Arizona
- Stuart Portman, Georgia
- Dana Flannery, New Mexico
- Emily Zalkovsky, Texas
- Monica Ogelby, Vermont
- Bill Hanna, Wisconsin
This new class of MLI marks the 14th group of Medicaid directors chosen for this prestigious executive training opportunity. With this new class, 83 directors from 47 Medicaid agencies have participated in the program since 2009. It is directed by Mark Larson, senior vice president at CHCS, former Vermont Medicaid director, and Class of 2014 MLI Fellow.
“Medicaid programs ensure access to crucial health services, particularly for those who face significant barriers to well-being, and Medicaid leaders play an essential role in driving its success,” said Mr. Larson. “We are thrilled to welcome this year’s class of dedicated Medicaid directors and their teams, and look forward to working with them over the next year as they lead their programs, which are so important to the well-being of millions of people across the nation.”
“MLI provides Medicaid leaders with invaluable training, empowering them with confidence, resources, and a supportive community to ensure continued innovation and success,” said Kate McEvoy, executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors and a 2016 MLI Fellow. “MLI was transformative for my career, and I can’t wait to see where the next class takes their Medicaid programs.”
During the 10-month-long program, fellows gain skills in critical areas, including individual leadership development, communication skills, relationship-building, strategic thinking, and team development. For more information about MLI, visit www.chcs.org/medicaid-leadership-institute.
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ABOUT THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION
RWJF is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime. To get there, we must work to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building, we work side-by-side with communities, practitioners, and institutions to achieve health equity faster and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or on Facebook at www.rwjf.org/facebook.
ABOUT THE CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE STRATEGIES
The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) is a policy design and implementation partner devoted to improving outcomes for people enrolled in Medicaid. CHCS supports partners across sectors and disciplines to make more effective, efficient, and equitable care possible for millions of people across the nation. For more information, visit www.chcs.org.
Banner Photo (clockwise from top-left): Carmen Heredia (Arizona), Stuart Portman (Georgia), Dana Flannery (New Mexico), Bill Hanna (Wisconsin), Monica Ogelby (Vermont), and Emily Zalkovsky (Texas).
