Joel Hornberger, MHS

Joel Hornberger is the Chief Strategy Officer and National Training and Consulting Director at Cherokee Health Systems, a federally-qualified community health center and community mental health center in Tennessee. In this position, he is responsible for developing and executing the strategic direction of Cherokee, including strategic planning, mergers, acquisitions and new business development. He also provides practice consulting, focusing on integrated care, practice transformation, innovation, and alternative payment strategies. He consults extensively with national clients regarding integrated care operations, execution, integrated care financial sustainability, and value-based contracting. Previously, Joel served as Cherokee’s Chief Operating Officer for 25 years, handling the day-to-day operations of its 46 integrated care practice sites across the State. (www.cherokeehealth.com). Prior to joining Cherokee Health Systems, Joel worked in managed care at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Hospital Corporation of America (HCA Health Plans) and Partners National Health Plan. In these positions, he worked on HMO start-ups, managed care and cost containment strategies. Joel earned a Master’s Degree in Health Services Administration at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. He completed a 2-year, Kellogg-funded International Health Leadership Fellowship in the International Center for Health Leadership Development at the University of Illinois Chicago.