But what exactly does whole-person care mean? Whole-person care is a unique system of care that focuses on the “big picture” of a person’s health. This philosophy takes into consideration a diverse spread of factors that contribute to the health outcomes of a person such as economic conditions, social stressors, environmental exposures, and behavioral factors in addition to physical and mental health.
On the flip side, integrated care presents a method of streamlining disjointed services and separate pockets of care to offer a comprehensive healthcare approach that considers the whole person. It involves reshaping the structure of healthcare services and organizations to enhance care accessibility, encompass various provider disciplines and entities, and foster extensive interdisciplinary collaboration.
To meet these rising demands for integrated, whole-person care models, OPEN MINDS has created the Whole-Person Care Learning Path which offers customized content and strategies to help provider organizations develop comprehensive, patient-centered care that addresses physical, mental, and social well-being.
View featured courses and sessions below to get started!
Best Practice Data-Driven Decision Making For Performance-Based Management & Compensation: The 2025 OPEN MINDS Executive Seminar
The dynamics of accelerated change in the market have created new performance challenges for health and human services organizations. This seminar will focus on the latest performance landscape and critical domains for measuring and managing business and clinical effectiveness. Health and human services organizations have unique and evolving competition in the market—from new digital-first applications demonstrating speedy access, engagement, and satisfaction with consumers to industry disrupters such as retail health clinics providing convenient access to care right where individuals shop. Showing value through data is a must have in this competitive environment, and the ability to demonstrate value through data means that organizations must also use data to drive performance improvement—clinically and administratively. In addition, leaders within organizations are challenged to make rapid course corrections, and having immediate access to the correct data has become critical to organizational success. Key objectives for this seminar will include the following:
- Look at the critical strategic performance domains and metrics for managing business and clinical health effectiveness
- Scorecard and framework for becoming a data-driven organization and for evaluating business health operations
- Decision-making model for prioritization and selection of measures
Ray Wolfe, J.D.
Raymond “Ray” Wolfe, J.D. brings over 40 years of experience in the health and human services sector to the OPEN MINDS team. Mr. Wolfe currently serves as a Senior Associate, a position in which he utilizes his expertise to successfully lead varying projects for OPEN MINDS. His areas of expertise include financial analysis and management, mergers and acquisitions, performance improvement, and strategic planning.
Before joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Wolfe served in a 22 year tenure with Pittsburgh Mercy Health System in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most recently, Mr. Wolfe served as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) where he was responsible for oversight of all system operations, strategic planning, and performance management. Under his direction Pittsburgh Mercy achieved over $850K in value-based reimbursement contract quality bonus awards, integrated three organizations through merger/acquisition, and adopted a new performance management program for managers.
Before acting as Pittsburgh Mercy’s COO, Mr. Wolfe served as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and was responsible for the development of internal costing methodologies, contract rate negotiations, and financial forecasting activities. In addition, he coordinated an integrated care program with local partner hospitals to develop a series of diversion and respite programs, as well as, specialized primary care, integrated care management and high utilizer teams, while maintaining 15 straight years profitability.
Mr. Wolfe was promoted to CFO after serving as the Director of Fiscal and Information Security/Compliance for the health system. In this role, he was responsible for managing the transition of service contracts from fee-for-service (FFS), leading all compliance activities, and implementing a next generation electronic health record (EHR) system.
Prior to his time at Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, Mr. Wolfe served as Chief Fiscal Officer with the Summit Center for Human Development in Clarksburg, West Virginia, where he was responsible for reporting and budgeting functions and preparing Summit Center’s programs for FFS billing.
Previously, Mr. Wolfe served in billing and collections for two Pennsylvania-based hospitals. First, as an Accounts Receivables Manager for Brownsville General Hospital in Brownsville, PA, where he managed the accounting and billing system transition systems. Later as a Patient Account Manager for St. Francis Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA, where he improved collections to hit 95% rate through the implementation of new billing software and department reorganization.
Prior to working in the health and human services market, Mr. Wolfe spent five years practicing as a Lawyer with at Law Offices of Arch A. Moore in Moundsville, WV. In this role he provided general legal practice, created and established bylaws for multiple corporation, and handled West Virginia licensing of first vision insurance plan.
Mr. Wolfe earned his Juris Doctor from the West Virginia University School of Law in Morgantown, WV and his Bachelor’s degree with a focus in Political Science and Sociology from West Liberty University, in Wheeling, WV, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Joe Naughton-Travers, EdM
Joe Naughton-Travers, EdM has more than 30 years of experience in the health and human service field. During his tenure as a Senior Associate with OPEN MINDS since 1998, he has served as lead of dozens of client initiatives, served as editor of OPEN MINDS publications, and is the author of many groundbreaking articles and presentations.
Mr. Naughton-Travers brings to OPEN MINDS a broad range of experiences in private and public sector delivery of behavioral health and social services. He started his career as a behavioral health clinician, working in both child welfare and community mental health clinic settings. Subsequently, Mr. Naughton-Travers held a senior business operations management position for a psychiatric hospital system and its community mental health clinics. Later, he was vice president of a firm specializing in information systems and billing and receivables management for community-based mental health programs.
Since joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Naughton-Travers has developed business solutions for provider and professional organizations, state and county government, technology companies, and venture capital firms. For the past decade, over half his consulting practice has focused on aiding organizations in technology selection and implementation, including all aspects of strategic technology planning, functional specifications development, request for proposal development, vendor selection, and contracting.
He has written numerous articles, including “Winning the Human Resource Wars: Tried, True and New Strategies for Behavioral Health and Social Service Organizations,” “Five Pillars of Management Competency,” “Data Driven Decision Making: Moving to an Organizational Measurement Culture,” “Survival of the Smartest: What is Your Organization’s Information Literacy IQ?,” and “Strategic Human Resource Management: Aligning Compensation with Employee Performance and Organizational Strategy.” Mr. Naughton-Travers is also a nationally recognized speaker, having conducted hundreds of executive and professional executive training events around the nation.
Mr. Naughton-Travers received his Bachelor’s degree from Miami University of Ohio and his Masters’ of Education in Counseling Psychology from Boston University.
Paying For Health-Related Social Needs: Emerging Models Of Funding Every Executive Should Know About
With increased attention to value-based care, improved outcomes, and the metrics that define them, it is key that providers build services around their community’s unique array of health-related social needs (HRSN). These may include housing instability, food insecurity, employment, personal safety, lack of transportation, etc.
Equally as important is for provider executives to have a thorough understanding of what kind of payment models can be leveraged to support those services. In this plenary session, hear from a diverse group of payers on innovative models for payment and contracting that providers can leverage to support unconventional lines of service delivery to address HRSN and community health outcomes on a broad scale.
Yvonne Copeland, MBA
Yvonne Copeland is the inaugural Director for the newly established Division of Child and Family Well-Being (DCFW) at the NC Department of Health and Human Services, which brings together health, behavioral health, early childhood development, and nutrition programs that support children and families using a whole-person approach to care. Yvonne provides strategic direction and oversight for 1000+ employees in the operation of federal and state programs within DCFW’s portfolio including Whole Child Health, Early Intervention, Community Nutrition Services (WIC and CACFP), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). She is driven to ensure all children have the opportunity to thrive in safe, stable, and nurturing families, schools, and communities.
Yvonne’s 30 years of executive leadership, health policy, system design and implementation, change management, and operations in public sector health and human services have given her a unique understanding of the complexity of systems and the impact of practical solutions. Yvonne served as Senior Vice President of Operations for a multi-state Quality Improvement Organization, where she led all federal and state service lines (population health, external quality review, utilization management, and program integrity). As the former Vice President of Community Operations for a behavioral health managed care organization Yvonne increased provider capacity using innovative payment models, increased access to timely care, and amplified the member voice. Yvonne holds an MBA from Meredith College and a BA from Rutgers University and has two amazing adult children, a loving daughter and son-in-law, and a grand-dog that bring her joy.
Cindy Ehlers, MS, LCMHC
Cindy Ehlers, MS, LCMHC, serves as the Chief Operations Officer for Trillium Health Resources. She is focused on improving access to health and affordability through emerging analytics and innovative solutions. She leads several major components of Trillium, overseeing the strategy and innovation for Trillium along with member services, care management, network operations, and innovative development. Trillium Health Resources is a leader in innovation for behavioral health and IDD and the life-long support needed by these populations in NC.
Cindy is a champion for the implementation of evidence based practices. Cindy has developed a robust department within Trillium focused on approaches that address opportunities for health and health disparity throughout eastern NC. She has worked as a public servant for the past 32 years. Cindy has developed many programs and services in behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disabilities across more than half of North Carolina, overcoming rural barriers and many health disparities to meet the service needs of the BH-IDD population.
Cindy offers a unique perspective in her role as an Executive in the NC system, as she is both a parent and professional. Cindy has six children- several who have special needs; she was a therapeutic foster parent and is an adoptive parent. Cindy understands the system from the perspective of the MCO, from the inside out, and as a parent of children with special healthcare needs from the outside in. Her lived experience is unique to find in healthcare at this level in an organization. Trillium is the only health plan in the state with a parent who has been a foster parent and adoptive parent and is the parent of children with IDD on the Executive team of the organization.
Stephanie Franklin, MPS
Stephanie Franklin, MPS, is the Director of Insights & Business Intelligence for Humana, Inc., a leading, national health care company that offers a wide range of insurance products and health and wellness services that incorporate an integrated approach to lifelong well-being. Humana has a vision of influencing and enabling an equitable healthcare ecosystem so that every person has a fair, just and dignified opportunity to reach their full health potential. Stephanie leads the Insights and Business Intelligence team within Humana’s Health Equity and Social Impact organization, whose objectives are to leverage data analytics and visualization to bring to light those social risk factors and non-medical needs that prevent members and patients from achieving their best health and to build enterprise capacity for disparities-focused reporting, analytics and strategy development.
Stephanie is a published researcher and speaker on the topics of social determinants of health and health equity. She is passionate about helping teams and organizations translate research and analytics into policy and practice to create a healthier, more equitable society. She has worked across sectors – public, private, and non-profit – where she has developed an understanding of barriers and facilitators to implementation of evidence-based practices.
Stephanie joined Humana in 2014. Previous roles included leading clinical programs aimed at preventing and delaying progression of chronic disease. Prior to joining Humana, Stephanie was the Senior Legislative Aide for a Member of Congress. Stephanie has a Master of Professional Studies in Political Management from The George Washington University and a B.A. from Centre College. She lives in Louisville, KY with her husband and two sons.
Dismantling Silos: An I/DD Non-Profits Journey In Fostering A Person-Centered Approach For Achieving Integrated Care
In this presentation, we will explore the transformative journey of a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive services, including integrated primary care, dental, mental health services, psychiatry, autism services, speech therapy, and programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The nonprofit successfully dismantled the silos that once separated these vital services and created a collaborative environment where each department works together to enhance consumer outcomes. These efforts showcase not only improved quality of care but also fostered a more cohesive and consumer-centered approach, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the communities served. Learn how, through this process, they improved the efficiency of care delivery and empowered consumers by offering more integrated and personalized care options.
The presentation will guide the audience through three key learning objectives:
- Understanding the importance of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in measuring the success of integrated care,
- Recognizing the value of consumer choice in shaping personalized care plans, and
- Exploring the benefits of collaborative care models that bring together diverse disciplines under one roof.
Jennifer Riha
Jennifer Riha is the Chief Strategy Officer of I Am Boundless, based in Worthington, Ohio. Jennifer is a long-time health and human services executive with experience leading clinical treatment and recovery services, intellectual and developmental disability and autism support services, technology and innovation, and business operations. As a mother of a neurodiverse son and experienced leader in the field, Jennifer is passionate about leading organizations to implement sound business practices, evidence-based care and treatment, and demonstrate the value of the services provided. Jennifer has built her career leading teams toward growth, improvement, and innovation including roles as the VP of Operations, VP of Strategic Business Development, Chief Administrative Officer, and VP of Performance Improvement and Service Delivery in organizations across Ohio.
Jennifer is a frequent speaker across the country on key issues in the health and human services sector and is a strong advocate for parity, recognition, and elevation of the importance of the work provided by the IDD and behavioral health sectors. In addition to her role with I Am Boundless, she also serves as a Technical Assistance provider and Behavioral Health Consultant for providers and peer-led organizations across the country. She serves on many state and national taskforces and workgroups as part of her advocacy, including the Alternative Payment Models workgroup led by ANCOR focused on innovation in the provision of care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Katie Babcock, MHA
Katie Babcock is the Director of Healthcare Operations at I Am Boundless – Ohio’s largest not-for-profit provider of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and/or behavioral health challenges. She oversees primary care, dental, psychiatry, and speech services in outpatient settings– as well as nursing services in 22 Intermediate Care Facilities across the state. She has spearheaded the development of a dental program, integrated behavioral health into primary care, optimized psychiatry services, and is focused on building an innovative and collaborative culture across teams. Prior to this, she served as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at an FQHC, overseeing strategic planning and the Project Management Office. Katie holds a Master’s Degree in Health Administration from the University of South Carolina and a B.A. in Psychology from Ohio State University. She holds a PMP certification, bringing a strong background in project management and strategic growth. She is passionate about enhancing integrated services and fostering data-driven improvements in healthcare.
Launching Whole Person Care Programs Through Organizational Partnerships: How A Virginia Non-Profit Innovatively Financed New Integrated Service Programs
States, MCOs and other payers are increasingly interested in using whole person care models to better manage health costs and health outcomes for complex populations. But for many specialty care providers, finding dollars to cover the cost of creating an integrated program is a major challenge. This session, designed for organizations considering how to launch a whole person care practice, explores how one Virginia agency used partnership strategies to finance its integrated service program.
- Understand common strategies for covering start-up and ongoing costs of delivering integrated care
- Learn how to build value-based payer partnerships to expand your whole person care programs
- Learn how to develop a strategic re-investment model for growing services over time
Brandie D. Williams, M.Ed, Ed.S
Brandie has over 20 years of experience serving individuals with Behavioral Health needs and Developmental Disabilities. For the past 15 years, Brandie has worked at the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education, recovery, treatment, and wellness of individuals affected by mental health and substance use disorders and developmental disabilities. In her role as Deputy Executive Director, she brings subject-matter and operational knowledge of integrated care, data analytics, and behavioral health care to support the use of analytics to improve clinical performance, patient health, and organizational efficiencies. In addition to day-to-day operations, Brandie oversees reporting and analytics to inform a data-driven quality improvement process. Throughout her professional career, Brandie has fostered a deep passion for the opportunities created by advanced science and technology in the health and human services quality improvement space. She believes building and growing a high-quality workforce is the foundation for meeting our community’s needs.
From CIN To Integrated System Of Care (ISC): Leveraging The Power Of The Network To Optimize Quality & Performance In Value-Based Contracts
This live-streamed conference session designed to explore the intricacies of assessing, prioritizing, and impacting the various quality and cost measures inherent in value-based contracts. This session will equip participants with the knowledge to initiate quality improvement efforts, enhance ongoing initiatives, and strategically leverage their Clinical Integration Network (CIN) as a cohesive integrated system of care. The focus will be on achieving improvements through enhanced communication, connection, coordination, and anticipation.
Key takeaways from this session include:
- Identifying and Prioritizing Key Measures: Learn to pinpoint critical quality and cost measures within value-based contracts and prioritize initiatives to maximize their impact.
- Implementing Effective Strategies: Gain insights into practical tools and methodologies for driving quality improvements and cost efficiencies.
- Leveraging CIN for Better Care Coordination: Discover how to utilize your CIN to foster better care coordination and integration.
- Enhancing Communication and Collaboration: Understand the importance of communication and collaboration across multidisciplinary care teams to achieve superior patient outcomes.
This session will provide valuable insights and actionable strategies to elevate your organization’s performance and deliver exceptional patient care through innovative approaches and best practices.
Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your organization’s performance and deliver superior patient care through innovative approaches and best practices.
Jaimica Wilkins, MBA, CPHQ, ICP, CLSSYB
Jaimica Wilkins is the Vice President of Quality at Alera Health and co-chair of Health Equity. With over 17 years of distinguished experience in health equity, quality management, innovation, and continuous improvement, she has led transformative initiatives at macro, meso, and micro levels, significantly enhancing outcomes and operations. Jaimica is also a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), Certified Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, and ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP). Her career is marked by impactful collaborations with large health systems, government agencies, and payers building quality improvement departments from the ground up. Her visionary leadership, creating sustainable systems that drive health improvements, has earned her positions as a thought leader on boards and councils, most recently, NCQA’s Public Sector Advisory Council. Most importantly, Jaimica thrives on improving the world around her.
Deb Aldridge
Deb Aldridge, a seasoned healthcare professional with over 28 years of experience, specializes in Practice Transformation, Clinical Informatics and Quality Improvement. Currently serving as Senior Vice President of Network Operations at Alera Health, she leads a multidisciplinary team in identifying improvement opportunities across healthcare settings and driving meaningful improvement. Deb’s role involves mentoring staff and providing direct practice coaching to ensure alignment with organizational goals. Her extensive expertise stems from previous work at Community Care of North Carolina and the Beacon Community Program nationally, where she spearheaded cross-functional quality improvement projects and implemented cutting-edge health IT solutions. Throughout her career, Deb has demonstrated a commitment to advancing healthcare through innovation and collaboration. Her leadership and expertise make her a trusted resource in the field, driving transformative change and optimizing patient care outcomes through technology integration and process improvement initiatives.
So You Want To Become A FQHC?—The Cherokee Health Systems & Community Health Network Case Studies
This comprehensive training program is designed for professionals interested in establishing or transitioning to a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or FQHC Look-alike status. Participants will gain essential knowledge about the requirements, benefits, and challenges associated with these designations, equipping them with the insights needed to make informed decisions and navigate the complex process effectively.
Immerse yourself into Cherokee Health Systems’ pioneer journey to becoming an FQHC. Opening in 1960 as a mental health center in Eastern Tennessee and then expanding to primary care services, CHS adopted an “Integrated Health Care Home” model, integrated primary care, behavioral health, and substance use disorder treatment all in one. They have been nationally recognized for its innovative and consumer-centered health care approach.
Learn from Community Health Network, formed in 2008 in Texas and replacing an FQHC that lost its funding, how they went from one location and three exam rooms to 14 clinical locations with over 14 years of service. Some of their services include dental oral health, behavioral health, home health, and medical/primary care.
Attendees will:
- Understand the fundamental criteria and regulatory requirements for obtaining FQHC or FQHC Look-alike status, including eligibility criteria, scope of services, governance structure, and compliance standards
- Explore the unique benefits and challenges associated with operating as an FQHC or FQHC Look-alike, including access to federal funding, reimbursement mechanisms, quality improvement initiatives, and integration within the health care ecosystem
- Develop practical strategies and action plans for navigating the application process, establishing effective partnerships with stakeholders, and sustaining organizational viability and success as an FQHC or FQHC Look-alike
Parinda Khatri, Ph.D.
Dr. Parinda Khatri is Chief Executive Officer at Cherokee Health Systems (CHS). CHS is a Federally Qualified Health Center and licensed Community Mental Health Center that provides comprehensive and integrated primary, behavioral health, dental, vision, pharmacy, and outreach services to 70,000 patients across 25 counties in Tennessee. She serves on several national committees and boards, including the Mental/Behavioral Health Advisory Committee for the Association of American Medical Colleges, the National FQHC Advisory Board for United Healthcare, Board of Directors for Advocates for Community Health (ACH), Board of Directors for Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU), and the AHRQ National Integration Academy Council. She has been awarded the Susan P. Smith Award of Excellence by the Tennessee Primary Care Association, the Don Bloch Award by the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, the Excellence in Education and Teaching award by the Society of Health Psychology, and is a Fellow of the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved.
Penny Pabst, M.Ed., OHCC
Penny Pabst, CAO, holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Human Relationships and a Master of Education in Educational Psychology. She worked for eight years as a Child Life Specialist at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston before obtaining her master’s degree in 1997 and “found” her work mission in community health. Ms. Pabst has 27 years of experience working in federally qualified health centers. Ms. Pabst first worked at Fort Bend Family Health Center, Inc., where she served as a Children with Special Health Care Needs case manager before moving into administration. As Associate Director of Health Care Services (2002-2012), Ms. Pabst managed the daily operations of six physician land-based medical clinics and supervised the clinical and administrative support staff, including the front desk, nursing, patient registration, and medical records. She served as the project lead for clinic process measurement improvement (Access and Redesign Collaborative). As the Special Projects Officer from 2012-2017, Ms. Pabst served in the role of Project manager and implemented an integrated practice management/electronic health record system, and as system administrator; obtained contracts for new copier and phone systems; served as the Grant and Contract Manager and coordinated evaluation and monitoring of grant and contract funded programs, including reports and other communications with funding sources. Ms. Pabst was responsible for preparing and submitting the federal, state and private grant proposals and report, and managing the programs.
In her current position as CAO, Ms. Pabst oversees quality, risk management, compliance, credentialing, grants development, medical records, and social determinants of health (SDOH) duties. Ms. Pabst is responsible for overseeing the patient satisfaction survey process, private foundation and the state and federal contracts to ensure compliance with all contract components. Ms. Pabst is responsible for ensuring all staff receive cultural competency and LEP training through the Risk management program. Ms. Pabst oversees the HRSA site visit as the Compliance Officer, adds new sites and services to scope, and is responsible for any audits that occur at the organization.
Innovations & Sustainability In Integrated Care: The Denova Collaborative Health Case Study
Essential ingredients for successful whole person care include technical savvy, compassionate clinicians, a strong team-based approach, and financial models that make it all sustainable. Denova Collaborative Care, one of Arizona’s largest integrated outpatient providers, is changing the conversation on whole person care with its “integrated collaborative healthcare” approach that delivers all the essentials and more. Denova’s model combines holistic team-based care and delivery of primary, behavioral health, and social treatments with medical case management and patient progress tracking. This winning combination is expanding Denova’s reach into new markets and attracting value-based payer partnerships from around Arizona and across the country.
Key takeaways from this session include:
- Understand Denova’s successful formula for holistic “integrated collaborative care”
- Discover how whole person care financing models support clinical quality, care management, and market expansion
- Learn about Denova’s suite of trademarked health assessment tools for monitoring satisfaction and symptom management
Graham Johnson, MAcc, CPA
As the CEO of Denova Collaborative Health, Graham spearheads the strategic vision and operational success of the company. With a direct supervisory role over key executives, Graham’s leadership extends across various departments. Before taking on the role of CEO, he was an integral team member as Denova’s CFO, bringing extensive experience from a 15-year tenure at Deloitte & Touche. His expertise in audit engagements and financial strategy in diverse sectors like Technology and Healthcare helped bolster Denova’s growth. Graham’s academic achievements include a BS and a Master of Accountancy from Brigham Young University, and a CPA certification. Outside work, Graham dedicates time to mentoring youth at his church and enjoys family time with his wife and four children.
George Orras, Ph.D., LCSW, MBA
Dr. George Orras, the Chief Clinical Officer at Denova, has been pivotal in revolutionizing Arizona’s behavioral health sector. His role at Denova encompasses strategy formulation, innovation, and enhancing patient care. Dr. Orras’s professional career includes being a co-founder and CEO at Windstone Behavioral Health/Windstone Health Services, alongside his academic contributions as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern California. He brings a rich background in managing behavioral healthcare, clinical operations, and strategic expansion. His prior roles include executive positions at various healthcare organizations, highlighting his versatility as a clinician and leader.
Angela Roumain, RN, MPH
Angela Roumain is the Vice President of Medical Operations at Denova Collaborative Health. Angela specializes in integrating clinical expertise with operational leadership to improve care quality and outcomes. A passionate educator and advocate, they have spearheaded initiatives in perinatal mental health, health equity, and preventive care programming. Recognized for their innovative approaches to healthcare delivery, Angela is committed to fostering collaboration and advancing patient-centered care. They hold a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Arizona State University and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Arizona.
Driving Innovation In Medicaid—The CareSource Approach To Serving Complex Health Populations
Medicaid programs serving individuals with complex needs have largely remained as fee-for-service arrangements, accounting for nearly 50% of spending. As a result, the coordination of care has been significantly fragmented, placing these individuals at increased risk of experiencing a crisis or institutionalization. (CareSource, 2021)
In this session, hear from Dr. Tracey Green, Vice President of Clinical Innovation and Product at CareSource, as she shares an inside look into CareSource’s innovative complex managed care model, which is focused on four key foundational elements – member voice and choice, medical and non-medical services, caregiver support, and quality improvement.
Tracey Green, M.D.
Dr. Tracey Green joined CareSource in April of 2023 as Vice President, Clinical Innovation and Product. Dr. Green works closely with subject matter experts across the enterprise to help us design and deliver on product development solutions and industry best practices. Dr. Green came from Molina, serving as a Chief Medicaid Officer (CMO) and has held other nationwide Medicaid managed care leadership roles in population health, trauma transformation and health equity. Dr. Green also served as the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services CMO and Division of Public and Behavioral Health State Health Officer in addition to working as a Family Practice Physician.
Measuring What Matters—The Kaiser Permanente Exploration Of Patient-Centered Outcomes & Feedback Informed Care
Treating individuals with mental health and co-occurring health conditions and social needs is proving to be a great market opportunity. But while providing comprehensive care that addresses physical, mental, and social well-being is the ultimate goal of more provider organizations, this is extremely difficult without mastering two components—feedback-informed care and patient-centered outcomes.
In patient-centered care, a consumer’s specific health needs and outcomes drive health care decisions and quality metrics. In feedback-informed care, the relationship between the consumer and clinical professional is leveraged to promote communication and allow the provider organization to know what consumers both need and want. Numerous studies have highlighted the positive impact of this consumer feedback on clinical outcomes.
During this one-hour live presentation, Stuart Buttlaire, Ph.D., Regional Director of Behavioral Health and Addiction Medicine at Kaiser Permanente, will discuss the underlying principles and framework supporting this methodology and provide insights into enhancing your organization’s practices for optimal results.
Executive attendees of this session will learn:
- Why no one theoretical approach or discipline can claim superiority over others
- Why patient-centered approaches improve clinical outcomes
- How other organizations are putting feedback-informed care into practice
Stuart Buttlaire, Ph.D., MBA
Stuart Buttlaire has over 35 years of clinical, management, and leadership experience. His career includes diverse experience in both the public and private sectors of healthcare providing leadership and direction in healthcare delivery.
Dr. Buttlaire currently serves as the Regional Director of Behavioral Health and Addiction Medicine for Kaiser Permanente. In this role, Dr. Buttlaire designs and oversees a broad continuum of services and programs for both inpatient, ambulatory, and emergency settings for mental health and addiction medicine. Dr. Buttlaire previously served as the Regional Director of Inpatient Psychiatry and Continuing Care at Kaiser Permanente and the lead Mental Health Representative within Kaiser Permanente’s State Program Initiatives including Medicaid and Medicare.
Additionally, Dr. Buttlaire served as a regional leader in the development of best practices at Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Buttlaire developed and led major program redesigns including Integrated Urgent Services for adults and youth with mental health and substance use disorders, Kaiser Permanente Post-Acute Center (SNF) Behavioral Health Program, mental health and emergency room consultation and suicide prevention, multi-family groups for adults and teens in treatment of severe psychiatric conditions, and intensive outpatient treatment programs for adults and youths. Recently, Dr. Buttlaire implemented a mobile application for eating-disordered patients that won Kaiser’s Innovation Award. Dr. Buttlaire also developed and implemented two psychiatric inpatient units at Kaiser Permanente, one of them was a medical/psychiatric unit to treat those members with both medical and psychiatric co-morbidities and the other, was a free-standing psychiatric health facility.
Additionally, Dr. Buttlaire often provides expertise and consultation on state and federal legislation and its impact on behavioral health within Kaiser Permanente, the State of California, and nationally. Dr. Buttlaire is currently the Board President of the Institute for Behavioral Health Improvement. He was selected to the American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board for Western Section after serving as AHA’s Chair of Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse section. He is currently on the Board of Directors of NAMI California, and the California Hospital Association’s Advisory Board of Behavioral Health.
Dr. Buttlaire is a graduate from the University of California, Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business with a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Health Care Management, Finance, and Marketing. Dr. Buttlaire also graduated from the California Institute of Integral Studies with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Additionally, Dr. Buttlaire holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from California State University, Humboldt, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science from the University of Colorado.
Building Continuity Of Care By Leveraging Vital Collaborators & Community Stakeholders: The Berks Counseling Center & CPC Integrated Health Case Studies
This session is tailored for provider executives aiming to strengthen the capacity and efficiency of essential partners in providing holistic care for individuals. Participants will delve into the dynamics of collaboration, explore best practices for interprofessional communication and coordination, and acquire tools to enhance the delivery of comprehensive care across diverse settings.
In this session, attendees will develop a deep understanding of Berks Counseling Center, opening in 1977 and serving Berks County Community, growing to fit the needs of its target population and scope of services. Starting as a licensed substance abuse treatment provider, they have expanded into mental health and co-occurring disorders treatment, housing services, case management, community-based programming, peer support, physical health, and wellness services.
Then, hear how CPC Integrated Health, founded in 1960 and the largest nonprofit integrated care provider in Monmouth and Northern Ocean Counties of New Jersey, began as a Children’s Psychiatric Center and grew into adult services and community programs, becoming a certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic.
Key takeaways include:
- Gain insight into the significance of collaboration among vital stakeholders in delivering comprehensive care for consumers with complex health needs, emphasizing the integration of physical, mental, and social aspects of health
- Explore strategies for fostering effective communication, teamwork, and coordination among interdisciplinary teams, enhancing the efficiency and quality of care delivery
- Learn new approaches for overcoming barriers to collaboration and promoting a culture of shared decision-making among health care providers, community organizations, and other essential collaborators
Christine Axford, M.Ed., LPC
Christine Axford has been employed in the behavioral health field for over 38 years. She currently serves as President and CEO of Berks Counseling Center. Christine has degrees in both Counseling Psychology and Economics and Business Administration and is a licensed professional counselor in the state of PA. In addition to her role at Berks Counseling Center, Christine serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Alvernia University. Having been one of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic demonstration grantees, Berks Counseling Center is now a PA Integrated Community Wellness Center. BCC’s main offices are in urban Reading, and BCC has approximately 120 employees. Christine led BCC’s implementation of integrated physical and behavioral healthcare and its transition to the CCBHC/ICWC models of care. She has previously presented at local, state, and national workshops on these and other relevant topics in the field.
Bonnie Triebig, MS
Bonnie Triebig is a graduate of Temple University and Chestnut Hill College and has worked in the behavioral health field for over 20 years. She has been with Berks Counseling Center for 10 years and has grown from Clinician to Clinic Director in that time. Bonnie serves as Project Director for grant funding and oversees the daily operations of Berks Counseling Center while building relationships with community partners.
LeeAnn Wagner, LPC, LCADC, ACS
With over 20 years of non-profit experience working in behavioral health, LeeAnn joins the CPC team with extensive leadership expertise. She oversees all facets of information management, including technology, billing practices, quality management, corporate compliance, and data analysis. LeeAnn is committed to improving client outcomes through strategic technology use, data-driven decision-making, and ongoing improvement initiatives in alignment with CPC’s mission.
Julie Edwards, APN, FNP-C
Julie Edwards is the Medical Director of Integrated Care and the ISC Program at CPC, where she leads the integration of wellness and physical health into CPC programs. Julie is responsible for ensuring that client services at CPC are at the forefront of integrated, client-centered, and comprehensive whole-person care.
Knocking Down Tech Silos To Build A Financially Sustainable Future
Leveraging the right data is critical for financial leaders to be able to extract actionable insights, drive innovation, and revolutionize revenue operations. Join ContinuumCloud for an exploration of key metrics and data points every CFO needs to support long-term financial sustainability in their organizations.
Key areas of focus include:
- Managing Human Capital Margins by Role or Position: Understand how to track and optimize labor costs at the granular level to improve margins.
- Productivity Tracking with EHR and HCM Data: Learn how integrating data from EHR and HCM systems can streamline operations and enhance productivity.
- Performance Trends by Program: Leverage performance data to identify opportunities for program optimization and long-term financial growth.
Led by General Managers of Welligent and DATIS, Heather Prather and MJ Craig, this session will highlight how to unify data from multiple systems to increase productivity, improve outcomes, and secure your organization’s financial future in an increasingly competitive industry.
Gwen Koenig
Gwen Koenig brings 30 years of social work clinical and administrative experience as the Chief Of Strategic Growth for the Omni Family of Services, a national leader of child and family services in behavioral health, child welfare, and juvenile justice. Throughout her career, Gwen has led foster care, family preservation, and community mental health organizations. In 2016, Gwen transitioned from operations to business development and innovation in the human services space. She has represented companies throughout fifteen states and has been responsible for business procurement, strategic planning, grants management, staff development, and technology innovation in this role. Since 2016, Gwen has been an adjunct faculty at the Colorado State University School of Social Work, teaching courses in macro social work and nonprofit management. From 2021 to 2023, Gwen co-founded SigBee, a technology platform to improve workforce retention in human services.
Gwen holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Cincinnati. Gwen has presented at numerous national and international conferences, including a key presentation at the National Association of Child Care Workers in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She has served on various boards and committees with the Family Focused Treatment Association and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, among other trade organizations. Gwen resides in Fort Collins, CO where she enjoys the beautiful outdoors with her three sons, volunteers in her community, and keeps active with her rescue animals.
Denny Morrison, Ph.D.
Dr. Dennis Morrison is the owner of Morrison Consulting which has provided consulting services to the behavioral health information technology field since 2017. In that role, he serves as Chief Clinical Officer for Eleos Health and Chief Scientist for ContinuumCloud, providers of the Welligent EHR. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Clinical Officer for Netsmart Technologies from 2012 through 2017. From 2008-2012, he served as CEO of Centerstone Research Institute (CRI). CRI was recognized in IBM’s Smarter Planet Series and won the Best Practices Award from TDWI (Transforming Data With Intelligence) for Leading Innovations in Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing. From 1995-2008, Dr. Morrison was the CEO of one of the merger partners that created Centerstone – Center for Behavioral Health (CBH). Under his leadership, CBH won the Joint Commission of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) Ernest A. Codman Award for excellence in the use of outcomes measurement and the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Nicholas E. Davies Award for Excellence in the implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR). CBH is still the only organization in the world to have won both awards.
Academically, Dr. Morrison holds two master’s degrees in Psychology and Exercise Physiology from Ball State University. His doctorate is in Counseling Psychology also from Ball State University. In 2022, Ball State awarded him the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest award given to an alum. He is a prolific author, frequent presenter (including a TEDx talk), podcast host and co-inventor on a patent for a behavioral healthcare outcomes software product. He has served on numerous academic and non-profit boards and was a founder and board member for the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) now Global Leadership Exchange. He was an officer in the United States Navy and received his Aerospace Physiologist wings training, among others, members of TOPGUN in the physiological hazards of flight and land and water survival. He is a licensed, instrument-rated private pilot and triathlete completing 19 triathlons since turning 70.
MJ Craig
MJ Craig serves as the General Manager of DATIS e3, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the platform. With her deep understanding of product dynamics and a keen ability to translate complex customer needs into actionable strategies, MJ is dedicated to positioning DATIS e3 as the premier HCM & Payroll solution specifically designed for behavioral health organizations.
With over a decade of experience at DATIS and ContinuumCloud, MJ has been instrumental in the platform’s growth and success. Her innovative approach and forward-thinking vision have played an essential part in driving product enhancements that evolve the platform and support behavioral health leaders in achieving their mission. Under her leadership, DATIS e3 is not only advancing as a top-tier solution but also setting new standards for excellence in the industry.
Heather Prather
Surprise! Sustainability & Survival In A Time Of Market Chaos
To go the distance and stay competitive amidst changing market trends executive teams performance is key, but improving performance begins with an internal examination of programs and services, finances, technology systems, staffing, operations….and the list goes on. Balance and growth come from monitoring and managing these internal processes and identifying the need to make strategic adjustments along the way. In her closing keynote, Monica E. Oss will discuss planning not only for success and sustainability, but for performance excellence and the necessary characteristics for becoming a performance-based organization.
Monica E. Oss
Monica E. Oss, M.S. is the founder of OPEN MINDS and serves as its chief executive officer, executive editor of its publications and websites, and executive lead of its consulting engagements. For the past three decades, Ms. Oss has led the OPEN MINDS team and its research on health and human service market trends and its national consulting practice. She is well known for her numerous books and articles focused on the strategic and marketing implications of the evolving health and human service field – and its focus on the verticals of the field serving consumers with chronic conditions and complex support needs.
Ms. Oss has extensive experience in developing and implementing growth strategies for a wide array of organizations in the field. She has expertise in industry trend analysis, reimbursement, rate setting, and creating actionable plans for market success. In her role, she has led numerous engagements with state Medicaid plans, county governments, private insurers, and health plans, service provider organizations, technology vendors, neurotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations, and investment banking firms – with a focus on the implications of financing changes on delivery system design.
Prior to founding OPEN MINDS, Ms. Oss served as an executive with a nationally managed behavioral health organization, responsible for market development, actuarial analysis, and capitation-based rate setting. She also held a position as vice president of the U.S. risk management and underwriting division of an international insurance company.
Ms. Oss has been the keynote speaker at the conferences of dozens of national associations and has been published in a wide range of professional journals and trade publications. She has provided Congressional and state legislative testimony on issues as diverse as the financial impact of parity and payer medication access policies.
Ms. Oss has led a range of industry research and consultation initiatives, serving as principal investigator on research projects that include the examination of national managed care enrollment and service patterns, development of provider rate structures for government entities, creation of return-on-investment models for technology investments; design of performance-based compensation models within public and private health plans; and analysis of the economic impact of changes in benefit design, adoption of evidence-based practices, and new technologies.