Mike Rapach
Shannon Dowler, MD, FAAFP, CPE
Karen Dale, RN, MSN
Ralph Choate
Cameual Wright, M.D., MBA
Adrienne Tyler Fegans
Ryan Schwarz, MD, MBA
Jon Hamdorf
Merrill Friedman
Robert Krebbs
Cindy Ehlers, MS, LCMHC
Jim Milanowski
Chris Esguerra
Cat Livingston, MD, MPH
Christine Bernsten
Deniz Soyer, MBA, MPH
Katherine Rogers
Jennifer Joyce, LICSW, MBA
Kris Vilamaa
Dawn Godbolt, Ph.D.
Kalin Scott
Kacey Dugan
Michael Bagel
Steven Girardeau, Psy.D.
Amy Aldighere
Derek Fretheim
Stephanie Boschenreither
Angela Smith-Hietikko
Sebastian Seiguer, JD, MBA
Mike Sears
Mike Rapach
Mike Rapach is the President and CEO of CareFirst Community Health Plan Maryland, a subsidiary of
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. The plan provides Medicaid and Medicare Advantage Dual Special
Needs coverage across the entire state of Maryland. In that role, Mike is responsible for the strategic
planning and direction of the organization, along with managing the relationships with regulators.
He is also directly accountable for the financial, operational, and clinical performance of the
company.
Mike has 20 years of experience in Health Care both regionally and nationally, having served in
leadership roles with Centene, Highmark, United HealthGroup, and Coventry Healthcare. Prior to
joining CareFirst, Mike implemented and led the Medicare Advantage and Marketplace businesses
for Centene in Pennsylvania. He was also the lead for the implementation of the new Managed Long-
term Services and Support (MLTSS) program for Centene in the same market.
In other prior roles, Mike has led business and technology organizations supporting Medicaid,
Medicare Advantage, ACA/Marketplace, and commercial health insurance. Mike has an MBA from
Carnegie Mellon University, and a Bachelor’s in Finance from Penn State. He enjoys traveling the
world with his wife, Jennifer, playing ice hockey, and cooking the new dishes he encounters on his
travels.
Shannon Dowler, MD, FAAFP, CPE
Dr. Dowler joined NC DHHS as the Chief Medical Officer for North Carolina Medicaid in 2019. Her
past experience with Medicaid includes chairing the Physician Advisory Group for Medicaid (an
independent legislated non-profit whose sole purpose is advising Medicaid on clinical policy) for
many years. In the COVID pandemic she led efforts across DHHS related to Telehealth and Health
Equity with a focus on increasing testing and vaccinations in Historically Marginalized Populations.
She was recently appointed Assistant Secretary for Health Access for NC DHHS to continue to drive
equity work across the state.
Dr. Dowler obtained her medical degree from East Carolina (Brody) School of Medicine and
completed a Family Medicine Residency and Fellowship in Asheville at MAHEC. She has spent her
career in the service of non-profits including: the local health department providing full spectrum
care (OB without deliveries) as well as a long standing and ongoing role in the STD clinic, as CMO for
a large FQHC in WNC, and prior to joining Medicaid, as Associate Chief Quality Officer and Chief of
Community Medicine for a medium sized Health System, focused on integration of healthcare and
reducing unnecessary care variation across a health system. She serves on the CDC HRSA Advisory
Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STD Prevention and Treatment.
An avid educator and advocate for sexual health, Dr. Dowler speaks at the local, state and national
level on STD prevention, diagnosis and treatment to both professional and lay audiences. Known by
the moniker "RapDrD", she has produced two educational rap videos for lay audiences, the second
(STDs Never Get Old) achieving brief international attention. In January, 2023 she published her first
book, a lay audience book on STDs in the aging population.
Karen Dale, RN, MSN
Karen M. Dale is the Market President for AmeriHealth Caritas’ Medicaid managed care organization
(MCO) in Washington, D.C. She is responsible for leading key initiatives to strategically position the
MCO as a market leader offering innovative solutions for the critical challenges faced by its
members.
In addition to her role as Market President, Dale was appointed as the Chief Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion Officer (CDEIO) for the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of companies. As CDEIO, Dale leads the
planning and implementation of diversity and inclusion strategies across the organization to link
workforce, workplace, health equity, and supplier diversity with measurable business and company
cultural outcomes.
Having held multiple positions of leadership during the past two decades, Dale has worked with a
broad group of stakeholders to address policies and other key factors impacting the delivery of
health care services. In addressing the range of needs experienced by the nation’s vulnerable
populations, Dale has cultivated a focus that has helped AmeriHealth Caritas concurrently innovate,
while meeting the highest levels of quality and service. These efforts include the use of digital tools
to aid in the management of chronic diseases, peer to peer outreach using community health
workers and peer specialist, and the use of a human-centered design member engagement
approach. Dale’s vision is notably reflected in key programs addressing Black maternal health,
racism, housing, transportation, violence interruption, and food insecurity. In addition, her
philosophy that healthcare must evolve into a health ecosystem that promotes, wellness, without
barriers, starting where people are, has led to several collaborative relationships with providers,
community partners, philanthropists and businesses to implement sustainable, scalable solutions
with high impact.
Dale holds a Master of Science degree in psychiatric mental health nursing from The Catholic
University, Washington, D.C., and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from George Mason
University, Fairfax, Virginia. She was a member of the Leadership Greater Washington Class of 2003.
She serves as the board Chair for Volunteers of America, and the DC Chesapeake Regional
Information System for our Patients (Health Information Exchange), a board member for the
Institute for Medicaid Innovation, and a commissioner for the Access to Justice Commission.
Ralph Choate
As the Chief Operations Officer for the Colorado Health Care Policy and Finance Office for the past
three years, Mr. Choate has been in the mainstream of Colorado's approach to the recent public
health emergency which added more than 500 thousand members to Colorado Medicaid roles.
With the end of the public health emergency, Colorado is now in the process of reevaluating their
1.8 million members' eligibility. Streamlining processes, improving communications, and expanding
community partnerships to meet the state's needs and CMS requirements have been a path traveled
throughout the three-year public health emergency.
Mr. Choate brings over thirty years of financial services management experience, more than a
decade in human services management, and a Masters’ degree in Gerontology to these discussions.
As the Colorado 2023 Tom Clements Award winner for outstanding service in government, Mr.
Choate leads a dynamic team charged with the perpetual improvement of the Health First Colorado
Medicaid environment.
Cameual Wright, M.D., MBA
As the Vice President, Market Chief Medical Officer for CareSource Indiana, Dr. Wright oversees the
development and implementation of all clinical policies, procedures and operations, ensuring
adherence to regulatory and care standards. She is responsible for fostering effective relationships
with healthcare providers, state agencies and community-based organizations to improve the health
and well-being of both members and the community.
Prior to joining CareSource, Dr. Wright practiced obstetrics and gynecology in Indiana for 15 years
and has held multiple clinical leadership positions. She continues to passionately advocate for
improvements and equity in maternal and infant outcomes, serving on multiple local and national
boards and committees, including the Indiana Perinatal Quality Improvement Committee, the
Indiana Maternal Mortality Review Committee, the March of Dimes, as a Maternal and Infant Health
Expert with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and most recently, as the Chair of
the American Diabetes Association Women's Health Initiative Scientific Advisory Committee.
A vocal proponent of health equity, Dr. Wright dedicates both time and talent to efforts aimed at
mitigating health disparities in Indiana and across the nation. She has spearheaded multiple equity
initiatives at CareSource, including the CareSource Re-entry Program, recognized by the Indianapolis
Business Journal as a “Healthcare Hero” in community achievement. Dr. Wright has steered the
development of both internal and external committees focused on ensuring that every individual has
an opportunity to achieve their full health potential, regardless of how they identify.
Dr. Wright has been tapped by numerous local and regional media outlets to provide expert
perspective on current events that are impacting the health of CareSource members and the
community, including the infant formula shortage, childhood vaccinations, women’s health, re-entry,
Adrienne Tyler Fegans
Adrienne Tyler Fegans is the Deputy Director of Programs and Operations at the Virginia Department
of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). She has been with DMAS since 2000 and provides strategic
planning and development of agency initiatives, and executive level oversight and direction in
implementing multiple complex projects and professional teams to meet the agency’s strategic goals
related the delivery of services to Medicaid and CHIP members. She oversees the divisions that
handle healthcare services (managed care, dental, maternal and child health), program operations
(provider enrollment, claims processing, transportation), and program integrity (provider and
recipient audit).
Adrienne received her BA from Yale University and is currently a member of the CHCS Medicaid
Pathways Leadership Program; she was also a 2012 participant at the Medicaid Integrity Institute
Faculty Development Seminar; 2005 Member of Commonwealth Management Institute; and 1994
Graduate of the Virginia Collaborative Leaders Program.
Ryan Schwarz, MD, MBA
Ryan Schwarz is a physician and Chief of the Office of Payment and Care Delivery Innovation at
MassHealth, Massachusetts’s Medicaid and CHIP program. Ryan previously served as the clinical lead
for the Massachusetts COVID-19 Response Command Center in which he helped lead the state’s
efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to his time with Massachusetts state government, Ryan worked with multiple governments and
health care systems as a technical adviser to the World Bank. Ryan also co-founded and served as
the chief operating officer and CEO of Nepal's first public-private partnership healthcare delivery
organization. Ryan also co-founded the Community Health Impact Coalition, which now works with
multilateral institutions and governments in over 40 countries to enhance implementation of
evidence-based community health worker programs.
Ryan earned his MD and MBA at Yale University, completed his internal medicine and pediatrics
training at Harvard Medical School, and is a practicing internal medicine and pediatrics physician at
Massachusetts General Hospital’s Chelsea Healthcare Center.
Jon Hamdorf
Jon Hamdorf is currently serving as Market President at UCare, a regional non-profit health plan
based in Minnesota.
Jon holds bachelor’s degrees in sociology and management information systems from the University
of Iowa, has an M.B.A from Baker University, and did his doctoral (PhD) work at the University of
Kansas Medical School in the department of Health Policy and Management.
Jon recently served as the Director of the Division of Health Care Finance and State Medicaid
Director for the state of Kansas where Jon managed a team administering the state Medicaid
program and state employee health plan. In that position, he successfully completed the
procurement of managed care contracts for the next 5 years of the KanCare program and
successfully negotiated a 5-year extension on Kansas’s 1115 waiver with CMS. KanCare is the
Kansas’s Medicaid managed care program which serves roughly 400,000 members with an annual
budget more than $4 billion dollars.
Merrill Friedman
Merrill leads inclusive policy and advocacy for Elevance Health. She works collaboratively with
advocates, community leaders, and stakeholders to ensure the diversity of individuals and personal
experiences inform Elevance Health’s health benefits approaches and healthcare programs. Ms.
Friedman advances the integration of the independent living philosophy, self-determination, lived
experience, and person-centeredness along with the National Advisory Board (NAB) on Improving
Healthcare Services for Older Adults and People with Disabilities six foundational principles
throughout policy, programs, individual interactions, and business practices. In addition, she leads
strategic partnerships with national and local organizations to advance access, health equity, and
inclusive public policy.
Previously, Ms. Friedman was interim director at a nonprofit foster care agency serving children and
adolescents who experienced severe neglect and abuse. She also served as president and chief
executive officer of a private organization that owned and operated residential treatment facilities,
group homes and home and community-based services for adolescents with mental health
conditions, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Ms. Friedman has served on numerous national boards and commissions. She was appointed by
President Barack Obama to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities and by
Governor Jennifer Granholm to the MI Statewide Independent Living Council where she served as
Board Chair. Currently, Ms. Friedman serves on the board of directors for the National Academy of
Social Insurance (NASI), the Institute for Exceptional Care (IEC), and EveryLife Foundation, and is an
Advisory Board member for Uplift and ADvancing States’ MLTSS Institute.
Cindy Ehlers, MS, LCMHC
Cindy Ehlers, MS, LCMHC, serves as the Chief Operations Officer for- Trillium Health Resources- a
specialized health plan for Behavioral Health and IDD populations in eastern NC. 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 and network operations. Trillium Health Resources, is a leader in innovation for
behavioral health and IDD and the lifelong supports 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 in both the public servant for the past 32
years. Cindy has developed many programs and services in behavioral health and intellectual and
developmental disabilities in rural eastern North Carolina overcoming rural barriers and many health
disparities related to 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 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 such a diverse lived
experience as she is a former foster parent, adoptive parent and is the parent of children with IDD
on the Executive team of the organization.
Jim Milanowski
Jim Milanowski has over 22 years experience in the management of mental health, substance abuse,
behavioral health managed care and medical care coverage programs. Mr. Milanowski currently
serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Genesee Health Plan (GHP), administering
a community based indigent health care plan. The health plan has covered over 70,000 Genesee
County residents since 2001. Since the start of enrollment into Affordable Care Act in 2013, GHP has
conducted outreach and enrollment sessions with over 15,000 Genesee County residents. The health
plan received the 2015 Pinnacle Award from the Michigan Association of Health Plans for this effort.
As a strong advocate, his expertise includes working to reduce racial disparities, uncompensated
care, and the impact of chronic disease. During his leadership, Genesee Health Plan has received the
national quality award from URAC for Best Practices in Patient Empowerment and Protection, the
Greater Flint Labor Council's Community Partnership Award and the Robert M. Pestronk Excellence
in Public Health Award. He is a founding member of the Health Net Collaborative, and a member of
the Greater Flint Health Coalition Access, Dental and Medical Group Visit Committees.
He is the
Treasurer of the Michigan Association of County Health Plans and is on the Board of Directors for the
Genesee Community Health Center. Mr. Milanowski received his Bachelor of Arts degree in
Psychology from Spring Arbor University and his Master's of Science degree in Clinical Psychology
from Eastern Michigan University. He is a limited-licensed psychologist in the state of Michigan, and
has extensive counseling experience with adult, child, and adolescent populations.
Chris Esguerra
An experienced healthcare leader, Chris Esguerra, MD, MBA, FAPA, CHCQM has led systems
transformation, program evolution, and public/private partnerships leading to outcomes meeting
the quadruple aim of improving health, cost effectiveness, enhancing patient experience, and
supporting provider well-being. He serves as Chief Medical Officer for Health Plan of San Mateo, a
local community plan serving Medicaid and dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. He
also advises nonprofits partnering in healthcare delivery, healthcare startups, and provider groups.
His experience encompasses health care provider and systems leadership, managed care operations,
novel payment models, public-private partnerships, and health care transformation. He has led
significant efforts around integration of care and services for a variety of populations, holistically
addressing social determinants of health in healthcare delivery, and helping people remain and age
in the community with appropriate long-term services and supports. He most recently served on a
National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine committee that published Integrating
Social Needs Care into the Delivery of Health Care to Improve the Nation's Health.
Dr. Esguerra is board certified in both Psychiatry and Health Care and Quality Management and is a
Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Board of Quality Assurance and
Utilization Review Physicians. He received his BS in Chemistry and Medical Degree from the
University of Southern California. He completed his residency training in Psychiatry at San Mateo
County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Psychiatry Residency Training Program. He also
received his MBA in business management from the Isenberg School of Management at the
University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Cat Livingston, MD, MPH
Cat Livingston, MD, MPH is the Medical Director of Health Share of Oregon. She is board certified in both Family Medicine as well as Public Health and Preventive Medicine. Dr. Livingston has focused her career on evidence-based policy-making in Medicaid and interests include substance use disorder, population health, and quality metrics. Prior to joining Health Share she worked for a decade for the Health Evidence Review Commission on Oregon’s unique Prioritized List of Health Services and developed evidence-based Coverage Guidances for payers. In addition to her Medicaid policy work, she continues to be a primary care physician in a Federally Qualified Health Center, teach students and residents, and conduct research.
Christine Bernsten
Christine Bernsten is the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Communications for Health Share of Oregon. Heath Share is a Coordinated Care Organization that serves Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) members in the Portland tri-county region. Christine oversees strategic priorities and investments focused on eliminating health disparities. Current priorities focus on advancements in Social Determinants of Health and Integration aimed at impacts on racial equity, early life health, and behavioral health. Prior to joining Health Share, she worked at Multnomah County Health Department in a variety of program areas including primary care, emergency preparedness, and tobacco prevention. Christine lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two children.
Deniz Soyer, MBA, MPH
Deniz Soyer is the Division Director of Digital Health with the District of Columbia Department of
Health Care Finance, which administers Washington D.C.’s Medicaid program and regulates health
information exchange (HIE). Deniz works closely with developers, public health leaders and other
health system stakeholders to foster partnerships that design, develop, implement and sustain DC
HIE infrastructure. Deniz is an accomplished digital health strategist with a demonstrated record of
fostering partnership, leveraging health information and data analytics to inform care delivery,
promoting interoperability across the continuum of care, and enhancing health and human services.
Deniz also serves as the Board Chair of the DC HIE Policy Board, a twenty-two (22) member
volunteer Board that includes representatives from District-based provider associations, hospitals,
health systems, payers, providers, Medicaid beneficiaries, information technologists, and District of
Columbia Government agencies.
Deniz received her MBA from The George Washington University School of Business and her Master
of Public Health, specializing in Biostatistics and Epidemiology, from the University of Southern
California, Keck School of Medicine.
Katherine Rogers
Dr. Katherine Rogers has fifteen years' experience in health care policy analysis, research, and program development. In prior roles, she has overseen grant-funded programs and federal contracts for programs serving an array of vulnerable populations, from health care transition programs for adolescents with special health care needs to financial and programmatic integration of health care for individuals who are elderly or disabled. At the DC Department of Health Care Finance, Dr. Rogers previously led the in-house data and research team and currently serves as the Director of Long- Term Care. She has led the District's efforts to advance integrated care for its dual eligibles, including shepherding DC's implementation of its first PACE program and expansion and enhancement of its D-SNP program. Dr. Rogers holds degrees from Cornell University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the George Washington University, and lives in Washington, DC.
Jennifer Joyce, LICSW, MBA
Jennifer earned degrees in Biological Anthropology from Boston University, Master of Social Work
with a concentration in Leadership & Macro-practice from Fordham University, and Master of
Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare from the University of Pittsburgh.
At DHCF, Jennifer supports the Managed Care Contract Administrator with oversight, quality, data
reporting and analysis, stakeholder coordination, customer service, and innovation. Jennifer
supports DHCF with leading BH Integration into Managed Care and supports other System
Transformation activities.
Jennifer is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and also supports DHCF with subject
matter expertise related to her clinical training and direct practice experience which includes Long-
Term Care, Civil & Forensic Inpatient Hospitals, Jail Diversion, and Community-based Treatment.
Prior to joining DHCF, Jennifer was Senior Director of Integrated Services at Community Connections
in Washington, DC.
Jennifer started with Community Connections in 2010 and previously held positions of Director of
Access & Admissions, Clinical Practice Manager, and Community Support Specialist.
Jennifer was responsible for Intake, Psychotherapy, Day Services, Psychiatry Clinic, Nursing, Health
Homes, Liaising to the on-site Primary Care and Pharmacy partners, and was Project Manager for
several SAMHSA-funded initiatives related to HIV/AIDS, Substance Use Disorders, and Trauma-
informed Care.
Robert Krebbs
Robert Krebbs is Vice President, Value Based Care & Provider Enablement at Sentara Health Plans,
where he has accountability for the design, development and rollout of value-based care initiatives
across commercial and government business lines. His responsibilities include the management and
oversight of Total Cost of Care (TCOC), Episode Bundled Payment programs and other performance-
based reimbursement arrangements with provider organizations across Virginia. Additionally, he
leads the development of Sentara Health Plan’s provider enablement strategy aimed at empowering
physician and other provider partners to drive quality improvement, cost optimization and a positive
member & provider experience underneath value based care models.
Prior to joining Sentara Health Plans, Robert oversaw value-based care strategy nationally at
Anthem, Inc. and has focused his career on the evolution of value-based care and the associated
transition away from a purely fee for service reimbursement. His work to transform the fragmented
healthcare delivery system into a cohesive, high-functioning medical neighborhood has been
recognized nationally on multiple fronts and he has been a featured speaker at numerous forums
including the PCMH Congress, the Pay for Performance Summit, the Value Based Payment Summit
and the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. He is honored to have co-led the
work aligning physician and hospital incentive models in the cardiology field that resulted in a 2008
John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award by the Joint Commission and National Quality
Forum. Robert resides in Hanover County, Virginia with his wife and two daughters and is a proud
graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).
Kris Vilamaa
Kris Vilamaa is a Partner and Chief Growth Officer for Mostly Medicaid. Mostly Medicaid is one of
the premier Medicaid consulting and marketing entities in the country, using best-in-class HHS
expertise to help state and county government agencies, health plans and solution providers to
navigate a wide variety of challenges. Kris was recently named one of the Top 50 Healthcare
Consultants and Leaders of 2022 by The Consulting Report. Kris has led consulting engagements in
twenty-three different states with hundreds of clients in his career. His experience includes
improving existing solutions, bringing new solutions to market, driving innovation, growth strategy
development, change management, policy assessments and operational assessments.
Kris is a national thought leader on information technology in behavioral health and the use of data
in integrated care models to improve care. As a consultant, he has also served as the CEO of
HealthCare Perspective and Director of Behavioral Health for Germane Solutions. Prior to entering
consulting in 2015, Kris served in state government for fifteen years, the last three as the Chief
Information Officer for the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
Dawn Godbolt, Ph.D.
Dawn Godbolt, Ph.D is the Director of Health Equity at Maven Clinic, the world's largest virtual clinic
for women's and family health.
Dr. Godbolt’s previous work focused on creating a more equitable health care system through
federal policy levers. Dr. Godbolt was heavily involved in the drafting and development of critical
federal health legislation, including the Health Equity Accountability Acts of 2018 and 2020, the Black
Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021, and the COVID-19 Safe Birthing Act.
Dr. Godbolt is a movement builder across the health equity space, she has served as a member of
the National Quality Forum’s Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Committee, the Harvard T.H. Chan
School of Public Health’s Ariadne Lab’s Advisory Board for the Cities Challenge, the Equitable
Maternal Health Coalition Steering Committee, and on the March of Dimes-Health and Human
Services Quality Improvement Advisory Team.
In her role at Maven Clinic, Dr. Godbolt leads the health equity strategy, developing policy,
programs, and clinical guidance for the care delivery model in efforts to position digital health as a
solution to the ongoing maternal health crisis.
Prior to joining Maven, Dr. Godbolt worked in the Reproductive Justice space and at the National
Partnership for Women & Families where she integrated a reproductive justice framework into the
maternal health portfolio. Her previous work examined race differences in mothers’ fear of allowing
children outside, disparities in neighborhood factors, and the connection between stereotypes,
religion and obesity. Dr. Godbolt holds a Bachelors of Science from Virginia Commonwealth
University, a Masters of Science and Doctorate in Sociology from Florida State University, she is a
McNair Scholar, and a fellow of the OpEd Project.
Kalin Scott
Kalin Scott is a healthcare writer, consultant and advisor. A former Medicaid policymaker, she has a
strong track record of experience and deep knowledge of Medicaid and Medicare policy and
operations, delivery system reform, health-related social needs, new care models, and value-based
payment. Kalin leverages her expertise to support healthcare organizations focused on tackling
healthcare’s biggest challenges, addressing barriers to quality care, and creating healthier
communities.
With a background in policy making, consulting, project management, and strategic planning, Kalin
plays a pivotal role with clients in bringing their most innovative ideas and messages to life. Kalin
served as a principal negotiator on New York's Medicaid Redesign Team 1115 Waiver amendment,
which resulted in an $8 billion federal investment, commonly known as New York’s Delivery System
Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program, to transform New York's health care delivery system.
She also developed, supported, and managed New York Medicaid’s Value Based Payment (VBP)
workgroup, subcommittees, and clinical advisory groups, and was an author of the state’s VBP
Roadmap.
Kalin’s experience as both a senior state Medicaid advisor and healthcare consultant benefits clients
including provider organizations, health tech companies, payers, consulting firms, and healthcare
marketing agencies across the country. She partners with founders, executives, and their teams to
craft and implement industry-leading messaging and strategy aligned with the latest developments
in healthcare.
Kacey Dugan
Kacey Dugan is an experienced health policy analyst with deep knowledge of CMS rules and insurance programs. As a director at Faegre Drinker Consulting, she works primarily with health plans, providers, and vendors to provide strategic advice and help navigate regulatory and compliance issues regarding the Medicare, Medicaid, and ACA markets. Prior to joining Faegre Drinker, Kacey served as a senior analyst at the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission — Congress's advisory agency on Medicaid and CHIP issues — where she led numerous qualitative research projects and policy discussions on a wide range of issues affecting access to care for Medicaid and Medicare-Medicaid dually eligible beneficiaries.
Michael Bagel
Michael Bagel is the Associate Vice President of Public Policy at the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP), the trade association for nonprofit, community health plans. He is a public policy expert with more than 15 years of working with federal policymakers and lawmakers to advance regulatory and legislative activities across federal health care programs. Michael previously served as a senior policy advisor at the Department of Health and Human Services, attorney with the Office of Management and Budget, law clerk at the US Department of Labor and as a Health Policy Associate with the Senate Finance Committee. Michael received his J.D. from the William & Mary Law School, and earned his B.A. in Political Science and History from the State University of New York at Geneseo.
Steven Girardeau, Psy.D.
Steven Girardeau, Psy.D., is the director of clinical services for Mental Health Systems (MHS), one of
the largest DBT-specialized practices in the Midwest. He has overseen the care of thousands of
clients including clients with co-morbid major mental health and personality disorders. Dr. Girardeau
has worked in non-profit community mental health clinics, private practice and multi-clinic settings.
He has been a therapist for over two decades, specializing in clinical services for clients with serious
and persistent mental health diagnoses as well as personality and chemical use disorders. Dr.
Girardeau served as the president of the Minnesota Psychological Association in 2017 and is the
current co-chair of the legislative committee. He is also a member of a number of advocacy/policy
committees and advisory groups in Minnesota. Dr. Girardeau is also politically active in the service of
psychology and the needs of clients as the head of the MPA PAC, a political action committee for the
state of Minnesota.
Dr. Girardeau has worked as a clinician, clinical director, training director, program supervisor and a
clinical team consultant. He has provided trainings at regional conferences, local seminars and
created training programs in the areas of DBT, abuse, crisis management and safety planning, clinical
work with clients with personality disorders, and treatment of clients with dual disorders. He has
helped develop and implement new programming for many of the above populations.
Amy Aldighere
Amy joined Express Scripts in May 2000 and has served in various leadership roles during her tenure
with an extensive amount of this time in the Regulated Markets space, as well as a number of years
in the Federal Division leading the Department of Defense client services team. Prior to coming
aboard, she worked in the Marketing area of a start-up wireless communications company for
several years.
In her current role, she is responsible for operational excellence, solution development and client
consultation for a multitude of capabilities that are core to the regulated lines of business. Amy
maintains regulatory compliance across Medicare, Medicaid and Healthcare reform lines of business
including both federal and state laws. She is involved in new solution development and execution
through identification of market intelligence and client feedback.
Amy holds a BS in business administration from York College of Pennsylvania. She provides
consultation and service to clients and members, is a key contributor and entrusted with strategic
client initiatives, excels at working cross-functionally to enhance the EGWP in terms of benefit,
formulary, and network offerings, and is skilled in the interpretation of CMS guidance and
regulations.
Derek Fretheim
Derek Fretheim serves as Senior Director, Innovation at Transdev. Headquartered in Lombard,
Illinois, Transdev operates over 400 locations, carrying more than 450 million passengers annually
throughout the US in 39 states, Puerto Rico, and four Canadian provinces. The company specializes
in contract operations of fixed route transit, paratransit, on-demand microtransit and NEMT
services.
As Sr. Director of Innovation, Derek works with all business lines to find and evaluate new
technologies, creates strategies, and defines methods to improve processes and outcomes. He
understands the mobility management is in the era of an ever-evolving mobility landscape; one
where technology enabled mobility services has forever changed public expectations. More
specifically, he is developing the technology and strategy to digitize the transportation provider
network for the NEMT business.
Derek began his career in the transportation industry in 1990. For over three decades he has
focused on improving the customer experience by developing self-service applications, GIS-based
trip planners, real-time notification engines, mobile payment and other customer facing mobility as
a service (MaaS) applications. He’s helped deliver Federal buying standards to meet ADA
requirements, participated in shaping technology standards and advocated for personal mobility
tokens or credentials designed to better deliver transportation services to individuals. He currently
sits on the Technology Advisory Board for the Non Emergency Transportation Accreditation
Commission (NEMTAC) and helping to shape technology standards for Medicare and Medicaid.
In his spare time, Derek designs jewelry, crafts regalia for Native American dancers, and enjoys
playing ice hockey.
Stephanie Boschenreither
Stephanie is the Director of National Operations for IntelliRide, a division of Transdev. In her role, she collaborates with senior managers in the development of performance goals and long-term operational plans for the IntelliRide departments. She analyzes current operational processes and performance, recommending solutions for improvement where necessary. Stephanie ensures compliance of all federal, state, and local laws related to HIPAA, PHI, and FWA. She also devises strategies for ensuring the growth of NEMT programs, including managing relationships and agreements with external partners and vendors.
Angela Smith-Hietikko
Angela, Executive Consultant, Behavioral Health Practice at Clearlink Partners, is a seasoned behavioral health management professional with over 25 years of multifaceted experience in behavioral health program management, strategy design & planning, and development of innovative clinical programs. She brings subject matter expertise to all Behavioral Health Product lines ensuring effective cost-of-care savings initiatives, behavioral health quality metric and design solutions, and value-based payment programs. Angela has led and executed strategic planning initiatives to improve access to and optimize behavioral healthcare delivery across managed care.
Sebastian Seiguer, JD, MBA
Sebastian is the CEO and co-founder of Scene (previously emocha), a medication engagement company that provides personalized, breakthrough medication support by combining video technology, clinical coaching, and validated interventions to radically improve medication adherence rates. In 2014, Sebastian spun Scene out of Johns Hopkins with Dr. Bob Bollinger and other medication adherence experts to help communities served by public health departments, health plans including Medicaid and Medicare, and health systems. Scene is now the standard of care for infectious disease adherence monitoring and is scaling quickly. Sebastian started his career as an attorney with Allen & Overy in London before launching his first company in Munich, Germany, in 2000. He earned his law degree from Columbia Law School and his MBA in Health Care from Johns Hopkins University.
Mike Sears
Mike has been managing Contact Centers for over 20 years. Since 2009, he has been working with Medicaid and Medicare operations and is well versed in all federal requirements relating to healthcare compliance and HIPAA. Mike is an experienced NEMT professional, previously managing locations in 36 states. He works with General Manager Madeleine Malo to ensure that Transdev is delivering the NEMT services efficiently and effectively. In a previous role, Mike services as Senior Vice President of Operations and Customer Experience for at a large NEMT firm. He led the two largest Contact Centers in the firm’s network in Phoenix and Las Vegas with a combined staff of over 1100.