Full Agenda & Schedule Of Events
Registration
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Clinical Talent Management Best Practices – Models For Workforce Recruiting, Retention & Talent Optimization: The 2024 OPEN MINDS Seminar
Join us for the Clinical Talent Management Seminar: Winning Strategies for Retaining Healthcare Professionals in Today’s Arena. Just like in the world of college football, where the NCAA transfer portal redefines team dynamics, the health care industry faces a similar challenge in retaining its valuable team players.
In this masterclass, we will explore the evolving landscape of health care talent management, looking beyond the typical playbook. Our expert coaches and scouts will delve into the current workforce climate and forecast future trends. Gain insights into innovative tactics and strategies for attracting and keeping your first-string teammates while optimizing your team’s performance to meet the demands of the current challenging season.
Discover revamped approaches to compensation models, benefits packages, and cutting-edge recruitment techniques tailored to health care and the wider competitive market. Our endzone is to help executive teams decode today’s workforce’s preferences and aspirations and empower you to position your organization as the winning choice for talent.
Throughout this masterclass, you’ll develop a playbook of strategies to:
- New approaches for crafting personalized recruitment and retention strategies and leveraging technology for an enhanced employee experience
- Develop performance-driven models to elevate your team’s output and implement flexible frameworks to accommodate employee needs
- Establishing your organization as the covered “Employer of Choice”
Thomas Starling, Ed.D.
Dr. Tom Starling is a growth-focused executive who has spent his extensive career specializing in defining vision and steering strategy for mission-driven small and mid-sized organizations. Dr. Starling has demonstrated year-after-year success in securing millions of dollars in funding and grants to drive growth, revamp programs, transform operations, and fuel long-term, positive change. Dr. Starling joins OPEN MINDS as a Senior Associate.
Previously, Dr. Starling was the Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships for Rogers Behavioral Health System, a nationally recognized nonprofit provider of highly specialized psychiatric care. In this role, Dr. Starling gave voices to 21 clinics across 10 states and drove the development of a multidisciplinary division, spanning advocacy, government relationships at a state and federal level, and behavioral health prevention and education. He identified, targeted, and secured donors, oversaw 10 staff, and controlled a $2 million budget. Dr. Starling was responsible for co-managing national sponsorship decisions and hired Public Affairs Director and Advocacy Manager to optimize organizational performance and cohesively connect messaging, media, and corporate platforms to advocacy and government relations.
Dr. Starling was also the President and Chief Operating Officer for Mental Health American (MHA) of Midsouth, a nonprofit organization that connects community members with specialized mental health and wellness resources, providing services that improve quality of life and promoting effective services where mental health needs exist. Dr. Starling used his extensive leadership and fundraising experience to define overall strategy and implement a new organizational structure for the largest affiliate in the South. He developed partnerships and managed all relations with funders, donors, and foundations, in addition to providers, hospitals, and health systems. Additionally, Dr. Starling partnered with state and federal legislatures, as well as local and city government officials supervised and supported 25 staff members and controlled the $2 million annual budget. Dr. Starling fueled revenues after creating and rolling out numerous impactful programs and outlined continuing education opportunities and expanded the suicide prevention program by 10 states. Dr. Starling was also nominated to serve on the National MHA Board of Directors and was elected Board Chair from 2018 to 2020, making it the first time in 110-year history to have the affiliate CEO serve as Board Chair.
Dr. Starling is also the former Vice President of Operations for HEOPS in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Starling led daily operations and expanded business for the start-up healthcare company. He served as ISO-9001 Quality Manager, HR Manager, Call Center Supervisor, and Chief Contract Negotiator. He was responsible for tripling staff size by opening Medicaid and Medicare networks in 12 states, making the entire network expand across 40 states in total and expanding from 1 call center to 3. Dr. Starling also became a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 listed mediator during his tenure.
Dr. Starling graduated with honors from Tennessee State University with his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Administration. He also holds a Master of Arts in Medical Ethics from Vanderbilt University, a Master’s Degree in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Baylor University. Additionally, he obtained a Medical Gerontology Certification from Meharry Medical College and a Business Leadership Certification from the Vanderbilt University Owen School of Business.
Sharon Hicks, MSW, MBA
Sharon Hicks has more than 30 years of experience in the health and human service field. She has extensive experience and wide range of expertise in health plan management, in clinical operations management, and technology.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Hicks spent two decades in a number of executive positions within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) system and within its health plan division. Ms. Hicks served as the Chief Operating Officer for Community Care Behavioral Health, a managed behavioral health organization. She was responsible for all aspects of the organization’s operations including fiscal, information systems, the claims processing department, and the design of clinical systems. In addition Ms. Hicks managed the day-to-day operations of including human resources, facilities, purchasing, and security.
Ms. Hicks also served as the Vice President, Internet Strategy, UPMC Insurance Services Division and, since 2002, as the Chief Executive Officer of Askesis Development Group, Inc. since May of 2002. In this role, Ms. Hicks was responsible for the growth of the company, profitability of the company, and the direction of software development.
Ms. Hick started her impressive health care career as a psychiatric social worker before being promoted to Assistant Director of Social Work. Prior to her executive promotions, Ms. Hicks served as a Clinical Administrator for both Ambulatory Services and Emergency and Intake Services at the UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. In this role, Ms. Hicks managed the behavioral health division, the budgets for all departments, and implemented new software replacing paper billing for clinical services.
Ms. Hicks received both her Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Social Work degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. Before pursuing her graduate education, Ms. Hicks received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
How To Develop A New Service Line: The 2024 OPEN MINDS Seminar On Building A Diversification Strategy & Conducting A Feasibility Analysis
In the current environment of changing consumer expectations and new financial models, two essential skills that all executives need to master is the ability to evaluate and modify existing services as well as to develop new services to meet the challenges in the changing market, including being more financially viable and relevant to consumers. In this exciting seminar, OPEN MINDS industry expert, Joseph P. Naughton-Travers, EdM, will breakdown the processes for compiling and ranking new service line ideas, conducting a thorough feasibility analysis, and planning the final service line development and launch.
- Implementing a five-step process for evaluating new service line opportunities
- Conducting a market and financial feasibility analysis
- Planning a best practice service line development and launch
Joseph P. Naughton-Travers, EdM
Joseph P. Naughton-Travers, EdM, Senior Associate, has more than 30 years of experience in the health and human service field. In this tenure as 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. His primary areas of expertise include strategic planning and metrics-based management, electronic health record (EHR) and technology selection and implementation, operations improvement, and corporate compliance. 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.
Dee DeWitt
Dee DeWitt has extensive experience as a consultant and corporate leader in the healthcare field. Mr. DeWitt brings over 28 years of experience in healthcare finance and operations, M&A, use of technology, strategic planning, and change management in healthcare organizations to OPEN MINDS as a Senior Associate.
Previously, Mr. DeWitt was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Momentum for Health, a CARF-accredited non-profit behavioral health organization providing services to individuals with a diagnosed serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance abuse disorder, in San Jose, California. During his tenure, Mr. DeWitt increased outpatient productivity by 25% and contributed to growing revenues from $55 million to a projected $71+ million for the fiscal year of 2023. Mr. DeWitt also oversaw Momentum ‘s pilot with Santa Clara County’s transition to Netsmart Provider Connect and led a successful grant award and implementation of a multi-year paid intern program in partnership with Santa Clara University, San Jose University, and Palo Alto University.
Mr. DeWitt was also the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Veridian Financial Group, a strategic consulting firm specializing in performing long-term, on-site C-level and Director roles, evaluating and implementing financial strategies, strategic operational planning, and development strategies for companies that are poised for significant growth, change, or require turnaround attention, in San Jose, California. During his time at Veridian Financial Group, Mr. DeWitt focused primarily on healthcare, finance, technology, and private equity and coordinated licensing, compliance, and external audits for 42 state licenses, including managed care organizations, managed care plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and service provider organizations.
In addition, Mr. DeWitt served as Chief Financial Officer and a Consultant in Strategic Planning and Finance for Home Recovery – Home Aid, Inc., a private equity-backed, for-profit company that provides personal care and skilled care in 35 locations and in-home care throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. During his time there, Mr. DeWitt was a member of the company’s executive management team, audit team, and License & Compliance team. Mr. DeWitt also served as Chief Financial Officer of Professional Healthcare Resources, Inc., a for-profit holding company comprised of 5 home health companies, 4 hospice companies, and 2 private duty/personal care companies. Mr. DeWitt has also been the Chief Financial and Technology Officer for The Filson, a nationally renowned non-profit archive and research institute, and Director of Strategic Development for Signature Healthcare, LLC, a national private equity-backed for-profit, long-term care company operating over 180 facilities, with 18,000 employees, and over $1 billion in revenues.
Mr. DeWitt also held the positions of Deputy Director of Behavioral Health at the County of Ventura, CA Behavioral Health Services Department, and Director of Finance and Management Services of the Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS), a joint commissioned accredited non-profit.
Mr. DeWitt graduated from the University of Louisville, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and a Master’s in Political Science with a concentration in Economics and Public Policy.
Exhibit Hall Grand Opening
Join us for an unveiling of all of our great exhibitors!
Breakfast & Registration
If you haven’t registered yet, check in with us at the registration desk and then enjoy breakfast in the exhibit hall!
The Growth & Challenges Of For-Profit Specialty Provider Organizations: The C-Suite Perspective
Join our panel of industry leaders from for-profit specialty provider organizations as they discuss the impact of current market trends, proven strategies for organizational growth, and offer perspective on what’s next.
John Peloquin, Ph.D., MBA
John Peloquin’s career spans more than 20 years of achievement in successfully building and leading behavioral healthcare organizations.
During the late 1990s, as Chief Administrative Officer/Director of Operations for Vital Imaging, Mr. Peloquin developed and executed organizational growth initiatives, including strategic partnerships and alliances to expand preventive medical treatment throughout the western United States.
He then became Division President of CRC Health Group, one of the nation’s largest behavioral healthcare providers. He joined the firm in 2004 and was responsible for multiple service lines integrally involved with the growth of company facilities which included a portfolio of premium and low-cost residential facilities treating substance abuse, mental health, eating disorders, and providing an array of ancillary services. A Bain Capital sponsored company, CRC was sold to Acadia Healthcare in 2015 for $1.3B. At that time, this deal constituted the largest organizational sale in the history of the behavioral healthcare field.
Mr. Peloquin was named Division President for Acadia Healthcare, heading up Acadia’s national outpatient division, charged with servicing more than 58,000 patients per day across 27 states. In this capacity, he helped the division to nearly double in size through acquisition, de novo, and organic growth methods. As a result, the organization became the national market leader in medication-assisted treatment.
After great success improving clinical and organizational systems at Acadia Healthcare, Mr. Peloquin became Chief Executive Officer of Cliffside Malibu, a network of evidence-based addiction treatment centers located in Malibu, California. In 2018, he facilitated the merger of Cliffside Malibu with Center of Discovery, resulting in the formation of Discovery Behavioral Health where he currently serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Peloquin is married with three children and lives with his family in San Diego. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis in Finance and a Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences.
David K. White, Ph.D.
With more than two decades of health care administration experience in psychiatric care and substance abuse treatment, physical rehabilitation, long term care and acute hospital services, Dr. David White joined MedMark as President and CEO in January of 2008, growing the company from 3 clinics in California to over 254 locations in the US and Canada. BayMark is now largest opioid treatment company in North America offering a continuum of outpatient treatment services, outpatient detox and recovery services, and inpatient withdrawal management services.
Prior to joining the company, he served as President, Hospital Management Services for Nashville-based Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. Prior to that, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Horizon Health Corporation, managing over 180 hospital locations and overseeing rapid expansion and acquisition strategies, resulting in the acquisition of 15 hospitals until the company merged with Psychiatric Solutions in 2007. Prior to Horizon, Dr. White was the CEO of Charles River Health Management, a psychiatric contract management company in Boston and at Charles River Hospital, a specialty psychiatric and substance abuse hospital also in Massachusetts. He received a bachelor’s degree in science from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, and obtained master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
Thought Leader Discussion
Join our keynote panelists for an interactive discussion where you can take time to ask your own questions and continue the conversation.
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.
Maximizing Impact: Leveraging HEDIS Measures For Operational Success
More than 227 million people are enrolled in health plans (commercial, Medicaid, Medicare) that report HEDIS results, making HEDIS one of health care’s most widely used performance improvement tools.
For specialty health care providers, HEDIS measures are impacting how care is provided and how both clinical and financial “success” is determined. Demonstrating the positive impact of your services based on HEDIS measures can give your organization a competitive contracting advantage in a competitive market, and may open the door for reimbursement bonuses and incentives.
In today’s performance and value-based environment, executive leadership’s ability to implement and operationalize these measures into daily service delivery is becoming increasingly important.
This session, we will explore how two organizations have successfully implemented HEDIS measurement in the daily program and service delivery.
Key Takeaways include:
- Best practice implementation strategies of HEDIS measures into treatment programs and coordinated care systems across your organization
- How to leverage positive HEDIS outcomes results with payers for bonus incentives, new contract development and service line expansion
- The ins and outs of tracking and reporting data and outcomes measures to payers
Brian Welsh, M.D.
Dr. Brian Welsh is the Chief Medical Officer at Coleman Health Services, a nationally-recognized nonprofit behavioral health organization with services in multiple counties throughout the state of Ohio. Dr. Welsh is board-certified in Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry, and is clinical adjunct faculty at Northeast Ohio Medical University and Lincoln Memorial University. Dr. Welsh balances clinical care, forensic evaluations, and administrative duties as part of his role of Chief Medical Officer at Coleman. Active with the Senior Leadership Team at Coleman, Dr. Welsh is involved in strategic direction, implementing and developing strong clinical care and medical practice for persons served at Coleman, and monitoring of outcomes and best practices.
Margaret Mays
Margaret Mays brings over 20 years of health care industry experience to the OPEN MINDS team. Ms. Mays currently serves as a Senior Associate at OPEN MINDS. Her areas of expertise include quality program design and metrics-based programs, training development, health care processing systems, policy development, and accreditation/regulatory requirements.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Mays served as the Vice President of Quality Improvement at Magellan Health Services, where she provided comprehensive quality leadership, developed high-performance teams, and improved metrics. She launched the Magellan Lean Six Sigma Training Institute resulting in an ROI of $1.7 million. Ms. Mays cultivated a high-performance team of over 20 staff members and improved department productivity through mentoring and coaching.
Prior to her role at Magellan Health, Ms. Mays served as the Director of Quality Management at TLC Family Care Healthplan, a division of Amerigroup, where she successfully managed MCO NCQA accreditation and directed all HEDIS processes. Ms. Mays helped produce a 27% improvement in Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment. She also achieved 95% and above performance on state audits through a full-spectrum quality improvement program.
Previously, Ms. Mays served as the Director of Quality and Compliance at Magellan Health Services, where she managed a wide range of quality processes, developed high impact reporting, and collaborated with cross functional teams to improve data accuracy. At Magellan, Ms. Mays achieved a track record of exemplary audit scores through implementing state-of-the-art practices.
Ms. Mays received a Doctor of Health Sciences from A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. She holds a master’s degree in Health Administration from the University of Washington. She previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Administration from the University of Alabama.
Technology Trends, Challenges, & Innovations For Serving The I/DD Population
Three key technology trends are dominating specialty health care for the I/DD population in 2024. The first being that Medicaid is likely to be the next frontier for health care technology innovation. Second, we know that the ‘hybrid model’ for service delivery is here to stay. And finally, the expansion of the role of technology beyond health records and billing.
Amidst this technological evolution, there is immense potential to enhance the lives of those with I/DD. However, as providers navigate the adoption of these cutting-edge tools, they often encounter challenges such as data security, privacy, choice, and informed consent. Additionally, overcoming policy barriers in funding becomes crucial.
In this panel discussion we will hear how innovative organizations have approached these issues and review the outcomes of these programs.
- Discover innovative types of technology available for the I/DD population
- Discuss federal and state funding programs to improve access to assistive technology
- Learn about improved outcomes when using technology with this population
Nanette L. Perrin
Stephanie Rasmussen
Mike Strouse
For more than 30 years Mike has led GoodLife Innovations, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Mike’s extensive work encompasses research, development, refinement, and dissemination of evidence-based, nationally-regarded, community service models that consistently produce person-centered care and high quality-of-life outcomes for those served. Mike’s consultant services are widely sought after by private corporations, cities, and state governments interested in best-practice and emerging technologies for models supporting semi-independent populations in the community. Mike earned his Ph.D. in developmental and child psychology and holds a courtesy faculty appointment in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas. He continues to participate in research, assist with the training of graduate students, and successfully maintains this important 40-year partnership.
Sharon Hicks, MSW, MBA
Sharon Hicks has more than 30 years of experience in the health and human service field. She has extensive experience and wide range of expertise in health plan management, in clinical operations management, and technology.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Hicks spent two decades in a number of executive positions within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) system and within its health plan division. Ms. Hicks served as the Chief Operating Officer for Community Care Behavioral Health, a managed behavioral health organization. She was responsible for all aspects of the organization’s operations including fiscal, information systems, the claims processing department, and the design of clinical systems. In addition Ms. Hicks managed the day-to-day operations of including human resources, facilities, purchasing, and security.
Ms. Hicks also served as the Vice President, Internet Strategy, UPMC Insurance Services Division and, since 2002, as the Chief Executive Officer of Askesis Development Group, Inc. since May of 2002. In this role, Ms. Hicks was responsible for the growth of the company, profitability of the company, and the direction of software development.
Ms. Hick started her impressive health care career as a psychiatric social worker before being promoted to Assistant Director of Social Work. Prior to her executive promotions, Ms. Hicks served as a Clinical Administrator for both Ambulatory Services and Emergency and Intake Services at the UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. In this role, Ms. Hicks managed the behavioral health division, the budgets for all departments, and implemented new software replacing paper billing for clinical services.
Ms. Hicks received both her Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Social Work degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. Before pursuing her graduate education, Ms. Hicks received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
Embracing Non-Traditional Partnerships To Meet Shifting Market Positions
The new and trending behavioral health service models are becoming more inclusive of nontraditional community-based organization (CBO) services to address social determinants of health for high-need consumers. The development of new partnerships with health & human service providers is critical for success in the delivery of behavioral health services for these consumers. As such, business development and marketing plans need to include modified strategies for provider organizations to develop key relationships that meet new coordinated care and whole-person care goals under emerging alternative payment models.
In this session, attendees will:
- Learn how to assess market changes: payer needs, competition, new treatment populations,
- Discover strategies for shifting business development plans to focus on improved program performance through leveraged community partnerships
- Learn how to use strategic partnerships to increase client referrals and develop a community-based network to support expanded consumer service needs
Brandon Fernandez-Comer, MPH
Brandon joined the CRI-Help family in 2013 after working with various nonprofits, both in the U.S. and abroad, striving to improve health outcomes for marginalized populations. Brandon received his B.A. at the University of Denver, was an exchange student at the University of Oxford, and received his Masters of Public Health at UCLA. Brandon has been featured as an expert panelist for UCLA’s Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, serves on the boards of the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives (CAADPE) and the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP), and is also a member of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Substance Abuse Prevention and Control’s Provider Advisory Committee.
Jose C. Salazar, DrPH, MPH
José C. Salazar, Dr.PH, holds a Master’s and Doctoral degree in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. Since 1988, he has worked in the substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and mental health fields as a counselor, health educator, community organizer, researcher, and administrator. He has been the Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) for several Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and other federal entity funded programs that focus on providing substance use disorder (SUD) and/or mental health services to both adults and youth who are homeless, formerly incarcerated, uninsured, and/or identify as LGBTQ. Dr. Salazar also oversees the academic and administrative operation of TTC’s College which graduates individuals as certified addiction specialists. He is a member of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and routinely conducts presentations on various health topics at local and national conferences.
Rising To Meet New Demand – New Service Lines For The Aging & Medically Complex I/DD Population
Older adults are emerging as the fastest-growing segment of our population, and this is also true for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
As the average lifespan of consumers living with I/DD increases so does the complexity of their medical and social needs. These trends provide a niche opportunity for provider organizations to develop new programs and service lines to meet the changing needs of aging and medically complex consumers living with I/DD.
In this session, our industry experts will:
- Uncover trends in the health care market for aging, how it differs from our I/DD structures, and new opportunities for service line development.
- Learn how to leverage current staff skills and strategies for easily shifting these talents to new programs
- Explore new approaches for diversifying your service line portfolio with new payers to support long-term organizational growth
Solomon Parker
Elaine Aguirre, M.D.
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 managed care and value-based reimbursement models, financial analysis and management, mergers and acquisitions, CCBHC certification, integrated care, 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 Certified Behavioral Health Center status, earned over $850K in value-based reimbursement contract quality bonus awards, integrated three organizations through merger/acquisition, opened a primary care service that was integrated into programming for the severe and persistent mentally ill and homeless populations, 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 of 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, in his role as a manager for Healthcare Corporation of America (HCA) and 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 a 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 corporations, 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, Wheeling, West Virginia, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Collaborative Care Models
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.
Lunch On Your Own
Try the Enclave Lobby Bar and Kitchen in the hotel or one of the local restaurants!
Post Lunch Pick Me Up
Don’t miss this after lunch break in the exhibit hall for a special treat!
Overcoming Operational Challenges Of Digital Transformation & AI
While digital transformation is often thought of as customer-centric improvements, its impact on operational excellence—specifically in clinical decision support, patient flow, staffing, scheduling, and supply chain management—is equally significant. However, many organizations grapple with outdated systems that hinder the integration of modern digital solutions and AI, posing challenges related to implementation costs, staff training, adoption timelines, and resistance to embracing new technology.
Join our industry experts for an in-depth exploration of strategies aimed at garnering buy-in from clinical staff and operational staff. Plus, comprehensive management strategies for facilitating seamless integration of AI-driven tools and processes. This session is designed to tackle these pressing challenges head-on, focusing on the pivotal role of AI in transforming health care operations.
Key Takeaways:
- Examine and tackle the Common Operational Challenges in Digital Transformation & AI with effective strategies to surmount them
- Strategies for leveraging the power of AI to navigate the landscape of technology solutions to align with operational needs,
- Understand the profound impact of AI-driven digital transformation on clinical and operational processes
Susan Doig, LCSW, LPHA, CADC
Susan has worked in integrated and behavioral health settings for more than 25 years, 17 of which have been with Trilogy. Susan has served as Trilogy’s Chief Clinical Officer since 2009 and as Interim President and CEO since last October. As Chief Clinical Officer, Susan designed clinical programs to best meet the needs of the community and expanded services at Trilogy to include intensive outreach services for people who have been left out of traditional case management models.
Susan’s passion for community mental health began when she was a student in Missouri, where she worked with adults experiencing mental illness who were institutionalized. That experience helped shape her desire to help people live in community settings. After returning to Chicago and receiving her master’s degree in social work from University of Illinois, Susan became part of a team dedicated to helping people with mental illness who were incarcerated in Cook County Jail as they returned to the community.
Susan has years of experience in mentoring and developing a talented clinical work force and is proud of Trilogy’s culture of inclusivity, excellence, and compassion at Trilogy. Susan remains dedicated to mental health advocacy, to highlighting the need for mental health services, and to providing high quality behavioral health services to all.
The Evolution Of Funding Models For I/DD Services – Strategies, Challenges, & Operational Shifts In The Managed Care Era
In recent years U.S. spending on in home and community-based settings for long-term services and supports accounted for 55% of the $445 billion budget. While the history of funding for I/DD services has been a mélange of local, state, and federal funds, more states are now moving their I/DD programs into Home and Community Based waiver programs. This shift is leading to decreased funding from local management and more toward traditional managed care processes. For many providers of services to this population, these shifts raise practical, as well as programmatic, challenges.
In this session, join our industry leaders for an evaluation of:
- Emerging funding models and the implications on traditional providers in moving to managed care
- Strategies for provider organizations adapting to shifting market trends and improving quality of services delivered
- Operational changes that executives should be considering as the move to managed care continues
Najla Wortham
As the President of The Rock Creek Foundation, Najla Wortham brings over 16 years of experience in the fields of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and severe and persistent mental illness. Najla has been instrumental in leading Rock Creek’s mission to empower individuals to reach their full potential.
Under Najla’s leadership, Rock Creek has expanded its reach and impact, providing vital support and resources to the most vulnerable populations. Through innovative service delivery models and a commitment to evidence-based practices, Najla has led the organization in achieving positive outcomes, transforming lives, and building healthier, more resilient communities.
Najla is a proud alumna of two prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Howard University and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Bowie State University. Since becoming a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in 2012, she has been deeply committed to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to comprehensive support and resources to thrive.
Najla is a staunch advocate for mental health and disability rights, actively participating in countless advocacy efforts to promote policy changes and raise awareness about the importance of accessible and equitable services. Additionally, Najla serves on several advisory boards and committees, contributing expertise and insight to drive meaningful systematic change and inspire others to join in the journey towards a more inclusive and equitable future.
Najla made history as the first African American woman to assume the role of President at Rock Creek. Her leadership is grounded in the fundamental belief in the inherent worth and potential of every individual.
Sharon Hicks, MSW, MBA
Sharon Hicks has more than 30 years of experience in the health and human service field. She has extensive experience and wide range of expertise in health plan management, in clinical operations management, and technology.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Hicks spent two decades in a number of executive positions within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) system and within its health plan division. Ms. Hicks served as the Chief Operating Officer for Community Care Behavioral Health, a managed behavioral health organization. She was responsible for all aspects of the organization’s operations including fiscal, information systems, the claims processing department, and the design of clinical systems. In addition Ms. Hicks managed the day-to-day operations of including human resources, facilities, purchasing, and security.
Ms. Hicks also served as the Vice President, Internet Strategy, UPMC Insurance Services Division and, since 2002, as the Chief Executive Officer of Askesis Development Group, Inc. since May of 2002. In this role, Ms. Hicks was responsible for the growth of the company, profitability of the company, and the direction of software development.
Ms. Hick started her impressive health care career as a psychiatric social worker before being promoted to Assistant Director of Social Work. Prior to her executive promotions, Ms. Hicks served as a Clinical Administrator for both Ambulatory Services and Emergency and Intake Services at the UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. In this role, Ms. Hicks managed the behavioral health division, the budgets for all departments, and implemented new software replacing paper billing for clinical services.
Ms. Hicks received both her Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Social Work degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. Before pursuing her graduate education, Ms. Hicks received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
Community Health Workers – Understanding The Latest Medi-Cal Benefit Rollout
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) added Community Health Worker (CHW) services as a Medi-Cal benefit starting July 1, 2022. CHW services are an integral part of Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports offered by managed care plans (MCPs) as part of the CalAIM initiative.
CHW services assist with a variety of concerns impacting MCP Members, including but not limited to, the control and prevention of chronic conditions or infectious diseases, behavioral health conditions, and the need for preventive services. Additionally, CHW services can help Medi-Cal members receive appropriate services related to perinatal care, preventive care, sexual and reproductive health, environmental and climate-sensitive health issues, oral health, aging, injury, and domestic violence and other violence prevention services. CHWs are known by a variety of job titles, including promotores, community health representatives, navigators, and other non-licensed public health workers.
In this session, CalOptima Health and its partners in Orange County will share their rollout of the Medi-Cal CHW benefit informed by Co-Design sessions with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) convened and facilitated in partnership with the Orange County Network of Care. In these Co-Design sessions, key issues were identified, and topics were prioritized for inclusion in the CHW Academy for Supervising Providers that CalOptima Health launched and conducted in partnership with Community Institute for Change LLC and its associates. Learn the positive impact of having a community-informed approach and the importance of collaborating with the community to develop strategies for a successful launch of the CHW benefit.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand key themes from the CHW Co-Design sessions and insights from the process to learn how healthcare leaders can deepen and broaden their organizations’ approach to a successful implementation of this new Medi-Cal service.
- Learn about the CHW Academy for Supervising Providers and other strategies launched by CalOptima Health informed by engaging community partners
- Gain best practices for how to engage community providers as partners in planning, learning, and developing strategies
Mario Ortega
Mia Arias
Iliana Soto
Iliana is the Principal Consultant with Community Institute for Change LLC. She works with various public and private sector clients on health equity, policy, program and planning initiatives. She serves on several local and state-level committees, including being the Co-Chair of the Office of Health Equity Advisory Committee with the California Department of Public Health, Co-Chair for the County of Orange Behavioral Health Equity Committee, and serves on the CalOptima Health Member Advisory Committee representing Behavioral Health. She has been an Equity Advisor for Public Health Advocates and a Health Equity Consultant with Mind OC. She is also currently the Director of the OC Network of Care with Orange County United Way powered by the California Accountable Communities for Health Initiative. She is a catalyst for systems change and has worked on community change initiatives for almost 30 years. Her passion is helping people have a voice in the systems and institutions that impact their lives. She recently organized the Healthcare Everywhere: The Rise of Community Health Workers conference with Coast Community College District and worked with CalOptima Health to launch the CHW Academy for Supervising Providers.
Richard Louis, III
Richard Louis, III, brings extensive experience in public and for-profit behavioral healthcare administration and business development to the OPEN MINDS team. Mr. Louis was formerly the Executive Director of Strategic Development and Planning, Pacific Region, for Providence Service Corporation.
Prior to OPEN MINDS, Mr. Louis served as the Assistant Director of the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, the 4th largest county behavioral health system in California, where he was responsible for day-to-day operations of a system serving over 50,000 unduplicated consumers annually through 31 county-operated facilities and 60 contract provider organizations.
Prior to his work with San Bernardino County, Mr. Louis was the Vice President of Government Operations for College Health Enterprises. In this role, he pioneered the development of public sector partnerships, contracts, and community mental health system joint ventures in California by creating some of the first inpatient psychiatric hospital-based, outpatient, day treatment, and institutional specialty treatment programs for county, state, and federal government agencies including L.A. County Department of Mental Health, L.A. County Probation Department, California Youth Authority, California Department of Developmental Disabilities, California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, and U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security.
Mr. Louis has served in a number of leadership roles with several organizations in the community including: the California Hospital Association – Center for Behavioral Health, Advisory Board, and SCAN Health Plan – Advisory Board; the Board of Directors of the Forensic Mental Health Association of California, College Hospitals, and the Intercommunity Child Guidance Center of Whittier; and testified on behalf of the National Association of Psychiatric Healthcare Systems before President Bush’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. Mr. Louis is currently a volunteer police officer with the City of Monterey Park Police Department in East Los Angeles serving since 1987 and currently holds the rank of Captain. Mr. Louis was recently appointed to the City of Claremont Police Commission in Los Angeles County.
He is a graduate of Whittier College and of the Police Academy of Rio Hondo College.
Leveraging Organizational Culture For Innovation & Sustainability
Today’s executive leaders recognize the significance a healthy organizational culture plays in overcoming prevalent challenges like shortage of front-line staff, limited licensed professionals, and increased wage and salary demands.
However, the impact of culture extends beyond recruitment and retention efforts, especially in an era where innovation is key for developing competitive programs and services. Cultivating a culture that fosters innovation within your organization serves as a catalyst for staff adherence to best practices, improved consumer outcomes, and ultimately enhanced financial sustainability of the organization.
In this session, our industry leaders will:
- Explore key components of creating a culture of innovation to bolster financial sustainability within your organization
- Offer strategies for building a supportive and inclusive work environment that promotes effective communication, trust, and cooperation among team members
- Share practical solutions to overcoming employee resistance to change
Talent Management Reimagined: Best Practices For I/DD Service Providers
A new report from the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) Foundation and United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) finds that 63% of disability service provider organizations have discontinued programs and services in the past year due to staffing shortages.
Across the industry, keeping up with the changing preferences and practices of the workforce is a challenge with real consequences. Many provider organizations continue to see decreased revenues (and margins) due to programs that have closed and programs operating at reduced capacity—due to lack of staffing.
Join our industry experts for an exploration of “best practices” in this new world of talent management for organizations serving consumers with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Better understand the differences in generational culture that create problems for staff engagement
- Learn how technology can be used to bridge gaps and help develop a more productive culture with staff
- Develop insights into how others are building new HR based programs to develop staff, promote inclusion, and compete for the best talent
Virginia Gabby
Virginia Gabby has been a Merakey team member since 2019. She has held different roles during her tenure and is currently the Executive Director for IDD Program Development for California. Ms. Gabby leads development initiatives to improve and expand service lines offered within California for individuals with intellectual and/developmental disabilities. She is responsible for development oversight as well as project management and program support. Responsibilities in Virginia’s prior role as a Regional Director with Merakey included operational leadership and management in Northern California.
Virginia’s experience includes the implementation of statewide assessment processes and tools in California and in Michigan for adolescents and adults living with disabilities. Ms. Gabby has served as a Director of Student Services in higher education supporting under-resourced college students and has also worked as a government partner for resource and community coordination with the American Red Cross disaster relief services. Ms. Gabby’s professional focus is addressing barriers that may exist for individuals who have traditionally been underserved and may lack adequate access to support systems. Virginia has been committed to advocacy in both the professional and political arenas, dedicating her time and energy to encourage systemic change for vulnerable populations.
Virginia resides in Northern California with her fiancé and their three charming Chihuahuas. She is actively involved with her local community and enjoys weekend excursions to the redwoods, gardening and dinners with family and friends.
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 managed care and value-based reimbursement models, financial analysis and management, mergers and acquisitions, CCBHC certification, integrated care, 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 Certified Behavioral Health Center status, earned over $850K in value-based reimbursement contract quality bonus awards, integrated three organizations through merger/acquisition, opened a primary care service that was integrated into programming for the severe and persistent mentally ill and homeless populations, 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 of 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, in his role as a manager for Healthcare Corporation of America (HCA) and 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 a 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 corporations, 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, Wheeling, West Virginia, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Creating A Budget For A Merger Or Acquisition – From Outreach To Integration
The last several years have seen record numbers of mergers, acquisitions and affiliations, and the pace of these activities does not appear to be slowing. If anything, the pace continues to grow as provider organizations address shrinking margins, increased competition, changing payment models, and the need to scale to afford capital investments for growth and diversification. This session will provide CFOs, finance professionals, and executive teams with real world examples of M&A budgeting while identifying the tools to begin developing financial M&A plans.
- They key components and considerations of a successful M&A financial plan
- Solutions to overcoming common obstacles through out the M&A process
- Strategies for evaluating the effectiveness of M&A financial plans, and knowing when to pivot.
Carol Bean, MBA
Carol Bean is chief financial officer for Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health and addiction services. She manages Centerstone’s revenues and leads a finance team of more than 225 professionals, including those working in financial planning and analysis, accounts payable, accounts receivable, procurement, and payroll. Bean also works alongside Centerstone’s chief information officer to have oversight of the organization’s robust information technology department.
Bean first joined Centerstone in 2014 as assistant corporate controller then advanced to director and vice president posts. Prior to that, she served as finance manager at Deloitte Services LLP, account specialist at Cigna Government Services, accounting services supervisor at Coventry Healthcare, and regional accounting manager at America Service Group.
She holds a Masters of Business in administration from University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in business administration, accounting from East Tennessee State University.
Dee DeWitt
Dee DeWitt has extensive experience as a consultant and corporate leader in the healthcare field. Mr. DeWitt brings over 28 years of experience in healthcare finance and operations, M&A, use of technology, strategic planning, and change management in healthcare organizations to OPEN MINDS as a Senior Associate.
Previously, Mr. DeWitt was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Momentum for Health, a CARF-accredited non-profit behavioral health organization providing services to individuals with a diagnosed serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance abuse disorder, in San Jose, California. During his tenure, Mr. DeWitt increased outpatient productivity by 25% and contributed to growing revenues from $55 million to a projected $71+ million for the fiscal year of 2023. Mr. DeWitt also oversaw Momentum ‘s pilot with Santa Clara County’s transition to Netsmart Provider Connect and led a successful grant award and implementation of a multi-year paid intern program in partnership with Santa Clara University, San Jose University, and Palo Alto University.
Mr. DeWitt was also the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Veridian Financial Group, a strategic consulting firm specializing in performing long-term, on-site C-level and Director roles, evaluating and implementing financial strategies, strategic operational planning, and development strategies for companies that are poised for significant growth, change, or require turnaround attention, in San Jose, California. During his time at Veridian Financial Group, Mr. DeWitt focused primarily on healthcare, finance, technology, and private equity and coordinated licensing, compliance, and external audits for 42 state licenses, including managed care organizations, managed care plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and service provider organizations.
In addition, Mr. DeWitt served as Chief Financial Officer and a Consultant in Strategic Planning and Finance for Home Recovery – Home Aid, Inc., a private equity-backed, for-profit company that provides personal care and skilled care in 35 locations and in-home care throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. During his time there, Mr. DeWitt was a member of the company’s executive management team, audit team, and License & Compliance team. Mr. DeWitt also served as Chief Financial Officer of Professional Healthcare Resources, Inc., a for-profit holding company comprised of 5 home health companies, 4 hospice companies, and 2 private duty/personal care companies. Mr. DeWitt has also been the Chief Financial and Technology Officer for The Filson, a nationally renowned non-profit archive and research institute, and Director of Strategic Development for Signature Healthcare, LLC, a national private equity-backed for-profit, long-term care company operating over 180 facilities, with 18,000 employees, and over $1 billion in revenues.
Mr. DeWitt also held the positions of Deputy Director of Behavioral Health at the County of Ventura, CA Behavioral Health Services Department, and Director of Finance and Management Services of the Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS), a joint commissioned accredited non-profit.
Mr. DeWitt graduated from the University of Louisville, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and a Master’s in Political Science with a concentration in Economics and Public Policy.
Executive Networking Reception
End your day by unwinding with your peers, colleagues, thought leaders, and vendors. Join us in the exhibit hall and enjoy a cocktail and hors d’oeurvres!
Breakfast
Join us for a hot breakfast and coffee in the exhibit hall to start your day!
Revolutionizing Care: Payer Insights & Strategies For Transforming I/DD & Long Term Support Services
Join Nanette L. Perrin, Senior Director Of LifeShare & Social Determinants Of Health and Stephanie Rasmussen, Vice President, Long Term Support & Services at Sunflower Health Plan, for deep dive into the payer perspective on value-based reimbursement for I/DD and long term support services.
Ms. Perrin and Ms. Rasmussen will unpack the latest advancements in long-term support services and I/DD care, and offer attendees firsthand look at Sunflower Health Plan’s transformative philosophy on deinstitutionalization and its impact on community-provider relationships. Plus, discover strategies for leveraging remote technology to bolster existing programs and offer actionable insights for providers aiming to make inroads into this rapidly growing field.
Nanette L. Perrin
Thought Leader Discussion
Join our keynote panelists for an interactive discussion where you can take time to ask your own questions and continue the conversation.
Assessing Integration Readiness: How To Craft A Winning Whole Person Care Strategy
Designed for health and behavioral health care leaders considering their options for launching whole person care, this session covers the prevailing models for integrated service delivery, including co-location, tech-enabled models and fully integrated services, with a focus on identifying the potential challenges, risks, and opportunities for seamless integration. Participants will learn how to develop a comprehensive integration readiness plan that aligns with the organization’s strategic and financial goals and minimizes disruptions during the integration process.
Attendees will:
- Understand the importance of Integration Readiness
- Identify promising integration models for your organization
- Learn the fundamental concepts of whole person care, and its potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce staff burden and address populations with complex needs.
- Evaluate risks and challenges on your integration journey
Julie Dees, MBA, LPC
Julie Dees joined Family Service Association of Bucks County in April 2020 after serving at Penn Medicine as the Director of Behavioral Health at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. She possesses more than 25 years of combined clinical and administrative leadership experience. She has a solid reputation for departmental and organizational vision and growth, staff development, building and fostering positive community relationships, and successful engagement with community partners in a way that significantly and positively contributes to programmatic success. She envisioned a crisis model of engagement within emergency departments for individuals having overdosed or likely to have opioid use disorder, and was awarded a 1.5M SAMHSA grant to implement this model of treatment. Bringing innovative solutions to complex social and public health problems is her trademark. The newly launched Street Medicine Program is continuing this tradition and demonstrates the successful integration of whole person care for individuals experiencing homelessness. Julie is a decorated United States Air Force Veteran and Licensed Professional Counselor. Dees received her master’s degree in psychological counseling from La Salle University in Philadelphia and her MBA from West Texas A&M.
Christy Dye, MPH
Christy Dye is a data-focused healthcare executive who brings over 30 years of experience supporting provider organizations, state agencies, and communities in achieving their business, operational, and quality goals in health and human services to OPEN MINDS as a Senior Associate. Christy’s career has included working as a state Medicaid leader, a national expert in substance abuse treatment systems, health information exchange and interoperability, and as chief executive for Arizona’s leading integrated primary/behavioral healthcare provider.
Prior to OPEN MINDS, Ms. Dye served as Chief Business Development Officer for Health Current, (division of Contexture), Arizona’s statewide health information exchange (HIE). While there, Ms. Dye developed provider education and training programs in using clinical and administrative data to improve patient outcomes and manage value-based reimbursement contracts. She led the Health Current HIE research data initiative in partnership with Arizona State University and also served as co-principal investigator for a National Institute of Mental Health project at ASU focused on information sharing for behavioral health populations.
Ms. Dye is the former Chief Executive Officer for Partners in Recovery (now Copa Health), an Arizona agency serving more than 10,000 adults with serious mental illness. At Partners she created a network of fully integrated behavioral and primary care clinics for SMI adults, and launched the company’s population health, value-based and complex care programs, including Arizona’s only Medical Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team.
Prior to PIR, she served as Division Chief for Clinical and Recovery Services and Arizona’s state substance abuse director at the Arizona Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health. As a state official, she served on a team charged with the re-design of Medicaid behavioral health benefits in Arizona and oversaw the expansion of the state’s contracted managed care system to a more recovery focused model, including expansion of peer-delivered mental health, addiction, and consumer-operated services.
Ms. Dye graduated from the University of Arizona with a Master’s in Public Health Administration. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is an active member of the Community Advisory Board for Health Informatics at ASU’s College of Health Solutions.
Healthy Aging & Longevity — Addressing Homelessness & Mental Health Challenges In Older Adults
Older adults are emerging as the fastest-growing segment of our population with projections for 2060 indicating that nearly one in four Americans will be 65+. This demographic change has spurred collaboration among service providers and community-based organizations who are diligently working to develop innovative approaches and programs tailored to the unique needs of this expanding population.
Unfortunately, homelessness for this vulnerable population is on the rise, and many older adults are facing increased challenges such as a lack of accessible and available housing, limited safety net resources, and individual risk factors such as chronic medical conditions, behavioral health issues, social factors, and financial insecurity.
In this session, hear from a panel of experts addressing these issues as they explore the community supports needed for healthy aging and longevity for older adults experiencing mental health issues and homelessness.
Key takeaways include:
- Understanding the older adult demographic shifts, longevity and healthy aging trends
- Review approaches to developing new partnerships and collaborations needed for service line development for this complex and high-need population
- Learn about the direction of new funding resources needed and anticipated to provide housing, mental health, and social supports
Steve Hornberger, MSW
Steve Hornberger is Co-Director of the Center for Excellence in Aging & Longevity which has received several grants and contracts for community engagement, workforce development and innovative partnerships. He also serves as Co-Director of the Social Policy Institute (SPI) administering a number of statewide contracts and local projects to expand child, family, and community well-being. In 2018, Steve received the SDSU Provost’s Innovation Award for the SPI Board Fellows Program. In 2022, Steve was selected to serve on the California Aging and Disability Research Partnership (CADRP) to develop baseline information on the health, economic stability and well-being of older Californians to identify service gaps, understand challenges, highlight priorities for service and provide a research model for the CA Department of Aging moving forward.
Joe Garbanzos
Joe Garbanzos is serving as AARP’s California State President. The state president is a volunteer who serves as spokesperson and representative for AARP across California. In this role, Joe serves as chair the all-volunteer Executive Council, a diverse group of professionals who provide advice and counsel to advance AARP’s social mission in California.
Prior to his appointment, Joe served on the Executive Council for six years, serving as volunteer leader for Asian American Pacific Islander outreach, chairing the Education Committee for the California Telehealth Coalition, co-leading AARP’s livable communities work in San Diego County, and chairing the new Hi-Speed Internet Advisory Committee.
Joe brings to his new role extensive experience in leadership, public health, change management, and public policy, having previously served as the CEO and Executive Director at Samahan Health Centers, a federally qualified health center in San Diego. He was also involved as a health care consultant in launching the Affordable Care Act in California, as well as the implementation of the Coordinated Care Initiative in San Diego County. He is an adjunct faculty member at the California School of Management & Leadership at Alliant International University San Diego, teaching courses on healthcare. His knowledge and expertise includes leading outreach and education in culturally diverse communities with hard-to-reach populations.
Jennifer Sinnott
Jennifer is responsible for the integration of social work, nursing, dental, and wellness services. She also provides clinical direction and supervision to program staff and supports the growth of programs and services through collaborative community partnerships in a community-based setting that emphasizes a “whole-person” care approach.
Richard Louis, III
Richard Louis, III, brings extensive experience in public and for-profit behavioral healthcare administration and business development to the OPEN MINDS team. Mr. Louis was formerly the Executive Director of Strategic Development and Planning, Pacific Region, for Providence Service Corporation.
Prior to OPEN MINDS, Mr. Louis served as the Assistant Director of the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, the 4th largest county behavioral health system in California, where he was responsible for day-to-day operations of a system serving over 50,000 unduplicated consumers annually through 31 county-operated facilities and 60 contract provider organizations.
Prior to his work with San Bernardino County, Mr. Louis was the Vice President of Government Operations for College Health Enterprises. In this role, he pioneered the development of public sector partnerships, contracts, and community mental health system joint ventures in California by creating some of the first inpatient psychiatric hospital-based, outpatient, day treatment, and institutional specialty treatment programs for county, state, and federal government agencies including L.A. County Department of Mental Health, L.A. County Probation Department, California Youth Authority, California Department of Developmental Disabilities, California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, and U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security.
Mr. Louis has served in a number of leadership roles with several organizations in the community including: the California Hospital Association – Center for Behavioral Health, Advisory Board, and SCAN Health Plan – Advisory Board; the Board of Directors of the Forensic Mental Health Association of California, College Hospitals, and the Intercommunity Child Guidance Center of Whittier; and testified on behalf of the National Association of Psychiatric Healthcare Systems before President Bush’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. Mr. Louis is currently a volunteer police officer with the City of Monterey Park Police Department in East Los Angeles serving since 1987 and currently holds the rank of Captain. Mr. Louis was recently appointed to the City of Claremont Police Commission in Los Angeles County.
He is a graduate of Whittier College and of the Police Academy of Rio Hondo College.
Growing Your Whole Person Care Practice
Take a deep dive into critical competencies for maximizing your investment in whole person care and developing a successful integration growth strategy for your organization. This session will examine core operating practices of effective integrated settings, including team-based care, care coordination, patient engagement and chronic condition management. Participants will gain practical insights into leveraging technology, staffing, and integrated operations to optimize performance and return on investment.
Attendees will:
- Assess clinical and operational dimensions of implementing integrated care, including staffing, technology, workflow, financing, and performance management considerations
- Identify common pain points in the implementation process and strategies to overcome them
- Explore evidence-based practices that support an effective whole person care growth strategy in behavioral health and healthcare settings
Deanne Cornette, MHA, GPC
Deanne Cornette, MHA, GPC, brings over 20 years of experience in the behavioral health field. Ms.Cornette currently serves as a Senior Associate for OPEN MINDS and brings to the OPEN MINDS team noted expertise in strategic planning, grant writing and revenue development.
Previously, Ms. Cornette was the Vice President of Strategic Development for Tampa Family Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center. In this role, she managed grants, contracts, front desk operations, training, quality assurance special assignments (risk assessments and responses to complaints), credentialing and billing functions. In a very short time period, she successfully procured funding to integrate behavioral health services, brought a system of processes to track health indicators and improve value-based care payment and service and became proficient in utilizing HRSA’s reporting portals.
As Counsel for Strategic Development at Agency for Community Treatment Services, Inc. (ACTS) and Vice President of Business Development for Gracepoint (merger), Ms. Cornette directed strategic development, contract negotiations, revenue development, marketing and grants. In this capacity, she targeted funding sources and built a lucrative cash flow that provided needed services to vulnerable populations in need of behavioral health treatment.
Some of her most successful negotiations created best practice services for veteran’s programs, women’s services, as well those involved with the criminal justice system. Her portfolio includes a wide array of awards from a multitude of agencies including, but not limited to: SAMHSA, HUD, Centers for Medicaid, and the Department of Transportation and collaborations with private, non-profit and government entities. Most recently, she worked with Gracepoint to develop Hillsborough’s Centralized Receiving Facility, one of the first funded in the State of Florida. From a system of care for jail diversion to evidence based practices for individuals who are homeless with behavioral health needs, her awards have netted over $80 million dollars to our community.
In addition, Ms. Cornette served as the Vice President for the National Contract Management Association Suncoast Chapter, Vice President of ACTS Affordable Housing Board of Directors, Vice President of ACTS Foundation Board of Directors, and was a member of Hillsborough County Health Care Advisory Board. She is the recipient of University of South Florida’s 2018 Florida Outstanding Women of the Year in Public Health. Her Centralized Receiving Facility collaborative won a 2018 WEDU PBS Be Brilliant / Innovation Award. Her concept of Housing, Engagement and Retention Tenancy (HEART) program won the 2018 Heart for Homeless award through the Housing and Education Alliance.
Ms. Cornette received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Masters Degree in Health Administration from the University of South Florida.
Stay Ahead: 2024 Payer Insights & Trends Uncovered
Explore the landscape of 2024’s health care trends with executives from leading health plans. This session is designed to help providers “think like a payer” and get ahead of the competition with an inside look at what’s new and on the horizon for health plans. Attendees will gain insights into developing strong payer/provider relationships, plus strategies for negotiating better rates and getting more referrals.
Paul Duck
Paul M. Duck brings over 25 years of experience in leadership and management focusing on managed care, health information technology organizations, strategy, business development, and market expansion, and customer experience optimization to the OPEN MINDS team.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Duck served as the Vice President, Strategy & Development at Beacon Health Options. In this role, Mr. Duck led the organization’s strategy and business development efforts – responsible for a 30% increase in net revenue and initiated over $1 billion in revenue generation. Mr. Duck was active in national behavioral health initiatives as an executive of Beacon Health Options, including participating as a speaker at national and state association meetings.
Before joining Beacon Health Options, Mr. Duck was the Vice President of Business Development at Netsmart Technologies. During his tenure, Mr. Duck was responsible for business planning, including, the oversight of strategic activities including acquisitions, development, and execution of strategic initiatives, and positioning, and sales of large strategic customers. He also led the rollout of the company’s benchmarking and data analytics product suite.
Prior to Netsmart, Mr. Duck served as the Chief Executive Officer for Coastal Orthopedics and Pain Management, a large group practice with five clinic locations and two ambulatory surgical centers. As the organization’s chief executive officer, Mr. Duck was responsible for significant positive changes in leadership and corporate culture, financial and operational performance, compliance, and governance. Mr. Duck improved net collections by over $1 million per month and grew the practice through negotiating better contract rates with payers. He also implemented an organizational rebranding initiative and launched a new marketing campaign.
Prior to Coastal Orthopedics and Pain Management, Mr. Duck served as the President and Chief Executive Officer for Florida Radiology Imaging, one of the largest outpatient diagnostic imaging service companies serving the greater Orlando market. During his tenure, Mr. Duck led the construction of three new, full modality, diagnostic imaging locations. Mr. Duck revolutionized the company’s culture by creating a highly attractive and functional work environment.
Mr. Duck earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Case Western Reserve University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Electronic Engineering Technology from the Electronic Technology Institute. Mr. Duck received an award by Inc Magazine for leading Florida Radiology Imaging as one of America’s fastest-growing companies. Mr. Duck recently served as a contributing author to the book The New Health Age: The Future of Health Care in America.
Maximizing Growth Through Strategic Prioritization & Resource Allocation
The current health and human services landscape is characterized by rapid changes and several pivotal trends that are significantly impacting the need for continuous strategic planning and prioritization. Most notably, the industry is witnessing a surge in competition from non-traditional players like retail health giants, compounded by pervasive workforce challenges and increasing demand for services. For providers, implementing practical strategies for continual strategic prioritization and resource allocation is paramount. Focusing on resource allocation and adjusting service lines accordingly can enhance organizational capacity for growth, allow executives to fully grasp their existing resources, and foster increased adaptability to care models and value-based reimbursement. In this session, join our industry leaders for a deep dive into ongoing strategic prioritization and resource allocation.
Key takeaways include:
- Understand the increased need for ongoing evaluation and reprioritization of strategic planning goals to stay competitive in today’s changing market
- Explore strategies for reallocating staff and financial resources to invest in more profitable service line opportunities
- Offer solutions for ensuring strategic planning keeps pace with changing performance-based and value-based reimbursement models
Chief Executive Officer Networking Lunch
If you’re the Chief Executive Officer or Executive Director of an OPEN MINDS member organization, join us for this private networking luncheon. This is an opportunity to share leadership experiences and solutions with your peers from across the nation. Our hosts for the luncheon are Monica E. Oss, Chief Executive Officer, and Kim Bond, Executive Vice President at OPEN MINDS. (To register, contact Erin Deppen, Event Coordinator, at 717-334-1329 or edeppen@openminds.com.)
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.
Kim Bond, MS, LMFT
Kimberly Bond, MS, LMFT, brings over thirty years of experience providing behavioral health treatment in the public and community settings to the OPEN MINDS team. She currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Business Development. In this role, Ms. Bond focuses on growing the OPEN MINDS client portfolio across all nine verticals of OPEN MINDS business.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Bond served concurrently as a Program Coordinator III and Clinical Manager of Adult Services and a Program Coordinator II and Clinical Manager of Recovery Services for the Ozark Guidance Center. In these roles, Ms. Bond was responsible for the administrative and clinical oversight of the adult outpatient and adult intensive mental health services on the Springdale Campus as well as the adult recovery/co-occurring services, including domestic violence and anger management treatment.
Prior to joining the Ozark Guidance Center, Ms. Bond served as the Executive Vice President of Center Point, Inc, a large substance abuse provider agency in California. In this role, Ms. Bond was responsible for the clinical and administrative supervision of all community-based programs as well as the women and children residential programs. In addition, Ms. Bond also managed budgets, interacted with funding agencies, and built positive relationships with all stakeholders. Ms. Bond was also in charge of proposal and grant writing, staff management, and training, facilities’ licensing and certifications renewals. Additionally, she prepared and submitted monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports to various funders.
Previously, Ms. Bond served as the President and CEO of Mental Health Systems, Inc. Ms. Bond was very instrumental in growing the agency from $12M in annual revenue to over $100M and becoming one of the largest providers of behavioral health services in California. In this role, Bond was responsible for the strategic, clinical, financial, and administrative health of the agency, including direct supervision of Senior Executive Staff. In addition, Bond ensured contract compliance of the agency’s 125 different contracts across federal and state agencies and eight counties.
Ms. Bond received her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with honors, and her master’s degree in counseling education from San Diego State University. She is licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in both California and Arkansas.
Chief Clinical Officer Networking Lunch
Join us for this private luncheon for executive leaders of OPEN MINDS member organization – created for Chief Clinical Officers. The objective of this networking session is to provide opportunities for executive leaders from across the country to share solutions to the challenges in serving consumers with complex needs. Our host for the luncheon is Sharon Hicks, Senior Associate at OPEN MINDS, and Stuart Buttlaire, Ph.D., MBA, Regional Director Of Behavioral Health and Addiction Medicine, Kaiser Permanente. (To register, contact Erin Deppen, Event Coordinator, at 717-334-1329 or edeppen@openminds.com.)
Sharon Hicks, MSW, MBA
Sharon Hicks has more than 30 years of experience in the health and human service field. She has extensive experience and wide range of expertise in health plan management, in clinical operations management, and technology.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Hicks spent two decades in a number of executive positions within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) system and within its health plan division. Ms. Hicks served as the Chief Operating Officer for Community Care Behavioral Health, a managed behavioral health organization. She was responsible for all aspects of the organization’s operations including fiscal, information systems, the claims processing department, and the design of clinical systems. In addition Ms. Hicks managed the day-to-day operations of including human resources, facilities, purchasing, and security.
Ms. Hicks also served as the Vice President, Internet Strategy, UPMC Insurance Services Division and, since 2002, as the Chief Executive Officer of Askesis Development Group, Inc. since May of 2002. In this role, Ms. Hicks was responsible for the growth of the company, profitability of the company, and the direction of software development.
Ms. Hick started her impressive health care career as a psychiatric social worker before being promoted to Assistant Director of Social Work. Prior to her executive promotions, Ms. Hicks served as a Clinical Administrator for both Ambulatory Services and Emergency and Intake Services at the UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. In this role, Ms. Hicks managed the behavioral health division, the budgets for all departments, and implemented new software replacing paper billing for clinical services.
Ms. Hicks received both her Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Social Work degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. Before pursuing her graduate education, Ms. Hicks received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
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.
Lunch On Your Own
Try the Enclave Lobby Bar and Kitchen in the hotel or one of the local restaurants!
Post Lunch Pick Me Up
Sponsored By: 
Need an after lunch break? Come pick up a snack in the exhibit hall!
Mastering Population Health In Whole Person Care
With the right investments, integrated care opens new doorways to organizational success and sustainability. This session focuses on population health models in integrated settings, including the technologies, operational workflows, and staff skills needed to support the shift from getting paid for services to getting paid for outcomes and value.
Attendees will:
- Understand the importance of population health in supporting whole person care and value-based reimbursement
- Learn methodologies and tools for tracking risk indicators, closing care gaps, and managing chronic health conditions
- Explore how to implement a population health program in any stage of integration or whole person care model
Christy Dye, MPH
Christy Dye is a data-focused healthcare executive who brings over 30 years of experience supporting provider organizations, state agencies, and communities in achieving their business, operational, and quality goals in health and human services to OPEN MINDS as a Senior Associate. Christy’s career has included working as a state Medicaid leader, a national expert in substance abuse treatment systems, health information exchange and interoperability, and as chief executive for Arizona’s leading integrated primary/behavioral healthcare provider.
Prior to OPEN MINDS, Ms. Dye served as Chief Business Development Officer for Health Current, (division of Contexture), Arizona’s statewide health information exchange (HIE). While there, Ms. Dye developed provider education and training programs in using clinical and administrative data to improve patient outcomes and manage value-based reimbursement contracts. She led the Health Current HIE research data initiative in partnership with Arizona State University and also served as co-principal investigator for a National Institute of Mental Health project at ASU focused on information sharing for behavioral health populations.
Ms. Dye is the former Chief Executive Officer for Partners in Recovery (now Copa Health), an Arizona agency serving more than 10,000 adults with serious mental illness. At Partners she created a network of fully integrated behavioral and primary care clinics for SMI adults, and launched the company’s population health, value-based and complex care programs, including Arizona’s only Medical Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team.
Prior to PIR, she served as Division Chief for Clinical and Recovery Services and Arizona’s state substance abuse director at the Arizona Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health. As a state official, she served on a team charged with the re-design of Medicaid behavioral health benefits in Arizona and oversaw the expansion of the state’s contracted managed care system to a more recovery focused model, including expansion of peer-delivered mental health, addiction, and consumer-operated services.
Ms. Dye graduated from the University of Arizona with a Master’s in Public Health Administration. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is an active member of the Community Advisory Board for Health Informatics at ASU’s College of Health Solutions.
Innovating New Products & Services To Meet Changing Payer Needs
For provider organizations, payers are one of the most important customers. The reach of health plans is increasing rapidly along with the adaptation of new reimbursement models that drive down costs and improve member care, satisfaction, and outcomes. As payers are developing new products to serve member needs it is up to provider organizations to bring new service line ideas, solutions, and service delivery models to the table.
In this session, our industry leaders will:
- Unpack changing payer needs and expectations of network provider organizations and services
- Delve into the key elements of fostering successful relationships with payers as a key customer
- Explore strategies for developing a payer marketing strategy and approach for new service line development and contract expansion
Utilizing Data & Analytics For Improved Addiction Treatment Outcomes
There are nearly 49 million people struggling with addiction in the United States. Although there is extensive research on evidence-based practices like Medication-Assisted Treatment, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Twelve-Step Facilitation, there is still a gap in understanding how these approaches contribute to treatment outcomes within comprehensive systems of care.
Many provider organizations are turning to internal and external data sets with reliably deep analytics to demonstrate the level of effectiveness of programs and services. Without good data, your outcomes reporting lacks credibility.
In this session, we will explore two distinct data repositories, shedding light on how addiction service providers leverage data to inform outcomes and enhance the quality of treatment.
Jennifer Duncan-Sanford, LCSW
Jennifer Duncan-Sanford, LCSW has over 25 years of experience in direct clinical care, clinical management, and account management in both the public and private sectors. Ms. Duncan-Sanford received her master’s degree from Florida State University and is licensed as a clinical social worker in both Illinois and California. As a National and Strategic Account Director, Ms. Duncan-Sanford is the trusted advisor and primary point of contact for national insurers and Employee Assistance Programs.
Alan Goodstat, LCSW
Alan has built a distinguished career spanning over three decades in the field of behavioral health, with a solid foundation in social work acquired from Columbia University. As a licensed clinical social worker, in Florida, South Carolina, Texas, and Arizona, he brings a wide geographical breadth to his professional expertise.
In his current role, Alan serves as the Vice President of M&A, Integration, and Compliance at T&R Recovery Group, a notable entity in the addiction and behavioral health sector. The group manages a range of substance abuse and mental health treatment facilities, including Sabino Recovery in Tucson, AZ, Cypress Lake Recovery in Woodville, TX, and Origins Behavioral Healthcare in South Padre Island and Dallas, TX. His leadership focuses on overseeing mergers and acquisitions, enhancing integration processes, outcome management and maintaining high standards of compliance across multiple locations.
Alan also contributes his skills and insights to the Lantana Recovery board in Charleston, SC, helping guide the strategic direction of this private substance abuse treatment program. He provides board support in payer contracting, outcome management, compliance, and growth opportunities.
Previously, Alan had an impactful 18-year tenure at Lakeview Health, where he held multiple senior positions, including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer. His efforts were instrumental in fostering growth, implementing effective outcome programs, and developing strategic partnerships with payers. His leadership was pivotal during the sale of Lakeview Health to private equity firms on two separate occasions, demonstrating his acumen in navigating complex transactions, due diligence, and organizational transformations.
Throughout his career, Alan has demonstrated a profound understanding of how best practices and strategic management can enhance organizational outcomes and foster sustainable growth, making him a respected leader in the behavioral healthcare management sphere.
Building Foundations: Structuring An FQHC Or FQHC Lookalike
This session will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the key components involved in structuring a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or an FQHC Lookalike. Through a combination of theoretical insights, a practical case study, and interactive discussions, attendees will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the unique challenges associated with structuring FQHC operations, comply with regulatory standards, and strategically plan for the sustained success of their healthcare organizations. Participants will leave with actionable insights and a foundational understanding of the critical elements required to establish and maintain an FQHC or FQHC Lookalike, contributing to the delivery of high-quality, accessible healthcare services in underserved communities.
Attendees will:
- Understand the Core Elements and Structure of FQHCs and FQHC Lookalikes
- Explore the fundamental characteristics and requirements of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and FQHC Lookalikes
- Gain insights into the regulatory framework and compliance standards essential for establishing and maintaining FQHC status
Deanne Cornette, MHA, GPC
Deanne Cornette, MHA, GPC, brings over 20 years of experience in the behavioral health field. Ms.Cornette currently serves as a Senior Associate for OPEN MINDS and brings to the OPEN MINDS team noted expertise in strategic planning, grant writing and revenue development.
Previously, Ms. Cornette was the Vice President of Strategic Development for Tampa Family Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center. In this role, she managed grants, contracts, front desk operations, training, quality assurance special assignments (risk assessments and responses to complaints), credentialing and billing functions. In a very short time period, she successfully procured funding to integrate behavioral health services, brought a system of processes to track health indicators and improve value-based care payment and service and became proficient in utilizing HRSA’s reporting portals.
As Counsel for Strategic Development at Agency for Community Treatment Services, Inc. (ACTS) and Vice President of Business Development for Gracepoint (merger), Ms. Cornette directed strategic development, contract negotiations, revenue development, marketing and grants. In this capacity, she targeted funding sources and built a lucrative cash flow that provided needed services to vulnerable populations in need of behavioral health treatment.
Some of her most successful negotiations created best practice services for veteran’s programs, women’s services, as well those involved with the criminal justice system. Her portfolio includes a wide array of awards from a multitude of agencies including, but not limited to: SAMHSA, HUD, Centers for Medicaid, and the Department of Transportation and collaborations with private, non-profit and government entities. Most recently, she worked with Gracepoint to develop Hillsborough’s Centralized Receiving Facility, one of the first funded in the State of Florida. From a system of care for jail diversion to evidence based practices for individuals who are homeless with behavioral health needs, her awards have netted over $80 million dollars to our community.
In addition, Ms. Cornette served as the Vice President for the National Contract Management Association Suncoast Chapter, Vice President of ACTS Affordable Housing Board of Directors, Vice President of ACTS Foundation Board of Directors, and was a member of Hillsborough County Health Care Advisory Board. She is the recipient of University of South Florida’s 2018 Florida Outstanding Women of the Year in Public Health. Her Centralized Receiving Facility collaborative won a 2018 WEDU PBS Be Brilliant / Innovation Award. Her concept of Housing, Engagement and Retention Tenancy (HEART) program won the 2018 Heart for Homeless award through the Housing and Education Alliance.
Ms. Cornette received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Masters Degree in Health Administration from the University of South Florida.
Raffle Prize Drawing
Held in the exhibit hall – join us to see if you’ve won any of the great prizes provided by our generous exhibitors!
Mastering Operational Excellence For Lasting Competitive Advantage
Executives play a critical role in translating strategic vision into operational reality. Join Monica E. Oss, Chief Executive Officer at OPEN MINDS for this closing highlight of the institute where she will break down the framework of operational excellence, offer a glimpse into current market trends, and share essential strategies every executive needs to create renewed competitive advantage within their 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.