WPC
Presentations
The Changing Issues Faced By CFOs Managing FQHC/Primary Care
Whole-person care is the future of specialty health care – and provides better services for less cost. However, there are many models for integrating primary care into behavioral health and I/DD support services. Each model has a different impact on an organization, from governance to staffing to revenue model. The questions to be considered by each CFO are, “What model fits best for our organization?”, and “How does that model ensure future market relevance and sustainability?” This session will feature speakers who implemented primary care in their organizations, including those who have successfully gained FQHC status.
- Learn what primary care integration models specialty providers have implemented
- Understand the financial benefits and challenges of integrating primary care into a specialty organization, including FQHC status
- Consider the role of merger and acquisition in primary care integration
Jose Garcia, MBA, CHCQM
Jose F. Garcia, MBA, CHCQM, brings over 30 years of experience in Health and Human services. A unique background as a former medical doctor (D. Med.), with an MBA, he has held a variety of supervisory and management positions at Citrus Health Network Inc., culminating in his current role of Chief Financial Officer.
In his role as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Garcia has played a pivotal role alongside the CEO and COO in guiding the organization through the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. His knowledge of programs and services leads to thorough analysis of the financial position of each line of service which brings about recommendations and strategies which are instrumental in successfully navigating the challenges and opportunities for the company.
Prior to being the Chief Financial Officer Mr. Garcia served as Contract and Grants Administrator for Citrus Health Network Inc. In this role Mr. Garcia was responsible for overseeing the entire process of grants management, budget preparation and financial reporting on a large scale. This experience has equipped him with a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in financial planning and compliance.
Due to Mr. Garcias work experience providing direct services, he has been invited to present at national conferences, including The Innovation Forum in Atlanta, where he presented on Citrus Health Network’s initiatives on “Working to End Homelessness and Hunger” as well as Flexible Resources Data Driving Solutions conference in Atlanta.
Mr. Garcia is a Certified Health Care Quality Manager by the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians (ABQAURP). This certification underscores his commitment to ensuring the highest standard of quality and efficiency in healthcare delivery. Mr. Garcia has also completed the Leadership Institute with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) gaining the necessary skills and knowledge to lead the organization in delivering high quality healthcare services and financial management.
Ken Carr
Ken Carr brings more than 20 years of finance, technology, data analysis, and reporting experience in the health and human services field to OPEN MINDS. He currently is a Senior Associate with the OPEN MINDS consulting practice. In this role, he has served as a subject matter expert leading numerous engagements in strategic planning, merger and acquisition prospecting, business process improvement, financial analysis of service lines, and technology selection.
Before joining the OPEN MINDS team, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of The Centers, a community mental health center in Ocala, Florida. In this position, Mr. Carr led a realignment of the organization’s financial management functions. This included revenue cycle management, EHR bill implementation and reporting, cash management enhancement, and strategic financial analysis.
Prior to his role at The Centers, Mr. Carr served as Chief Financial Officer of Guild Incorporated, an organization providing residential and community based mental health services in St. Paul, Minnesota. As CFO, Mr. Carr led the financial, billing, IT, quality, informatics, compliance, and facilities activities. During his tenure at Guild Incorporated, Mr. Carr used his expertise in change management and business process improvement to lead the EHR implementation team, align service data reporting and financial performance, and lead the financial and data capture activities for new service initiatives.
Mr. Carr has also held the positions of Administrative Director and Finance Director at the St. Paul National Testing Laboratory, a biomedical testing facility of the American Red Cross. In those positions he oversaw activities to enhance inventory management, align financial results to industry standards, and improve financial and facilities performance through problem analysis and quality management initiatives. He also was involved in directing human resource functions during laboratory closing near the end of his tenure.
Mr. Carr earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota and a Master of Divinity Degree from Sioux Falls Seminary. He maintains an active CPA license with the State of South Dakota.
Primary Care Evolution: Exploring The FQHC Model For Expansion
Examine the evolving landscape of health care delivery models – from the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) to virtual primary care and collocated services, attendees will leave with a comprehensive view of innovative approaches to providing accessible and quality health care services.
Join our industry experts as they uncover eligibility criteria, services offered, funding sources, and the step-by-step process of becoming an FQHC. Explore strategies for seamless integration of telehealth services, data security, and privacy considerations. Plus, gain insights into how collocated models can improve patient experience, streamline care coordination, and address holistic health needs.
This session will offer real-world case studies that share how integration can amplify patient outcomes, community wellbeing, and organizational potential for growth and sustainability.
- Comprehend the key features and requirements of the FQHC model, including the eligibility criteria, services offered, funding sources, and the process of becoming an FQHC.
- Explore the various components and challenges involved in establishing a virtual primary care model within an organization- the technology and infrastructure requirements, the integration of telehealth services, data security and privacy considerations, as well as the potential benefits and limitations of virtual primary care.
- Analyze the benefits and challenges of collocated models, where primary care services are integrated with other health care or social service providers within the same facility or organization.
Pamela Tripp, MSOM, MEd
Pamela Tripp is the Chief Executive Officer and known as the Chief Encouragement Officer of CommWell Health, a large community healthcare system located throughout southeastern NC. Ms. Tripp has served over 27 years in the industry as a Senior Leader and is the Founder of Corporate Transcendence, a Workforce Culture Transformation blueprint that values diversity and inclusion and delivers excellence in culture, quality, finance, and governance. Ms. Tripp is the author of “The Culture Cure: Transforming the Modern Healthcare System” and the accompanying Master Mind Resource Guide.
Under her leadership, state and national recognitions have been received at CommWell Health. Among those are Best Place to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare, Outstanding Rural Health Organization by the National Rural Health Association, and the recognition as the first Federally Qualified Community Health System in the nation to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Milestone II award. Ms. Tripp believes that “Our excellence tomorrow should always be greater than our excellence today.”
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.
Bridging The Behavioral/Physical Health Gap: Leveraging Whole Person Care Models For Improved Care
Integrating behavioral and physical health services has proven to be a more effective approach toward caring for people with complex care needs. As a result, the industry has seen a rise in organizations shifting to Whole Person Care models.
A survey done by OPEN MINDS found that 73% of primary care provider organizations reported integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders, and 51% of specialty provider organizations have an integration strategy.
For executives who are wondering where to start with implementation or those who are looking for insights to improve current models, this dynamic session will explore the impact of integrated care on organizational success and offer strategies for implementing, maintaining, and measuring outcomes of Whole Person Care Models.
Join this session to:
- Identify practical strategies and best practices for bridging the gap between behavioral and physical health services.
- Understand how to overcome potential barriers and promote collaboration between different health care disciplines.
- Discuss the use of metrics and data analysis to demonstrate the value of the Whole Person Care Model to health care providers, payers, and policymakers.
Shar Najafi-Piper, Ph.D.
A clinical psychologist, Dr. Najafi-Piper has expertise in fully integrated continuums of care for complex-needs individuals and believes in a whole-person health care model that supports successful outcomes.
In leadership roles since 2008, she has also demonstrated notable talent and skill on the business side of the health and human services industry. This ranges from the implementation of quality assurance functions, peer review, utilization review, as well as service and clinical protocols. In addition, Dr. Najafi-Piper has demonstrated success in the areas of program development, contract development/negotiations, public relations, media development, and business growth through revenue diversification including both traditional and non-traditional sources.
Most recently, Dr. Najafi-Piper led in the creation of the first behavioral health Accountable Care Organization (ACO) in Maricopa County. Consisting of six multi-disciplinary providers, the ACO works collaboratively to reduce gaps in care and provide better outcomes while reducing the overall cost of providing services.
Gagandeep Singh, M.D., D.F.A.P.A.
Dr. Singh has served as the Chief Medical Officer for Mercy Care since September 2021. Prior to being at Mercy Care, he led behavioral health service lines for large integrated health systems. Dr. Singh is board-certified in Psychiatry, Consultation-Liaison (C/L) psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine.
Dr. Singh is responsible for driving improvements for Mercy Care through strategic medical management, quality management, value-based programming, and policy implementation. He provides leadership and direction to medical directors and clinical activities with the goal of advancing organizational integrated care efforts and quality of care improvements for members in all six of Mercy Care’s contracted lines of business. Dr. Singh builds new and strengthens existing relationships with providers and is the voice for Mercy Care in the Arizona medical community.
Dr. Singh holds an M.B.B.S (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery) from the University of Delhi in India. He is also an Associate Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. He is the president of the Arizona Psychiatry Society and is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He has published writings in scholarly medical journals and given various medical presentations.
Blythe FitzHarris, Ph.D., LSCW
Blythe FitzHarris, PhD, LCSW, is the Chief Clinical Office at Mercy Care. In her role, Blythe is responsible for clinical program development, including the Adult and Children’s Systems of Care and the Central Region Behavioral Health Crisis System. Additionally, Blythe oversees multiple Mercy Care service delivery systems including integrated care, the Office of Individual and Family Affairs (OIFA), grant services, cultural diversity and tribal affairs. She directs initiatives, strategies and programs to address social determinants of health (such as housing and employment) and system performance. Blythe works closely in her roles with stakeholders and system advocates.
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.
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.
Best Practices For Enhancing Home & Community-Based Service Delivery For Seamless Operations
In 2020 many provider organizations were forced to implement options for home and community-based service delivery overnight. As we approach the four-year anniversary of the start of the pandemic, it is clear that consumer demand for these services is here to stay but are the models implemented mid-pandemic still the most effective? What other tools and opportunities are now available to enhance consumer experience and operational efficiency?
This session is designed to help executives reevaluate and improve current models for home and community-based service delivery. Attendees will –
- Review and understand the current processes available
- Identify bottlenecks and techniques to implement strategies to streamline operations
- Learn how to use technology effectively, such as route optimization software or automated order processing systems, to reduce delivery times and increase the number of successful deliveries within a specific timeframe
Gwen Koenig
Gwen Koenig brings 30 years of social work clinical and administrative experience as the Chief Of Strategic Growth for the Omni Family of Services, a national leader of child and family services in behavioral health, child welfare, and juvenile justice. Throughout her career, Gwen has led foster care, family preservation, and community mental health organizations. In 2016, Gwen transitioned from operations to business development and innovation in the human services space. She has represented companies throughout fifteen states and has been responsible for business procurement, strategic planning, grants management, staff development, and technology innovation in this role. Since 2016, Gwen has been an adjunct faculty at the Colorado State University School of Social Work, teaching courses in macro social work and nonprofit management. From 2021 to 2023, Gwen co-founded SigBee, a technology platform to improve workforce retention in human services.
Gwen holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Cincinnati. Gwen has presented at numerous national and international conferences, including a key presentation at the National Association of Child Care Workers in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She has served on various boards and committees with the Family Focused Treatment Association and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, among other trade organizations. Gwen resides in Fort Collins, CO where she enjoys the beautiful outdoors with her three sons, volunteers in her community, and keeps active with her rescue animals.
Jodina Hicks, J.D.
Jodina Hicks is the President of Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania (VOAPA). VOAPA is a $12million organization, focused on health equity and housing across Pennsylvania. VOAPA’s mission is to equip and empower individuals and communities experiencing greatest inequity.
Prior, Jodina led UrbanPromise Ministries in Camden, NJ, an organization she helped to start earlier in her career. Jodina led national demonstration projects focused on prison reform and prevention while at Public/Private Ventures, where she helped launch Amachi and the Ready4Work (President’s Reentry Initiative). Both initiatives were highlighted in State of the Union addresses and led to new federal funding streams.
She was a senior executive of the Safer Foundation (IL), a prisoner reentry/employment organization. Her work at Safer reached 10,000 people each year, and her policy work at Safer included the writing and passage of state and local legislation aimed at reducing barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals, federal testimony and state reentry policies and procedures.
Jodina earned her Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School. Jodina was given the New Jersey Hero Award from the Governor (2014), the MLK legacy award from Rutgers Law School (2018), was named a top 100 Pennsylvania Non-Profit Leaders (2022), and awarded the Mary Philbrook Award (2023).
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.