Welcome/overview

Plenary Session: Advancing Value-Based Care: Navigating National Trends and the Transition to Digital Quality Measurement

Moderator: Joe Bianco, MD, Director, Primary Care, Essentia Health
Presenter: Brad Ryan, MD, Chief Growth Officer, NCQA

As the national health care landscape continues to evolve, the transition to digital quality measurement and implementation of value-based care models are at the forefront of transformative change. This session will explore the latest trends and developments shaping the future of health care, highlighting the critical role of multi-stakeholder partnerships in driving these advancements. Attendees will gain insights into how digital tools and data driven approaches are enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of quality measurements, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and cost efficiencies. Join us to discover strategies for navigating this dynamic environment and fostering collaboration across divers health care sectors to achieve the shared goal of delivering high-value, patient-centered care.

Breakout Sessions

Evolution of Value-Based Care: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities

Moderator: Galen Benshoof, MPA, Enterprise Director, Employee Insurance, Minnesota Management and Budget
Panelists:
Clint MacKinney, MD, MS, Chief Medical Officer, Cibolo Health
Sean Wherry, MD, Physician, Section Medical Director Population Health Section, CentraCare
Hannah Wieshalla, MBA, Executive Director, Population Health and Central MN ACO

For more than a decade, the health care system has been shifting from traditional fee-for-service reimbursement models toward alternative payment models and value- based care, with a goal of reducing health care costs while improving patient satisfaction and care quality. During this session we will explore the evolution of value-based care, including current trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping its trajectory. Hear firsthand accounts on how far we have progressed in this transition and what steps are essential to fully realize the potential of value-based care. From navigating regulatory landscapes to leveraging data-driven approaches, discover the strategies and collaborations necessary to advance health care delivery that prioritizes quality, affordability, and patient outcomes.New Paragraph

Advancing Population Health Improvement through Data Sharing: Insights from Minnesota's CHIRP Program

Moderator: Maegi Yang, MPH, Governance Manager, MN Community Measurement
Panelists:
Chelsey Doepner, MBA, HEDIS Senior Manager, UCare
Jennifer Lamprecht, MS, RN, CNL, CPHQ, Director Quality Strategy,
Sanford Health
Alyssa Palmer, Director of Primary Care Integration, Southside Community Health Services

In today's evolving health care landscape, the imperative to improve population health outcomes has never been more urgent. Access to timely, complete, and actionable data are critical for achieving this goal, and collaboration is essential to bring all the pieces together. MN Community Measurement established the Community Health Information Reporting Partnership (CHIRP) to facilitate this crucial data sharing among health care providers and payers. During this session, we will explore the evolution of CHIRP, and offer perspectives on current needs and challenges from various stakeholders. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how CHIRP supports collaborative efforts to enhance population health in Minnesota, and how health care providers and payers can participate in CHIRP programs.

Care Coordination Design and Impact: What Did We Learn From the MNCARES Study?

Moderator: Clarence Jones, MA, CPH, CHW, CPE, Executive Director and Community Health Strategist, Hue-MAN Partnership



Panelists:
Steven Dehmer, PhD, Senior Research Investigator & Health Economist, HealthPartners Institute
Lindsy Johnson, LSW, Ambulatory Care Management Supervisor - Social Worker, M Health Fairview
Jenny Kolb, RN, BSN, Director of Ambulatory Care Management, M Health Fairview
David Kurtzon, Health Care Homes Director, Minnesota Department of Health

Care coordination services are provided by most primary care clinics in Minnesota as a requirement for certification as medical homes by the Minnesota Department of Health. Clinics can flexibly design their care coordination program, leading to two general approaches: one medically focused and usually led by nurses (Medical/Nursing) and one socially focused including a social worker on the team (Medical/Social). This study involved a collaboration among researchers, a state health department, a quality reporting organization, five large health plans, 42 care systems, and patients to compare these two approaches to care coordination. During this session, we will discuss the findings of the study and share insights from leaders of the Minnesota health care home clinics and the Minnesota Department of Health. These insights will illustrate how the study's results are influencing the development of policy and the evolution of practice in Minnesota's health care system.

Plenary Session: Unlocking What Works to Advance Improvement: The Power of Collaborative Research Partnerships

Moderator: Joe Bianco, MD, Director, Primary Care, Essentia Health
Panelists:
Caroline Carlin, PhD, Research Investigator & Adjunct Faculty, University of Minnesota, Department of Family Medicine & Community Health
Steven Dehmer, PhD, Senior Research Investigator & Health Economist, HealthPartners Institute
Tyler Winkelman, MD, MSc, Co-Director, Health, Homelessness, and Criminal Justice Lab, Hennepin Healthcare



Join us for an insightful session featuring a panel of experts from leading Minnesota research organizations, as they discuss the critical role of collaborative research partnerships in driving advancements in health care quality, equity, affordability, and value. This session will delve into how pooling expertise and resources across various institutions fosters innovative solutions and comprehensive understanding of effective strategies. Attendees will learn about successful case studies and best practices in research collaboration, and how these partnerships are pivotal in identifying and implementing improvements that truly make a difference in patient outcomes and system efficiencies. Engage with thought leaders to explore the transformative potential of collective efforts in shaping a more equitable and high performing health care community.

Breakout Sessions

Healthcare Data Under Siege: Understanding and Mitigating Cyber Threats for Non-Tech Leaders

Presenters:
Will Muenchow, CISSP, CEH, Vice President, Technology & Security, MN Community Measurement
Jeremy Griggs, Cloud Infrastructure and Communications Administrator, MN Community Measurement



Healthcare organizations are prime targets for cyberattacks, with bad actors relentlessly pursuing sensitive patient data. This breakout session is designed for non-technical leaders who want to understand the critical aspects of healthcare data security. We’ll cover why healthcare is a top target, the essential security baselines every organization should deploy, and the principles of Zero Trust security. Attendees will also learn about vulnerability management and witness a live demonstration of a ransomware attack, including practical steps for mitigation. Empower your organization by gaining the knowledge needed to safeguard your most valuable assets.

Data Informed Strategies to Advance Health Equity in Minnesota

Moderator: Kate Hust, MD, MPH, Medical Director-Ambulatory Quality & Population Health, Hennepin Healthcare



Presenter:
Stamatis Zeris, MD, Hennepin Healthcare
Jill Doberstein, MA, Community Outreach Manager, Essentia Health
Robin Councilman, MD, NorthPoint Health and Wellness

Minnesota consistently ranks among the nation's healthiest states, yet significant disparities persist. Actionable data plays a crucial role in uncovering the root causes of these disparities and guiding effective strategies towards achieving health equity. In this session, a panel of experts including providers, payers, and public health representatives will share their insights on harnessing data to develop impactful strategies and metrics. Join us to explore how these leaders are leveraging data-driven approaches to enhance health outcomes for all patients, contributing to a more equitable health care landscape in Minnesota and beyond.

Innovative Connections: Revolutionizing Diabetes and Kidney Care through Collaboration

Moderator: Gregg Simonson, PhD, Director, Park Nicollet Health Services
Presenter:
Katelyn Laue, MPH, RD, LD, Senior Director, Program Development, National Kidney Foundation



This session showcases a collaborative initiative, inspired by the pioneering work of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and its dedicated workgroups. It will also spotlight MN Community Measurement's efforts to support providers working to improve chronic kidney disease (CKD) screening and treatment and blood glucose management for individuals with diabetes in Minnesota. By leveraging insights from the NKF workgroups and harnessing the power of data-driven solutions, including the CKD dashboard offered by MNCM, this initiative brings together health care stakeholders to improve care delivery. These collaborative efforts aim to optimize patient care pathways, improve treatment adherence, and ultimately mitigate the progression of complications associated with diabetes and CKD.

Plenary Session: Making Progress Together: Addressing Social Risk Factors Through Cross-Sector Collaboration

Moderator: Mark Steffen, MD, MPH, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Panelists:
Nathan Chomilo, MD, FAAP, FACP, Medicaid Medical Director, Minnesota Department of Human Services
Jennifer Lundblad, PhD, MBA, President & CEO, Stratis Health
Vanessa Southworth, Community Wellbeing Director, Winona Health
Kelly Fluharty, MPH, Care Transformation Manager, Winona Health



Social risk factors such as food insecurity, housing instability, and financial strains have a major impact on people's health outcomes and quality of life. Addressing social risk factors is fundamental for closing longstanding health disparities. Join us for an educational session that explores how stakeholders are actively implementing strategies and collaborating across sectors to make it happen. Local experts will highlight innovative approaches and successful case studies where health care providers, community organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders have joined forces to tackle social determinants of health. Attendees will gain insights into effective strategies for identifying, prioritizing, and mitigating social risk factors. Learn more about how these collaborative efforts are making measurable impacts on health outcomes, promoting equity, and enhancing the overall well-being of communities. Join the conversation to discover how you can contribute to and benefit from these transformative partnerships.

Galen Benshoof, MPA, Enterprise Director, Employee Insurance, Minnesota Management and Budget

Galen Benshoof has served in leadership roles within Minnesota state government for the past eight years, including overseeing the regulation of commercial health insurance, spearheading health policy development, and currently serving as director of Minnesota's state employee health plan, the largest employer purchaser of health care in the state.

Joseph Bianco, MD, Director, Primary Care Essentia Health

Dr. Joseph Bianco is a board-certified family practice physician with Essentia Health, an integrated health system that serves northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Western North Dakota. He also serves as the Ambulatory Quality Leader for Essentia Health working to improve the quality of care delivered as well as addressing health disparities. He is the Chairman of the Essentia Opioid steering committee. He also helped to author the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI) guidelines for pain management published last year. He serves on the ICSI Opioid Oversight committee as well as the Addiction committee. He has a long-standing interest in the education of medical students and the role of the primary care physician as mentor to future family physicians and to the Duluth Family Practice Residency Program. Dr. Bianco attended the University of MN, School of Medicine and completed a family practice residency in Duluth, MN. He maintains a busy family practice in the small rural town of Ely, Minnesota.

Nathan Chomilo, MD, FAAP, FACP, Medicaid Medical Director, Minnesota Department of Human Services

Dr. Nathan T. Chomilo’s work has centered on the impact early childhood intervention and healthcare access have on the long-term prospects of our children and how physicians and health systems can address racial & health equity. He is the Medical Director for the State of Minnesota’s Medicaid & MinnesotaCare programs, practices as a General Pediatrician with Park Nicollet Health Services/HealthPartners and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He was previously tapped by Governor Tim Walz to serve as the State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 vaccine equity director and as a Senior Advisor on Equity to the Minnesota Commissioner of Health. He is an executive committee member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Minority Health Equity and Inclusion and a member of National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) Equity in HEDIS Expert Work Group. He has been recognized by the City of Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights as a 2019 History Maker at Home recipient, the Minnesota Medical Association, which awarded him the President’s Award in 2021 and the Aspen Institute which selected him to be an Aspen Ascend Fellow in 2022. In 2023 he was selected for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Committee on Improving the Health and Wellbeing of Children and Youth through Health Care System Transformation and named to The Lancet’s Commission on Antiracism in Solidarity. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife & sons.

Liz Cinqueonce, President and CEO, MN Community Measurement

Liz Cinqueonce has over 25 years of experience in non-profit executive leadership, health policy, government affairs, and public administration. Prior to her role at MN Community Measurement, she served in various leadership positions where she focused on improving healthcare access and quality, including significant contributions to state health policy initiatives and collaborative projects aimed at enhancing community health outcomes. As the President and CEO of MN Community Measurement, Liz is dedicated to improving health care quality and transparency through innovative measurement and reporting initiatives. She holds an MBA from St. Catherine University and a BA in Political Science from the University of St. Thomas. Liz is passionate about fostering collaborations among stakeholders to achieve high-value, patient-centered health care.

Robin Councilman, MD, NorthPoint Health and Wellness

Dr Councilman is a family physician who has been providing primary care to primarily immigrant and refugee patients for the past 28 years. She is also the physician leader for the perinatal program at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center in North Minneapolis where she strives to use data to ensure that the highest quality of care to their perinatal patients.

Jill Doberstein, MA, Community Outreach Manager, Essentia Health

Jill Doberstein has been working in the public health field since 2003 and with Essentia Health since 2015. Jill began working in tobacco prevention for a national nonprofit on public policy at the state level, and with grassroots initiatives in northeastern Minnesota for over 15 years. Ms. Doberstein transitioned to healthcare by integrating a tobacco dependance treatment program at Essentia Health, spanning their 17 hospitals and 67 clinics across 3 Midwest states, as a Program Manager within the Population Health department. Currently, Ms. Doberstein leads Community Health and Health Equity initiatives at Essentia Health. Jill manages outreach and engagement efforts to build social care networks and infrastructure, and with diverse populations to reduce barriers and improve access to care. Ms. Doberstein has her B.A.S. in Community Health Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a Masters Degree in Advocacy and Political Leadership, also from the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Steven Dehmer, PhD, Senior Research Investigator & Health Economist, HealthPartners Institute

Steven Dehmer, PhD is a senior research investigator and health economist at the HealthPartners Institute based in Minneapolis. He co-leads the Minnesota Care Coordination Effectiveness Study (MNCARES) and is the HealthPartners site lead for the MN Learning Health System (MN-LHS) Embedded Scientist Training & Research Program. His research is focused on the economics of disease prevention, with an emphasis on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Using microsimulation modeling, he led the decision analyses conducted to support the U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce recommendations for aspirin published in 2016 and 2022. Dr. Dehmer’s current and past research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. His research has been published in leading journals such as JAMA, Nature, Annals of Internal Medicine, and the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Chelsey Doepner, MBA, HEDIS Senior Manager, UCare

As the HEDIS Senior Manager of UCare, Chelsey provides strategy, leadership, and oversight for annual NCQA HEDIS reporting and serves as a HEDIS subject matter expert to all UCare business areas. Chelsey especially oversees all operations for hybrid (medical record) data collection, which is managed in-house at UCare and in driving forward the transition to Electronic Clinical Data Systems (ECDS) reporting through provider EMR exchanges, partnerships with any state HIEs, and strategic year-round medical record review efforts. Chelsey has over 13 years’ experience with health plan and provider quality measurement and improvement operations and strategy, 11 of those years with direct HEDIS leadership responsibility. Chelsey received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota Duluth in Health Care Management and Economics and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus in Health Care from the University of St. Thomas/Opus School of Business and Entrepreneurship. Chelsey has extensive experience with data management, performance reporting, strategic quality improvement, business applications, outcome management, health information systems, electronic medical records (EMRs), ROI and pay for performance analysis and decision-making, provider/payer/regulator collaboration and vendor management.

Kelly Fluharty, MPH, Care Transformation Manager, Winona Health

Kelly Fluharty is the Care Transformation Manager for Winona Health Services in Winona, Minnesota. In this capacity, she supports the implementation of WH’s population health strategy across value-based contracts, coordinates Winona Health’s Patient and Family Advisory Committees, and steers Winona Health’s internal equity and inclusion initiatives supporting the organization’s efforts to provide equitable care for all. Prior to moving to Winona, she worked in county Public Health agencies in the metro St. Louis, Missouri area, first as a public health liaison between the local health agency and area health systems, and then as an Epidemiology Specialist. Kelly received her BA in Anthropology from Beloit College and her MPH from Boston University School of Public Health.

Jeremy Griggs, Cloud Infrastructure and Communications Administrator, Minnesota Community Measurement

Jeremy Griggs is the Cloud Infrastructure and Communications Administrator at Minnesota Community Measurement. His work revolves around managing the infrastructure and security that is the backbone of MNCM's backend technology. Jeremy graduated from Purdue University Fort Wayne with a degree in Information Systems, focusing on the implementation and administration of businesses' foundational technology stacks.

Kate Hust, MD, MPH, Medical Director-Ambulatory Quality & Population Health, Hennepin Healthcar

Dr. Hust is a general internist, primary care physician, and leader at Hennepin Healthcare (HCMC) in Minneapolis, MN. She is also an Associate Professor of Medicine with the University of Minnesota Medical School. She serves as the Medical Director for Ambulatory Quality and as the Senior Medical Director for Population Health at Hennepin Healthcare. Dr. Hust previously served as medical director for the CSC Internal Medicine Clinic (the adult primary care clinic on Hennepin Healthcare’s main campus) and the Hennepin Health Access Clinic, a team-based transitional primary care clinic targeting patients previously unsuccessful in traditional primary care models. She continues her clinical practice in both of those clinics. Dr. Hust completed her undergraduate studies in Spanish and biology at the University of Minnesota in Duluth and then studied both medicine and public health at Tulane University in New Orleans. She completed training in primary care internal medicine at Tulane as well and spent her final year in New Orleans as a chief resident for the program.

Lindsy Johnson, LSW, Ambulatory Care Management Supervisor - Social Worker, M Health Fairview

Lindsy Johnson is a licensed social worker by background with 19 years’ experience working in health care. Thirteen years of her social work experience was spent within the long-term care, sub-acute rehab setting in both social worker and Director of Social Services capacities. In her current role as Ambulatory Care Management Supervisor for M Health Fairview, Lindsy supervises a team of social workers spanning several specialties across the system including Adult Specialty, Adult Oncology, Behavioral Health, Pediatric Specialty, and FPA Independent-Affiliate Primary Care. Through the work Lindsy’s social work team does, patients and their families are connected to crucial supports and services they need to promote optimal health care and outcomes.

Clarence Jones, MA, CPH, CHW, CPE, Executive Director and Community Health Strategist, Hue-MAN Partnership

Robert "Clarence "Jones, M. Ed., CHW, CPH, is the Executive Director and Community Health Strategist for the Hue-MAN Partnership and a co-host of the Health Chatter podcast. He is an Adjunct Instructor of Medicine for the Mayo Clinic and has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Saint Catherine University in the School of Public Health. Clarence formally served as a CTSI Executive Leadership team member, Public Health Disparities Research (PHDR), and CEARCH at the University of Minnesota. He has also served as the Mayor's Representative and co-chair for the Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) for the City of Minneapolis. Clarence is a founding member of Hue-MAN Partnership, a community collaboration of organizations that promotes Strengthening Community Health through Innovative Partnerships. Clarence hosts the "Community Health Dialogue" radio show on KMOJ RADIO, 89.9 FM.

Jenny Kolb, RN, BSN, Director of Ambulatory Care Management, M Health Fairview

Jenny Kolb is a registered nurse by background with a 23-year history in population health and care management. Her leadership experience includes roles in both hospital and ambulatory settings which allows her to understand the patient’s total health journey more fully. In her current role as Director of Ambulatory Care Management at MHFV, she has focused on driving positive outcomes in the readmissions and transitions of care realm. Her key area of focus has been standardizing a system approach to care management to ease the burden of care not only for our care teams but also for the patients and families we serve. This standardized approach has allowed her to tell the story of care management more effectively and highlight how it can positively impact care.

Jennifer Lamprecht, MS, RN, CNL, CPHQ, Director Quality Strategy, Sanford Health

Jennifer Lamprecht is the Director of Quality Strategy for Sanford Health. She developed an innovative system level team to provide a centralized resource for quality measurement, regulatory reporting, and improvement methods. Jennifer has a Master’s degree as a Clinical Nurse Leader and 19 years of experience in healthcare quality. She advises executive leadership through analysis of performance across value-based programs and prioritizes areas for improvement. Jennifer has served on state and national advisory groups regarding healthcare quality measurement for the CMS Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative, CMS Hospital Star Ratings, and is on the Board of Directors for Minnesota Community Measurement. Outside of work, she is a thrill seeker who likes roller coasters, rock concerts, and is a retired drag racing champion at her local track.

Katelyn Laue, MPH, RD, LD, Senior Director, Program Development, National Kidney Foundation

Katelyn Laue is a Registered Dietitian and MPH, currently serving as the Senior Director of Program Development at the National Kidney Foundation. In this role she leads a team of population health specialists to develop and implement innovative programs to improve prevention, guideline concordant testing, and management of kidney disease with a focus on programs that advance health equity. Katelyn has led the expansion of NKF’s collective impact efforts to drive systems change in health care and public health through the Ending Disparities in CKD Leadership Summits, growth of NKF’s CKD data strategy and CKD learning collaborative, and other innovative pilot programs to increase guideline concordant screening. Katelyn obtained her Masters in Public Health from the University of Minnesota and completed her Registered Dietitian training through the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine and the College of St. Benedict.

Jennifer Lundblad, PhD, MBA, President & CEO, Stratis Health

Clint MacKinney, MD, MS, Chief Medical Officer, Cibolo Health

Dr. MacKinney has worked in health care for 40 years – the first 14 years as a rural family physician, practicing the full scope of family medicine. He has both owned a private practice and worked with a large healthcare system. Dr. MacKinney completed his clinical career as an emergency department physician in rural Minnesota. Dr. MacKinney worked for eight years as a national hospital performance improvement consultant. Dr. MacKinney is currently a Clinical Associate Professor in the College of Public Health, University of Iowa. Dr. MacKinney is also the Chief Medical Officer for Cibolo Health, currently supporting two state-wide rural clinically integrated networks. Dr. MacKinney's professional and academic interests include rural health system transformation, healthcare value, clinician and administration relationships, healthcare financing and payment, and rural health policy.

Will Muenchow, CISSP, CEH, Vice President, Technology & Security, MN Community Measurement

William Muenchow is the Vice President of Technology, Security, and Software Development at MN Community Measurement (MNCM), a non-profit organization focused on improving healthcare outcomes through public reporting of healthcare data. With over 26 years of experience in Information Technology and Healthcare Interoperability, William leads MNCM’s technology strategy, overseeing software development, system security, and information management. He has played a strong role in the development of PIPE (Process Intelligence Performance Engine), a collaborative initiative that has significantly enhanced the quality and standardization of clinical data reporting in Minnesota. William also contributes to innovations in healthcare data security and ensures MNCM’s compliance with SOC2, ISO27001, and HIPAA standards.



Throughout his career, William has worked with state agencies, private enterprises, and healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes through better data exchange. He has held executive leadership roles in Integrated Health Partnerships (IHPs) and served as President of Lincoln College of Technology (Nevada and West Palm Beach campuses) and Vista College in Utah. Before these roles, William launched a successful .com auction company, which was later acquired. With a strong focus on data protection and system integrity, he continues to drive advancements in healthcare technology and security.

Alyssa Palmer, Director of Primary Care Integration, Southside Community Health Services

With more than 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership, Alyssa joined Southside as their first Director of Quality in 2017. She has led Southside through great change and has driven the organization to the top 10% of federally-qualified health centers in clinical quality for six consecutive years through a continuous improvement philosophy. She believes using a foundation of compassion, connection and purpose for patients and staff alike is the true driver of delivering exceptional care. As an educator at heart and trained improvement coach, she is able to engage staff to develop and standardize policies and procedures from the ground up with realistic low-cost methods. She has fulfilled her term on NACHC's Quality Improvement and HCH Advisory Boards and currently sits on the Minneapolis Health Department Community Leadership Team.

Brad Ryan, MD, Chief Growth Officer, NCQA

Dr. Brad Ryan is NCQA’s Chief Growth Officer. His addition to NCQA leadership signals the organization’s commitment to build on its existing quality measurement expertise with the promise of new technology, digital measurement and telehealth. He leads NCQA’s pioneering work in digital quality transformation and manages growth and evolution of its existing health care measurement, evaluation and improvement programs. Dr. Ryan’s prior work includes numerous assists with NCQA’s digital quality initiatives, most recently as co-founder and Chief Solutions & Product Officer at Apervita, a collaborative platform for value-based health care. He also supported NCQA’s Natural Language Processing work with UPMC Enterprises. Dr. Ryan’s professional background is a “perfect storm” of skills and experience for the newly created position. In addition to Apervita, Brad has held leadership roles at IMS Health and McKinsey & Company. Dr. Ryan earned his medical degree at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He studied engineering, computer science and mathematics as an undergraduate at the University of Alabama. To this day, he remains firmly committed to “Roll Tide” and to his family and friends in Alabama.

Gregg Simonson, PhD, Director, Park Nicollet Health Services

Gregg D. Simonson, PhD, holds an academic appointment as an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Family Practice and Community Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School and is responsible for ensuring that family practice residents understand how to provide evidence-based diabetes care and education.

Dr. Simonson earned his doctorate in molecular cell biology and biochemistry at the University of Minnesota. He held a post-doctoral research position at the University of Wisconsin Children’s Diabetes Center and was awarded a Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowship for his research on diabetes gene therapy. As Director of Care Transformation and Training, Dr. Simonson oversees development of the Ambulatory Glucose Profile (AGP) Report, quality improvement projects with emphasis on integrating continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data into the electronic medical record and the development of continuing education programs for healthcare and industry professionals. His research interests include translation of research into clinical practice through creation of evidence-based algorithms, practice guidelines, and education resources.



Dr. Simonson is a member of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Minnesota Department of Health Diabetes CVD and Diabetes Plan Leadership Team. He was the recipient of the 2015 Bruce Zimmerman Diabetes Award by the Minnesota Department of Health for leadership in promoting diabetes care, education, and prevention. He has authored many original articles published in peer-reviewed journals and has presented abstracts of his research at numerous national and international scientific meetings.

Vanessa Southworth, MBA, Community Wellbeing Director, Winona Health

Vanessa Southworth is the Community Wellbeing Director for Winona Health, leading the Live Well Winona department, which manages the Winona County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) and Winona Community HUB. Vanessa holds an undergraduate degree in psychology with a women’s studies minor, and a master of business administration, both from Viterbo University. Vanessa completed a certificate from the Executive Leadership Institute, a collaboration of University of Michigan School of Social Work, University of Michigan Ross School of Business, and Alliance for Children and Families. Vanessa currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance Board and is a member of the Winona Family YMCA Board.

Mark Steffen, MD, MPH, SVP, Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN

As senior vice president of medical management and chief medical officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Dr. Mark Steffen oversees medical and care management strategies for the company’s 2.5 million members. Additionally, Dr. Steffen is responsible for leading our care management, pharmacy, as well as our population health and affordability strategies. Dr. Steffen is an experienced medical executive and holds three board certifications in Family Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Occupational Medicine. He came to Blue Cross in 2018 after spending several years in managed care where he focused on population health and value-based care. Dr. Steffen spent five years at the Mayo Clinic in the Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine where he served as the Medical Director of the Preventive Services Clinic and as education chair for the division. Dr. Steffen’s career leadership began with a three-year tenure as medical director for the Fairview Red Wing Medical Center, a position in which he collaborated with local businesses to improve health and control costs. He began his career focusing on rural family medicine in Zumbrota, Minn.

Sean Wherry, MD, Physician, Section Medical Director Population Health Section, CentraCare

Dr. Sean Wherry, MD, is a distinguished family medicine physician with a comprehensive background in patient care and medical leadership. Currently serving the community of central Minnesota, Dr. Wherry practices at CentraCare, where his expertise in family medicine benefits individuals and families across the region. His commitment to healthcare excellence extends to his role as the medical director for CentraCare’s Population Health, where he oversees programs aimed at improving the health outcomes of the population while managing costs and resources effectively. In addition to his responsibilities at CentraCare, Dr. Wherry is also the medical director for the Central MN Accountable Care Organization (ACO), leading initiatives that enhance the quality of care through collaborative efforts among healthcare providers. His educational journey is marked by an impressive academic record, having earned his medical degree from The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. He further honed his skills and knowledge during his residency in Family Medicine at the National Capital Consortium in Washington, D.C. Dr. Wherry's dedication to medicine and his country is exemplified by his ten years of honorable service as an active-duty physician in the United States Air Force, where he provided medical care to service members and their families. His extensive experience and unwavering dedication to patient care make him a valuable asset to the medical community and an inspiration to his peers and patients alike.

Hannah Wieshalla, Executive Director, Central MN ACO and Population Health, CentraCare

Hannah Wieshalla is the Executive Director, Central MN ACO and Population Health at CentraCare. She sets and oversees CentraCare’s Population Health value strategies and operations which includes Central MN ACO, value-based care contracts, health and community equity, PH analytics, PH management/operations, outpatient and inpatient clinical documentation integrity, population-based patient engagement strategy and physician compensation value-based care metrics. In addition to her CentraCare roles, she has had positions at other healthcare organizations in finance, contracting, revenue cycle, and reimbursement. Hannah holds a bachelor’s in accounting and a master’s in business administration. She serves as a member of the NAACOS Policy Committee and as the Mayor of Browerville, MN.

Tyler Winkelman, MD, MSc, Co-Director, Health, Homelessness, and Criminal Justice Lab, Hennepin Healthcare

Dr. Winkelman is the Division Director of General Internal Medicine at Hennepin Healthcare, Co-Director of the Health, Homelessness, and Criminal Justice Lab at the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, and was the inaugural president of the Minnesota EHR Consortium.

Stamatis Zeris, MD, FAPA, Psychiatry Residency Program Director, Hennepin Healthcare

Dr. Zeris is a psychiatrist and has been a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and has been working in the adult outpatient psychiatry clinic at Hennepin County Medical Center since 2014. He has held various medical leadership and educational positions over the last 10 years including working in primary care behavioral health. He is currently working as the adult psychiatrist for the First Episode Schizophrenia Program at HCMC and is the program director of the psychiatry residency at Hennepin Regions. He is also an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Zeris is dedicated to teaching the next generation of psychiatrists in culturally responsive and evidence based psychiatric care of underserved populations.

David Kurtzon, MPH, Health Care Homes Director, Minnesota Department of Health

David began his public health career working in the non-profit sector as an educator and trainer. He joined the Minnesota Department of Health, Health Care Homes section over 8 years ago. David first worked on the learning team, then transitioned to the role of Systems Development Supervisor. Now in the role of Health Care Homes Director, David works on numerous initiatives focused on supporting and strengthening primary care.