John Pepen, MPP, MD, is a surgeon at Atlantic Health System’s Overlook Medical Center and a Senior Fellow of the Quality Institute. Dr. Pepen brings his clinical expertise and direct patient experience to support the Mayors Wellness Campaign and the development of programs that address social drivers of health.   As a general surgeon focused…Read More…

Shabnam Salih is the Director of the New Jersey Governor’s Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency.   How did you first become involved in health policy work? Like all of us, I’m very much shaped by my personal experiences. I’m proud to be the daughter of immigrants. My older sister has a disability and…Read More…

Allison Cerco serves on Asbury Park’s Mayors Wellness Campaign committee and is a Community Outreach Manager for Hackensack Meridian Health. She was awarded the Mayors Wellness Campaign 2020 Champion of Health award. The Mayors Wellness Campaign is a program of the Quality Institute in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.   You…Read More…

Claudia Tucker is Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Teladoc Health. Teladoc Health is a member of the Quality Institute’s Professional & Technology Council.   During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw the use of telehealth increase substantially. But access was not equal. What does digital health equality mean to you? Let…Read More…

Kate Shamszad, MS, MPH, Director of the Medicaid Policy Center, a program of the Quality Institute.   As the new Director of the Medicaid Policy Center (MPC), what are your short and long-term priorities for the program? It’s been a really busy last year with the onset of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Maintaining high…Read More…

Nicholas Blanck, CRNA MSN, APN-Anesthesia, is the Executive Director of Legislative Affairs for the New Jersey Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NJANA), a member of the Quality Institute’s Association Council.   Managing the pain and comfort of patients going into surgery can be challenging, especially during this pandemic. How does a nurse anesthetist ease this stress?…Read More…

Suzy Dyer, Esq., is Executive Director of the Parker Family Health Center, a member of the Quality Institute’s Consumer Council.    Parker Family Health Center provides free medical care to Monmouth County residents without health insurance. How do you financially support your work? We support our work through fund development — specifically through grants and individual…Read More…

Amy Mansue is the President and CEO of Inspira Health, a member of the Quality Institute’s Provider Council, System Level.   You stepped into the leadership role of Inspira Health in September of last year. What are your top priorities for improving quality and patient safety? The organization has been on a High Reliability journey…Read More…

Triste A. Brooks, MS, AASECT, is President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central and Southern New Jersey, Inc. The organization is a member of the Quality Institute’s Leadership Council.   What are some of the most common barriers your patients in New Jersey face in accessing reproductive health care? At Planned Parenthood, we…Read More…

Gary D. St. Hilaire is President and CEO of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, a member of the Quality Institute’s Leadership Council. St. Hilaire joined Horizon in April.   Horizon is moving its contracting away from fee-for-service payments to alternative payment and care models. Which models do you see the most expansion…Read More…