About Us
Avalere Health
Avalere is a vibrant community of innovative thinkers dedicated to solving the challenges of the healthcare system. We know the only way to change healthcare is to ensure a variety of voices are included so we and our customers benefit from every point of view. We leverage our collective strengths to develop practical solutions for our clients. We prize insights and strategies driven by robust data to achieve meaningful results. Avalere is a part of Fishawack Health.
RWJF
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is the nation’s largest philanthropy dedicated solely to health. Since 1972, we’ve supported research and programs targeting some of America’s most pressing health issues—from substance abuse to improving access to quality health care.
HSTRC
In collaboration with researchers, policymakers, and health system leaders, the Health Systems Transformation Research Coordinating Center (HSTRC) reviews relevant research, assesses health system models’ ability to advance equity, and identifies gaps in the evidence base to change the ways in which research is generated, funded, and used to promote health equity for Medicaid-eligible individuals. As it currently stands, HSTRC is the only coordinating center in the country that brings together relevant research and considers the merits of various care models for Medicaid-eligible individuals.
Project Staff
Elizabeth Carpenter, HSTRC Project Lead
Elizabeth, Head of Advisory Services, co-leads this project and provides subject matter expertise in policy. Elizabeth specializes in policy, particularly in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), trends in commercial insurance, drug pricing policy, and the impact of politics on the policy landscape. She is regularly quoted in national and trade press and is a frequent presenter to audiences seeking to understand healthcare policy. At Avalere and in previous roles, she has significant experience convening information from experts and stakeholders. In particular, Elizabeth is regularly called upon by clients to educate diverse executive teams, identify business needs, and drive toward action plans. Of note, Elizabeth was also chosen by the National Governors Association (NGA) to present the impact of Medicaid block grants and per-capita caps at a closed-door meeting of governors at the 2017 Summer Meeting.
Shelby Harrington, HSTRC Co-Project Lead
Using her background in clinical quality, strategy, and digital transformation, Shelby has helped life sciences manufacturers develop value-based care strategies by using mixed-methods research to characterize patient-centric outcomes linked with their products (e.g., improved mental health, relationships, and employment, and ability to work and parent), particularly for rare, chronic, and degenerative diseases.
Emily Belowich, HSTRC Co-Project Lead and Project Manager
Using her background in quality improvement, Emily supports stakeholders seeking to optimize alternative payment models and care-delivery strategies as they adapt their business models toward value-based environments. Her work also focuses on patient engagement, chronic kidney disease care, digital health, and strategic planning.
Mali Khan, HSTRC Project Support
Using her background in health policy and healthcare management, Mali supports stakeholders spanning a variety of healthcare sectors with her experience in qualitative research methods and analysis. Her work also focuses on social determinants of health and global public health.
Shukai Zhang, HSTRC Project Support
Using his background in quality improvement and value-based care, he advises health plan clients with strategic and operational recommendations to increase performance, retention, quality, compliance, and competitiveness.
Jacquelynn Y. Orr, DrPH, FACHE, RWJF Program Officer, Research Evaluation Learning
Jacquelynn is part of the Research, Learning and Evaluation (REL) team at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). Orr’s professional experience in physician practice management, medical education, public health, and health disparities research contribute to the REL team’s approach to research, evaluation, and shared learning and as a strategic liaison to various RWJF efforts including transforming health and health care systems.
Stephen A. Theisen, RWJF Senior Program Financial Analyst
Stephen is a Senior Program Financial Analyst on the Transforming Health and Health Care Systems theme at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.