I’m pleased to announce that three impressive health leaders have joined our Board of Directors, each well-known and respected throughout the state and committed to the Quality Institute’s mission to improve health care safety, quality, and affordability for everyone. These leaders have worked with the Quality Institute providing expertise on issues such as payment models, social determinants and health equity, public health, and quality. We shared the news in a press release distributed to media today.

First, I am introducing you to Ashish D. Parikh, M.D., Chief Population Health Officer, VillageMD-Summit Health. Dr. Parikh helps shape population health strategies and has extensive experience in alternative payment models and care coordination. Dr. Parikh is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and is board certified in Internal Medicine. He has been an invaluable resource to the Quality Institute in our initiatives to improve primary care in New Jersey and, especially, in the creation of Primary Care in New Jersey: Findings and Recommendations to Support Advanced Primary Care. Dr. Parikh’s background also includes leadership positions at IBM, RWJ Barnabas Health, and Southern California Permanente Medical Group.

Next is Andrea Martinez-Mejia, Executive Director of the Greater Newark Health Care Coalition. Martinez-Mejia brings an impressive range of experience in government, public health, crisis management as well as licensing, regulations, and oversight. As the Chief of Staff at the New Jersey Department of Health during the pandemic, she played a pivotal role in outreach efforts related to COVID-19 vaccines and equitable resource distribution. She now leads the Greater Newark Health Care Coalition, a Regional Health Hub and long-time partner and member of the Quality Institute. Martinez-Mejia also serves on the inaugural board of the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority.

Finally, I am delighted to also welcome John Leyman, Director of State Government Affairs for DaVita Kidney Care. Leyman oversees state public policy, legislative and regulatory activities in the 13 northeastern states and the District Columbia. He is a long-time member of the Quality Institute and Senator Joseph Vitale’s Health Reform Work Group, which for over 15 years has addressed payment and market reforms to increase coverage and access. Leyman’s background in state government, legislative and regulatory affairs, and his deep expertise in policy, as well as his experience in the insurance industry, will provide a critical multi-stakeholder perspective to the Quality Institute Board.

Please join me in welcoming these three distinguished health care leaders to our Board. I know they will enrich our understanding and knowledge of the health care issues we face today — and I know they will strengthen the guidance the Board provides to the Quality Institute.