2026 Maryland State of Reform Health Policy Conference

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This panel will explore Maryland’s Rural Health Transformation Program, with a focus on early implementation goals and funding priorities. Panelists will include state leaders responsible for administering the program, as well as health system and community leaders working in rural Maryland who will directly benefit from this investment. 

Elizabeth Kromm, PhD: Assistant Secretary, Maryland Department of Health

Megan Priolo: Executive Director, Chesapeake Regional Information Systems for Our Patients (CRISP)

Moderator: Sarah Boateng, MHA: Principal, Health Management Associates

Artificial intelligence holds tremendous promise for improving care delivery and health equity — but realizing that potential requires navigating ethical, regulatory, and operational challenges. This panel will bring together healthcare leaders to move beyond the hype and share practical insights on responsible AI adoption, leaving attendees with concrete, actionable recommendations to advance their organization’s AI strategy.

Rachel Gruner: Healthcare Lead, Microsoft AI

Moderator: Brandon Greife, JD: Principal, Health Management Associates

Panelists will discuss their outlook for the implementation of the AHEAD model in Maryland. They will offer their thoughts on the challenges associated with the AHEAD model and the unique opportunities this offers to payers, providers, and patients. Panelists will discuss topics such as Medicare Advantage enrollment, hospital and physician payment rates, access to care, cost shifting, and patient cost sharing.

Aneena Azel: Executive Director, Strategic Payor Initiatives, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Erin Dorrien: Associate Principal, Health Management Associates

Gene Ransom: Chief Executive Officer, MedChi

Kimberly Robinson: Vice President, Government Affairs, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Allison Taylor: Head of Government Relations, Kaiser Permanente

This panel will present (1) how Maryland is investing in new partnerships, infrastructure, programs and resources to increase access to and demand for healthy food in hunger “hot spots”, (2) the vision for community impact, and (3) opportunities to support these efforts to decrease nutrition related conditions that drive disparities in health outcomes.

Brad Fallon: Assistant Secretary, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

Meg Kimmel: President and Chief Executive Officer, Maryland Food Bank

Elizabeth Kromm, PhD: Assistant Secretary, Maryland Department of Health

Madeleine Shea, PhD: Principal Health Management Associates

Moderator: Jean Glossa, MD, MBA, FACP: Vice President, Cilent Solutions, Health Management Associates

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Moderator: Juan Montanez, MBA: Managing Director, Health Management Associates

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Andy York: Executive Director, Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board

Moderator: Amy Bassano: Managing Director, Medicare, Health Management Associates

The Baltimore Comprehensive Overdose Response to End the Epidemic, or BCORE, is a city-wide collaboration between the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the city of Baltimore, and community-based organizations with the aim of preventing overdose deaths. BCORE is designed to engage people with substance use disorder at key points of crisis response and emergency care to provide them with access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and connect them to long-term supportive care and services. This panel will include an overview of the BCORE project and a discussion of the progress, outcomes, and lessons learned to date. 

Dan Gingold: Associate Professor, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Martha Jurczak, MFA: Assistant Dean for Business and Economic Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Eric Weintraub, MD: Professor of Psychiatry; Division Head, Alcohol & Drug Abuse; Acting Division Head, Adult Psychiatry; Associate Director at the Kahlert Institute for Addition Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Sara Whaley: Executive Director of Overdose Response, City of Baltimore

Moderator: Anika Alvanzo, MD, MS, DFASAM, FACP: Principal Health Management Associates

Maryland is investing significantly in efforts to develop, recruit, and retain a strong health care workforce, most recently making workforce development Pilar 1 of the Rural Health Transformation Program. This panel will explore the programs expanding under the RHTP as well as workforce development across the state. 

Katherine Jacobson, MD, FAAFP: Program Director, Maryland Area Health Education Center

David Lehr: Chief Operating Officer, Meritus Medical School

This panel will examine practical, state‑level efforts to expand and sustain access to health insurance coverage, with a focus on maintaining continuity for people transitioning between Medicaid and the Marketplace and ensuring coverage remains affordable for individuals and families managing chronic conditions. Together, speakers will discuss what is working, where gaps remain, and how policymakers and implementers can strengthen coverage retention and affordability, particularly for populations most vulnerable to coverage loss. 

Perrie Briskin: Deputy Secretary, Healthcare Finance & Medicaid Director, Maryland Department of Health

Johanna Fabian-Marks: Deputy Executive Director, Maryland Health Benefit Exchange

Melissa Horn: Director of State Legislative Affairs, Arthritis Foundation

Moderator: Lina Rashid, MHM: Principal, Health Management Associates

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Maxine Curtis: Senior Program Manager – Behavioral Health, Maryland Judiciary

Katie Dilley: Chief Executive Officer, Mid Shore Behavioral Health

Kevin Lindamood: Chief Executive Officer, Healthcare for the Homeless

Hon Marina Sabett: Associate Judge, District Court of Maryland

Moderator: Debbi Witham: Principal, Health Management Associates

Maryland continues to face longstanding challenges in hospital discharge, including longer lengths of stay and limited statewide capacity. The panel will highlight how Maryland hospitals can address internal barriers—such as improving care‑team processes and strengthening discharge coordination—drawing on lessons from successful pilot models in other states that have demonstrated reduced readmissions and improved patient outcomes. The panel will hear from individuals working on Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission’s draft Readmission Reduction Incentive Program Policy.

Natalie Daniel: Policy Director, Unite Us

Kai Shea: Executive Director, Care Management, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

Moderator: Dari Pogach, JD: Senior Consultant, Health Management Associates

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Bethany McAleer: Chief Actuary, John Hopkins Healthcare

Mike Rapach: Senior Vice President, Government Programs, President & Chief Executive Officer, Carefirst

Moderator: Rachel Stewart: Senior Consulting Actuary, Health Management Associates

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