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NASHP Staff Directory

  • Abigail Arons, Policy Analyst

    Abigail Arons joined NASHP in 2011 as a Policy Analyst. She works on projects related to health reform implementation and delivery system reform. Prior to joining NASHP, Abby worked at the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas, and the Texas Legislative Council. Abby was also an intern at NASHP during the summer of 2010. She holds a BA in mathematics from Smith College and a master of public affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.

  • Leigha Basini, Program Manager

    Leigha Basini joined NASHP in 2010. Her work focuses on a grant funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation to advance states’ coverage of children, primarily through supporting state Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) directors with health care reform and other legislation. Leigha also works on projects relating to oral health. Prior to joining NASHP, she worked as an attorney with the New York State Insurance Department, where she was responsible for overseeing daily operations of the Healthy NY program, implementing several new coverage expansion laws, and health care reform analysis and implementation. She has also served as the assistant regional manager of a workers’ compensation insurance organization and as the development manager of a not-for-profit health care organization, where she was also responsible for health care policy analysis. Leigha graduated magna cum laude from Queens University of Charlotte with a BA in French and holds a JD from Tulane University.

  • Katie Baudouin, Policy Specialist

    Katie Baudouin joined NASHP in 2011. Through the Maximizing Enrollment program she works with grantee states to improve their Medicaid and CHIP eligibility and enrollment systems and processes, and also assists as they prepare for health care reform implementation in 2014. Before joining NASHP, she worked for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals on the state's MaxEnroll project, as well as health care reform and managed care implementation. She previously worked with nonprofit and community based organizations as Public Policy Director of the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO). She earned an MPA from Louisiana State University.

  • Laurie Belden, Director of Academy Relations

    Laurie Belden joined NASHP in 2001 as a member of the conference staff and shortly thereafter assumed the role of director of conferences.  In 2006, her responsibilities were expanded to also include office operations.  In her new position as director of academy relations, she is responsible for coordinating and monitoring the involvement of Academy Members and the CHPD Board.  In addition, she also oversees member recruitment and leadership development activities within the Academy.  She continues to manage convening activities of the organization, including the annual conference and all project-related meetings.  Before joining NASHP, Laurie served as education manager for the Maine Health Care Association. Laurie holds a degree in social services from the University of Maine at Augusta.

  • Jason Buxbaum, Policy Analyst

    Jason Buxbaum focuses on state efforts to improve primary care, especially through the medical home model. He also works on quality improvement, patient safety, and general health reform issues. Prior to joining NASHP in 2009, Mr. Buxbaum worked as an analyst with The Mellman Group. He has interned with the Maine Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Mr. Buxbaum graduated Phi Beta Kappa and cum laude from Bates College in 2008, receiving a B.A. in political science and sociology.

  • Steve Cannon, Business Manager

    Steve Cannon joined NASHP in January 1998 after 10 years as a business and finance manager in academic health care at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University.  He holds a BA from Duke University.