Board of Directors
Incorporated in 1987, the Center for Health Policy Development (CHPD) Board of Directors is responsible for the legal and fiduciary management and oversight of the organization, which includes the non-profit National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP). NASHP is an independent academy of state health policymakers working together to identify emerging issues, develop policy solutions, and improve state health policy and practice. NASHP is led by and for state health policy officials including leaders from both the executive and legislative branches of state government.
Center for Health Policy Development – 2020 Board of Directors
Chair
Nicolette (Nikki) Highsmith Vernick, MPA
President and Chief Executive Officer
The Horizon Foundation
10480 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 900
Columbia, MD 21044
Member of CHPD’s Executive, Audit, and Nominating Committees
Immediate Past Chair
Susan Reinhard, PhD, RN
Senior Vice President
AARP
601 E Street, NW, #B6-450
Washington, DC 20049
Member of CHPD’s Executive Committee
Vice Chair
Anne Barry, JD, MPH
Senior Faculty, School of Public Health
University of Minnesota
5533 Woodlawn Blvd.
Minneapolis, MN 55417
Member of CHPD’s Executive and Nominating Committees
Treasurer
Janette Burke, CPA
Principal, Cordia Partners
8330 Boone Blvd., Suite 350
Vienna, VA 22182
Member of CHPD’s Executive and Finance Committees
Secretary
Marcia (Marci) Nielsen, PhD, MPH
PolicyPRN Consulting
1815 Foxfire Drive
Lawrence, KS 66047
Member of CHPD’s Executive, Audit, and Nominating Committees
Members
John Morrison, Esq.
Senior Partner
Morrison, Sherwood, Wilson and Deola PLLP
401 North Last Chance Gulch
Helena, MT 59601
Member of CHPD’s Audit and Finance Committees
Carolyn Magill
Chief Executive Officer
Aetion, Inc.
575 7th Avenue, 20th Fl. Suite 2001
New York, NY 10018
Shannon M. McMahon, MPA
Executive Director, Medicaid Policy | Government Relations
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.
900 7th Street, NW, Suite 590
Washington, DC 20001
Member of CHPD’s Finance Committee
Debra Pérez, PhD
Senior Vice President of Organizational Culture, Inclusion & Equity
Simmons University
300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115
Member of CHPD’s Nominating Committee
David Rousseau
Vice President and Executive Director of Health Policy Media and Technology and Publisher of Kaiser
Health News
Kaiser Family Foundation
185 Berry St. Suite 2000
San Francisco, CA 94107
Ex Officio
MaryAnne Lindeblad, BSN, MPH
Medicaid Director
Washington State Health Care Authority
PO Box 42682, HCA
Olympia, WA 98504
President
Patricia (Trish) Riley
President
Center for Health Policy Development
Executive Director
National Academy for State Health Policy
Portland, ME 04101
Staff Liaison
Ellen Jane Schneiter
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Center for Health Policy Development
National Academy for State Health Policy
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
