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Staff
Marianne Udow-Phillips
MHSA, University of Michigan
Director
Marianne Udow-Phillips is the director of the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation (CHRT), a non-profit partnership of the University of Michigan and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan with a mission to promote evidence based care delivery, improve population health, and expand access to care. CHRT combines the research strengths of the University with the health plan expertise of the Blues to test the best ideas for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the health care system. CHRT is committed to informing and educating the public through a range of forums, symposia, and reports relevant to policy makers and the public at large.
Before coming to the Center, Marianne served as director of the Michigan Department of Human Services from 2004 to 2007, appointed by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. Marianne came to state service from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, where she served in a number of leadership roles for over 20 years, most recently as senior vice president of Health Care Products and Provider Services, with responsibility for the BCBSM social mission, health policy, data analysis, care and network management programs for the traditional and PPO products. She also served as senior vice president and vice president of Plans and Operations for Mercy Alternative and Care Choices. Marianne has a master’s degree in Health Services Administration (MHSA) from the University of Michigan School Of Public Health.
In addition to her long standing commitment to improving the quality and affordability of health care, Marianne is a passionate advocate for improving the lives of the poor with a special emphasis on children, including a focus on early childhood development. She has served on many boards and commissions. Among others, her current board involvement includes the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority, the School of Public Health Dean’s Advisory Committee, NOVO 1, Inc., and Freedom from Hunger. She has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Anti-Defamation League’s “Women of Achievement Award,” Crain’s Detroit Business top 100 “Most Influential Women” in 2002 and 2007, Wayne State College of Nursing’s “2003 Lifeline Award,” Girl Scouts of Huron Valley Council’s “2006 Women of Distinction Award,” Michigan Business and Professional Association’s “2006 Women & Leadership in the Workplace Award,” Michigan Fatherhood Coalition’s “2007 Child Advocate Award,” Michigan Women’s Foundation’s “2007 Women of Achievement and Courage Award,” and most recently, the 2008 Michigan’s Children’s “Heroes” award.
Emily Ehrlich
MPH, University of Michigan
Health Policy Consultant, Care Delivery & Financing
Emily Ehrlich manages projects in the area of care delivery and financing systems that test ideas in benefit design, medical appropriateness, and system transformation. She also monitors health industry news and trends and conducts secondary research to support the business needs of CHRT.
Emily brings more than 15 years of health care research experience to CHRT. Prior to her current position, she was a consultant with Thomson Healthcare (now Thomson Reuters). She was also a senior survey specialist at the Institute for Survey Research, and worked as a healthcare consultant with Vector Research, Inc. (now Altarum Institute).
Patrice Eller
MSW and MPH, University of Michigan
Health Policy Consultant, Population Health & Access
Patrice Eller is a health policy consultant at the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation, a non-profit partnership between the University of Michigan Health System and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan with a mission to promote evidence-based care delivery, improve population health, and expand access to care. In that role, Patrice is responsible for development and funding of research projects with focus on health status improvement and access to health care. During her first two years with CHRT, Patrice concurrently served as director of the Health Care Value Enhancement Division for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM). She served as the deputy director for Adult and Family Services at the Michigan Department of Human Services for three years. Her 23 year career with BCBSM includes four years as manager of Social Mission, where she developed the health agenda focusing on health status improvement initiatives and supported the Access to Health Care Coalition. Patrice holds master's degrees in social work and public health from the University of Michigan.
Elizabeth Jahn
BA, University of Michigan
Administrative Manager
Elizabeth Jahn manages the administrative, legal, and financial aspects of the Center.
Before joining CHRT, Elizabeth worked for twelve years as assistant to the president of the University Musical Society (UMS), one of the nation's leading arts presenting organizations. In addition to serving as a key administrator and project facilitator, she was the liaison to the board of directors.
Tiffani Lee
MS, Eastern Michigan University
Senior Administrative Assistant Healthcare
Tiffani Lee coordinates the key administrative needs for the Center in support of the director, staff, research projects and outreach initiatives.
Tiffani earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Science in Quality Management, specializing in Lean.
Tomi Ogundimu
MPH, University of Michigan
Health Policy Fellow
Tomi Ogundimu supports CHRT’s legislative, public information, and policy research efforts. She was one of two lead researchers on CHRT’s 2009 publication Cover Michigan, a comprehensive report on health care coverage in our state. Her current work includes CHRT’s next major report, The Price of Care, the 2010 update of Cover Michigan. She is a 2009 graduate of the University of Michigan School of Public Health with a master’s in Health Management & Policy.
Melissa Riba
MS, Michigan State University
Healthcare Research Consultant
Melissa Riba is responsible for the research and evaluation design components of CHRT projects and takes the lead in identifying researchers and research partners for projects in both major project categories: care delivery/financing systems and population health/access to care.
Prior to this position, Melissa was a senior consultant for evaluation and survey research in the Health and Human Services Policy Division at Public Sector Consultants, Inc. In this role, Melissa designed and conducted research that evaluated federal and state funded programs related to expanding access to care for the uninsured, children's mental health, special education, and the use of substance abuse services among the Medicaid population in mid- and southern Michigan.
Karen Stock
MBA, Northwood University
Communications Director
Karen Stock is responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies to promote CHRT's mission and share its work with partners, stakeholders and the public.
Karen brings more than 20 years of communications and outreach experience to CHRT including work with the Michigan Department of Human Services, the Michigan Department of Information Technology, Northwood University, and the Lansing Art Gallery.
Copyright © 2008–10 Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation
A non-profit partnership between
University of Michigan Health System &
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan