Today’s CEOs are facing more challenges than ever, as demonstrated by the two-decade high in turnover for healthcare CEOs, instability in the global (and national) economy, and an increasingly competitive and rapidly changing post-pandemic health and human service. Despite these pressing challenges, there are key directional trends in the field that are known— such as integrated care models, payviders, retail health care and consumerism, reimbursement tied to performance, price sensitivity, and the end of the public health emergency.
For executives, envisioning the opportunities and future market positioning in the ever-evolving landscape will be a key leadership competency and a critical piece of organizational success. The OPEN MINDS Chief Executive Officer Learning Path was created to equip today’s CEOs with the critical skills and competencies needed to embrace current challenges, make informed decisions, and lead their organizations into the future with confidence.
View featured courses and sessions below to get started!
Optimizing Health Plan Contracting: The 2026 OPEN MINDS Executive Seminar On Building Referrals, Revenue & Margins
Across the country, managed care organizations are successfully delivering treatment services to large populations and doing it in a way that saves states significant sums of money. These demonstrated savings show that value-based reimbursement and managed care arrangements aren’t going anywhere. For executives, this means they must find a way to position themselves to work closely with managed care companies. And provider organizations need to move from an understanding of the key competencies required in the VBR model to tactical initiatives for implementing the talent, technology, and systems that deliver quality and value.
How? By developing relationships with the payers in your market, considering what metrics they are tied to and how you can help them to meet their performance requirements, discussing how you can align programs and services with the goals of the payers and health plans in your market, and providing data that proves your service lines can achieve both high quality outcomes and lower costs. In this crucial seminar, we will discuss:
- How to start strategic conversations with health plans
- How to confirm the foundational components of infrastructure needed for VBR are in place and demonstrate your organization’s value in a way that will capture health plan’s interest
- How to secure and optimize service agreements with health plans and implement approaches to realign service models to ensure success in a value-driven market
Rick Gutierrez, Ph.D., BCBA
Rick Gutierrez, Ph.D. brings over 20 years of clinical and operational experience to the OPEN MINDS team. His unique blend of experience has allowed him to drive impactful outcomes in the developmental disability and behavioral health fields.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Dr. Gutierrez served as Vice President, Clinical Strategy & Operations at Easterseals Southern California. In this role he oversaw the outpatient Applied Behavior Analysis provider network and Enhanced Care Management in partnership with Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Gutierrez also oversaw START Crisis services, behavioral services for all residential services, negotiation and management of contracts with network providers and payers, and intake and customer service functions including revenue cycle management, benefits and eligibility, and authorization teams. In addition, he developed and monitored the implementation of a strategic plan in collaboration with the Chief Clinical Officer.
Prior to this, Dr. Gutierrez served as Regional Vice President and Director of Subcontracting also at Easterseals Southern California.
Previously, Dr. Gutierrez served as Clinical Administrator at Applied Behavioral Consultants, Inc. where he oversaw all clinical aspects of community-based behavioral health treatment for consumers in Southern California. He also monitored compliance across multiple areas of the organization, negotiated contracts with most major health plans, and led new program development. Before this role, Dr. Gutierrez served as Regional Director and Program Manager at Applied Behavioral Consultants, Inc.
Dr. Gutierrez is a certified Emotional Intelligence (EQ) trainer, licensed psychologist in California, and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). He has overseen a variety of service settings, including adult day programs, residential programs, and intensive therapy programs like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and has worked with individuals across the lifespan who have developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions. He has experience managing projects aimed at enhancing service delivery, ensuring that strategic initiatives align with budgeted funding and contribute to sustainable growth. He has worked across diverse funding models, including those from the Department of Developmental Services, insurance companies, and school districts, while ensuring programs meet accreditation standards. Additionally, he has shared his expertise globally, giving numerous talks on program development, leadership, and employee retention. These combined clinical and operational skills make him a versatile leader capable of improving both care delivery and organizational performance.
He has also served as Program Director, Behavior Consultant, and Case Manager at various organizations. Dr. Gutierrez is an active member of multiple professional organizations.
Dr. Gutierrez earned his Doctorate of Philosophy from Capella University, his Masters of Science from California State University, and his Bachelors of Art from University of California.
Portfolio Management To Optimize Organizational Performance: The 2026 OPEN MINDS Executive Seminar On How To Build A Service Line Portfolio For The Future
Sponsored By: 
In the current environment of changing consumer expectations and new financial models, two essential skills that all executives need to master are the ability to evaluate and modify existing service lines as well as the ability to develop new services to meet the changes in the evolving market.
In this revamped seminar, OPEN MINDS industry expert Joe Naughton-Travers will break down the process of evaluating current service lines to help answer the questions, which ones should you keep, invest in or curtail? They will also discuss the details of the finances, legacy and compliance issues that come with enhancing the service lines you already have. In addition, they’ll review real-world case studies, and the tools used in the analysis to help create a budget for new service lines, the understanding of reimbursement rates, and the units of service and staffing needed to help organizations decide if this is a viable option.
Attendees will take away:
- A multi-faceted approach for evaluating service line opportunities
- The tools needed to analyze current and new service lines
- Real world examples of new service line development and decision making from successful organizations
Joseph P. Naughton-Travers, EdM
Joseph P. Naughton-Travers, EdM, Senior Associate, has more than 30 years of experience in the health and human service field. In this tenure as senior associate with OPEN MINDS since 1998, he has served as lead of dozens of client initiatives, served as editor of OPEN MINDS publications, and is the author of many groundbreaking articles and presentations.
Mr. Naughton-Travers brings to OPEN MINDS a broad range of experiences in private and public sector delivery of behavioral health and social services. He started his career as a behavioral health clinician, working in both child welfare and community mental health clinic settings. Subsequently, Mr. Naughton-Travers held a senior business operations management position for a psychiatric hospital system and its community mental health clinics. Later, he was vice president of a firm specializing in information systems and billing and receivables management for community-based mental health programs.
Since joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Naughton-Travers has developed business solutions for provider and professional organizations, state and county government, technology companies, and venture capital firms. His primary areas of expertise include strategic planning and metrics-based management, electronic health record (EHR) and technology selection and implementation, operations improvement, and corporate compliance. For the past decade, over half his consulting practice has focused on aiding organizations in technology selection and implementation, including all aspects of strategic technology planning, functional specifications development, request for proposal development, vendor selection, and contracting.
He has written numerous articles, including “Winning the Human Resource Wars: Tried, True and New Strategies for Behavioral Health and Social Service Organizations,” “Five Pillars of Management Competency,” “Data Driven Decision Making: Moving to an Organizational Measurement Culture,” “Survival of the Smartest: What is Your Organization’s Information Literacy IQ?,” and “Strategic Human Resource Management: Aligning Compensation with Employee Performance and Organizational Strategy.” Mr. Naughton-Travers is also a nationally recognized speaker, having conducted hundreds of executive and professional executive training events around the nation.
Mr. Naughton-Travers received his Bachelor’s degree from Miami University of Ohio and his Masters’ of Education in Counseling Psychology from Boston University.
Where Are We Headed? A State Of The Behavioral Health Industry With Kaiser Permanente
Behavioral health demand continues to surge alongside evolving reimbursement models, workforce shortages and rising consumer expectations. Leaders are being challenged to navigate unprecedented complexity, while still delivering measurable outcomes. In this timely keynote address, senior leaders from Kaiser Permanente, Dr. James Tong, Assistant Regional Medical Director, Care of Children Service Line Leader, and Dawn Gillam, LCSW, Executive Leader, Behavioral Health, offer a forward-looking view of where the behavioral health industry is headed and what it will take to succeed in the years ahead.
Drawing on one of the nation’s largest integrated care models, this session will examine key trends shaping the field, including the acceleration of value-based care, the integration of behavioral and physical health, digital innovation, and the shifting role of payers and providers. Attendees will gain insight into how leading organizations are addressing access, quality, and cost simultaneously—and what strategies are proving most effective at scale.
Dawn Gillam, LCSW
Perfecting Patient Engagement & Experience From Beginning To End
Patient engagement is no longer a single touchpoint—its an end-to-end ecosystem that shapes clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and long-term organizational growth. This session explores how leading behavioral health organizations are redesigning the patient journey from the first outreach to sustained recovery, with strategies that blend human-centered design, technology enablement, and trauma-informed care.
Discover how to create a customer success program through proven tactics for improving intake and navigation, enhancing the care experience across care teams, strengthening communication, and supporting successful transitions and follow ups.
J.J. Johnston, Ed.D., BCBA
Rene Hurtado, MBA
Rene Hurtado was born and raised in El Paso and has over 25 years of experience in healthcare operations and public policy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at El Paso.
Mr. Hurtado has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors of healthcare delivery systems along the U.S.-Mexico border. He has designed communication initiatives in different areas of public health to include trauma & crisis communications, children’s outreach and poison control centers. He has also led marketing and public affairs initiatives for one of the largest hospital systems in El Paso, where he designed multi-media communications initiatives for various healthcare product lines including pediatrics, kidney transplant and oncology. In the area of public policy and government relations, he served as Director of Public Affairs for Spectrum Communications where he advocated for effective telecommunications legislation.
He currently serves as Chief of Staff for Emergence Health Network, the designated mental health authority for El Paso County responsible for designing and maintaining the public mental health/developmental disability service delivery system for the region to include crisis services and suicide prevention. He oversees community affairs, human resources, training & education, and government relations.
Mr. Hurtado also works and has held leadership positions with various community agencies. He has served as chair of the public relations committee for the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation and chair of the government relations division for the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce. He also volunteered with Leadership El Paso, Creative Kids and various community agencies. Mr. Hurtado is a graduate of the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund Leadership Program, Leadership El Paso and the El Paso Creative Cities Leadership Group.
Recently Mr. Hurtado was appointed to One Fund El Paso, which provided guidance and resources for victims of the El Paso August 3rd 2019 Walmart Shooting and has advocated for increased access to mental health services as a result of this tragic mass shooting.
Financial Leadership In Uncertain Times
With inflation, labor costs, and reimbursement volatility, financial leadership is being tested like never before. Join a candid discussion on what today’s CFOs and CEOs must do to weather economic turbulence.
Paul Duck
Paul M. Duck brings over 25 years of experience in leadership and management focusing on managed care, health information technology organizations, strategy, business development, and market expansion, and customer experience optimization to the OPEN MINDS team.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Duck served as the Vice President, Strategy & Development at Beacon Health Options. In this role, Mr. Duck led the organization’s strategy and business development efforts – responsible for a 30% increase in net revenue and initiated over $1 billion in revenue generation. Mr. Duck was active in national behavioral health initiatives as an executive of Beacon Health Options, including participating as a speaker at national and state association meetings.
Before joining Beacon Health Options, Mr. Duck was the Vice President of Business Development at Netsmart Technologies. During his tenure, Mr. Duck was responsible for business planning, including, the oversight of strategic activities including acquisitions, development, and execution of strategic initiatives, and positioning, and sales of large strategic customers. He also led the rollout of the company’s benchmarking and data analytics product suite.
Prior to Netsmart, Mr. Duck served as the Chief Executive Officer for Coastal Orthopedics and Pain Management, a large group practice with five clinic locations and two ambulatory surgical centers. As the organization’s chief executive officer, Mr. Duck was responsible for significant positive changes in leadership and corporate culture, financial and operational performance, compliance, and governance. Mr. Duck improved net collections by over $1 million per month and grew the practice through negotiating better contract rates with payers. He also implemented an organizational rebranding initiative and launched a new marketing campaign.
Prior to Coastal Orthopedics and Pain Management, Mr. Duck served as the President and Chief Executive Officer for Florida Radiology Imaging, one of the largest outpatient diagnostic imaging service companies serving the greater Orlando market. During his tenure, Mr. Duck led the construction of three new, full modality, diagnostic imaging locations. Mr. Duck revolutionized the company’s culture by creating a highly attractive and functional work environment.
Mr. Duck earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Case Western Reserve University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Electronic Engineering Technology from the Electronic Technology Institute. Mr. Duck received an award by Inc Magazine for leading Florida Radiology Imaging as one of America’s fastest-growing companies. Mr. Duck recently served as a contributing author to the book The New Health Age: The Future of Health Care in America.
Private Equity Unpacked: Balancing Innovation, Profit & Mission: A Panel Discussion
Private equity continues to play a role in shaping the behavioral health landscape—bringing capital for expansion, technology, and innovation, while raising questions about sustainability, quality and mission alignment. This session offers a clear and candid look at the dynamics of private equity in behavioral health. Panelists will consider the pros and cons of private equity investment, and the implications it has had on certain programs across the nation, including Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA).
Participants will gain a balanced perspective to help them evaluate potential partnerships, strengthen their strategic posture, and ensure that financial objectives support the organization’s mission and well-being of the individuals they serve.
Michael Zhe, BCBA
Michael Zhe is the CEO of Alora Behavioral Health and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with 18 years of experience in the ABA industry. He began his career as a Behavior Technician and has held senior clinical and operational leadership roles, including Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Michael brings a unique perspective shaped by experience as a clinician, healthcare operator, and parent of a child who has received services.
Rob Haput, MS, BCBA
Neil Hattangadi, M.D.
Healthcare innovation is Neil’s driving passion. Drawing on his training as a physician and scientist, Neil has spent his career leading, advising, and investing in the medical and biotech industries. His experience spans established, market-leading corporations to groundbreaking, early-stage start-ups. Neil holds degrees from Duke University, Harvard Medical School, and Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.
An Update On Innovative New Payer Programs
Join our payer panel to hear the latest in innovative programs that top health plan industries are implementing today. This series will feature different payers from across the nation at each 2026 event.
State & Local Strategies For The Next Decade: Building Age-Ready Systems of Care
States and communities across the country are responding to rapid demographic change as the population of older adults grows and becomes more diverse. Workforce shortages, rising care needs, and evolving expectations around access, technology, and care coordination are placing new demands on aging and health systems. Many states are developing Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs) to align policy, coordinate services, and strengthen systems that support aging across health care, housing, transportation, and community services. At the same time, cities and counties are advancing Age-Friendly Community Action Plans to translate these broader policy goals into practical strategies that improve daily life for older adults.
This panel will explore how state and local leaders are working together to build age-ready systems through cross-sector collaboration, expansion of home- and community-based services, workforce development, and community planning. Panelists will discuss how statewide policy initiatives and local age-friendly strategies can reinforce one another to create coordinated systems that support healthy aging over the coming decade.
Aging In Place: Care Models That Are Improving Outcomes
As health care financing shifts toward value-based reimbursement, aging services providers are increasingly expected to demonstrate measurable outcomes while supporting older adults to remain safely at home. This panel will highlight scalable models that align Medicare Advantage plans, provider organizations, hospitals, and community-based services to improve outcomes while controlling costs.
Panelists will share lessons from home-based care coordination programs, hospital-to-home transition models, and provider–payer partnerships that are helping reduce avoidable hospitalizations and improve continuity of care for medically complex older adults.
Jessica Santos, MS, BSN, RN, CWOCN
Combining Smart Data & Collaboration For Better Performance With Banner Health
Health systems across the country face a common challenge: improving access and quality while managing limited capacity and growing demand. In this keynote, Dr. Marjorie Bessel, Chief Clinical Officer at Banner Health, (who was named as one of Modern Healthcare’s 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives for 2025) will share how a system-wide initiative combining real-time data, interdisciplinary teamwork, and operational alignment transformed patient flow and care performance across six states.
By creating a diverse team, breaking down silos and coordinating daily decision-making across clinical specialties and care settings—including rehabilitation, home-based care, and post-acute services—Banner created smoother care transitions which improved care agility. The results were significant: capacity equivalent to 100 additional beds and the ability to serve nearly 10,000 more patients in a single year.
Join Banner Health to hear actionable insights for harnessing data, strengthening collaboration, and accelerating patient movement across the continuum, all for sustainable operational impact.
Marjorie Bessel, M.D.
Marjorie Bessel, M.D. is the chief clinical officer at Banner Health. Dr. Bessel began her journey with Banner 12 years ago, and has served in progressive physician leadership positions. She initially served as chief medical officer for several hospitals, then moved into the Arizona Division chief medical officer role, before accepting vice president roles for Continuum Management and Clinical Integration. She most recently served as vice president/chief medical officer for Community Delivery.
Her clinical background is as a hospitalist and she maintains board certification and active staff privileges. She is also passionate around empowerment of patients through transparency of individual’s clinical information. Dr. Bessel earned a B.S. in biology, magna cum laude, from Syracuse University and she attended Rush Medical College in Chicago, Illinois, where she was presented with the James B. Herrick award for most outstanding performance in internal medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Rush- Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago and was honored by continuing for an additional year in the capacity as Chief Resident.
Building High-Performing Teams Through Effective Clinical Supervision
Examine how organizations can elevate clinical supervision from a compliance requirement to a strategic driver of excellence. As work environments are marked by rising acuity, escalating documentation demands, and persistent workforce shortages, clinical supervision can be a lever for strengthening staff performance, improving retention and ensuring high-quality care.
Presenters will explore evidence-based supervision models, coaching techniques, and frameworks for cultivating professional growth and accountability.
Participants will leave with:
- Strategies for enhancing supervisory skills that empower clinicians at every level
- Lessons to transform team culture and ultimately improve outcomes for both staff and patients
- Discussions on how supervisors can support diverse teams, reduce burnout, reinforce treatment models and create safe environments where staff can thrive
Isaac L. Bermudez, MS, BCBA, IBA, LBA-TX
Isaac is the Chief Innovation Officer of Brett DiNovi & Associates (BDA). Isaac has been providing services in applied behavior analysis (ABA) since 1998. He has worked in executive leadership positions in the behavioral health industry since 2007 and uses the principles of organizational behavior management (OBM) to guide the support and growth of organizations. Over the last 18 years, Isaac has led ABA departments, started companies, and has grown organizations over 500% while earning awards for quality of service and employee satisfaction. In addition to Isaac’s primary role at BDA, he is a keynote speaker for state and national conferences as well as has co-authored articles and chapters, most recently in the textbook on Multiculturalism in Applied Behavior Analysis. Isaac is the co-founder of the Latino Association for Behavior Analysis (LABA) as well as a mentorship program called Mentorologist, which has a dedicated Youtube channel that bears the same name. Finally, Isaac is currently a doctoral student in Human Performance Improvement at Capella University.
Chief Executive Officer Networking Luncheon
If you’re the Chief Executive Officer or Executive Director of an OPEN MINDS member organization, join us for this private networking luncheon. This is an opportunity to share leadership experiences and solutions with your peers from across the nation. (To register, contact Erin Deppen, Education Events Manager, at 717-334-1329 or edeppen@openminds.com.)
Monica E. Oss
Monica E. Oss, M.S. is the founder of OPEN MINDS and serves as its chief executive officer, executive editor of its publications and websites, and executive lead of its consulting engagements. For the past three decades, Ms. Oss has led the OPEN MINDS team and its research on health and human service market trends and its national consulting practice. She is well known for her numerous books and articles focused on the strategic and marketing implications of the evolving health and human service field – and its focus on the verticals of the field serving consumers with chronic conditions and complex support needs.
Ms. Oss has extensive experience in developing and implementing growth strategies for a wide array of organizations in the field. She has expertise in industry trend analysis, reimbursement, rate setting, and creating actionable plans for market success. In her role, she has led numerous engagements with state Medicaid plans, county governments, private insurers, and health plans, service provider organizations, technology vendors, neurotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations, and investment banking firms – with a focus on the implications of financing changes on delivery system design.
Prior to founding OPEN MINDS, Ms. Oss served as an executive with a nationally managed behavioral health organization, responsible for market development, actuarial analysis, and capitation-based rate setting. She also held a position as vice president of the U.S. risk management and underwriting division of an international insurance company.
Ms. Oss has been the keynote speaker at the conferences of dozens of national associations and has been published in a wide range of professional journals and trade publications. She has provided Congressional and state legislative testimony on issues as diverse as the financial impact of parity and payer medication access policies.
Ms. Oss has led a range of industry research and consultation initiatives, serving as principal investigator on research projects that include the examination of national managed care enrollment and service patterns, development of provider rate structures for government entities, creation of return-on-investment models for technology investments; design of performance-based compensation models within public and private health plans; and analysis of the economic impact of changes in benefit design, adoption of evidence-based practices, and new technologies.
Michael Allen
Michael Allen brings over 30 years of experience in the non-profit behavioral healthcare industry to the OPEN MINDS team. He currently serves as an Executive Vice President in our consulting practice, where he provides executive oversight and leadership to provider and payer client engagements for OPEN MINDS.
Mr. Allen was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of SummitStone Health Partners, the largest non-profit behavioral health service provider in Larimer County, CO. In this role Mr. Allen was responsible for the planning deployment, communication and accomplishment of SummitStone Health Partners’ overarching corporate strategy. He managed a budget of $80Million and was responsible for more than 750 full time employees and over 12,000 clients annually.
Prior to SummitStone Health Partners, Mr. Allen served as the Vice President of Managed Care & Operations at AspenPointe (now Diversus Health). At AspenPointe he developed and managed a system of accountability for monitoring and evaluating provider performance in seven Colorado counties. He was also responsible for the quality management oversight of all business lines, as well as managing a substance abuse treatment contract with the Colorado Division of Behavioral Health and a child welfare services agreement with El Paso County Department of Human Services.
Previously, Mr. Allen was the Director of Clinical Care for Connect Care, (rebranded as AspenPointe in 2010). In this position Mr. Allen provided supervision to the clinical staff, as well as developing clinical guidelines and services. He was also the project director for the 4th Judicial District Family Reunification Grant and he oversaw care coordination and voucher management functions for Colorado Access to Recovery Grant.
Before Connect Care, Mr. Allen was the Director of Child Welfare Services for Signal Behavioral Health Network, a non-profit that has been managing and expanding substance use prevention, treatment and recovery services in northeast Colorado for over 25 years. Mr. Allen managed a network of Substance Use Disorder treatment providers, programs and services across 35 Colorado counties.
Mr. Allen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Design/Psychology from Brigham Young University, a Masters in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University, and a Masters in Business Administration from Colorado State University. He is a Licensed Social Worker and a Certified Addictions Specialist in Colorado.
CFO Consortium Session
From Reactive To Strategic: Building A Coherent Technology Roadmap For Behavioral Health
In an environment defined by rapid innovation, behavioral health organizations are facing a critical question: are technology decisions being made strategically or simply in response to immediate pressures?
Too often leaders find themselves investing in disconnected solutions that solve short term challenges but fail to support long term goals. This session will explore how forward-thinking organizations are shifting from reactive decision-making to intentional, multi-year technology planning. Learn how to develop a cohesive technology roadmap that aligns with your organization’s strategic priorities, enhances operational efficiency, and supports sustainable growth.
Attendees will gain practical insights on:
- How to evaluate current investments, prioritize initiatives, and avoid costly missteps that come from fragmented approaches
- The frameworks and leadership perspectives needed to ensure your technology strategy becomes a competitive advantage, not a liability
- The technology adoption and strategy questions every executive team should be asking
Michael Allen
Michael Allen brings over 30 years of experience in the non-profit behavioral healthcare industry to the OPEN MINDS team. He currently serves as an Executive Vice President in our consulting practice, where he provides executive oversight and leadership to provider and payer client engagements for OPEN MINDS.
Mr. Allen was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of SummitStone Health Partners, the largest non-profit behavioral health service provider in Larimer County, CO. In this role Mr. Allen was responsible for the planning deployment, communication and accomplishment of SummitStone Health Partners’ overarching corporate strategy. He managed a budget of $80Million and was responsible for more than 750 full time employees and over 12,000 clients annually.
Prior to SummitStone Health Partners, Mr. Allen served as the Vice President of Managed Care & Operations at AspenPointe (now Diversus Health). At AspenPointe he developed and managed a system of accountability for monitoring and evaluating provider performance in seven Colorado counties. He was also responsible for the quality management oversight of all business lines, as well as managing a substance abuse treatment contract with the Colorado Division of Behavioral Health and a child welfare services agreement with El Paso County Department of Human Services.
Previously, Mr. Allen was the Director of Clinical Care for Connect Care, (rebranded as AspenPointe in 2010). In this position Mr. Allen provided supervision to the clinical staff, as well as developing clinical guidelines and services. He was also the project director for the 4th Judicial District Family Reunification Grant and he oversaw care coordination and voucher management functions for Colorado Access to Recovery Grant.
Before Connect Care, Mr. Allen was the Director of Child Welfare Services for Signal Behavioral Health Network, a non-profit that has been managing and expanding substance use prevention, treatment and recovery services in northeast Colorado for over 25 years. Mr. Allen managed a network of Substance Use Disorder treatment providers, programs and services across 35 Colorado counties.
Mr. Allen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Design/Psychology from Brigham Young University, a Masters in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University, and a Masters in Business Administration from Colorado State University. He is a Licensed Social Worker and a Certified Addictions Specialist in Colorado.
Sharon Hicks, MSW, MBA
Sharon Hicks has more than 30 years of experience in the health and human service field. She has extensive experience and wide range of expertise in health plan management, in clinical operations management, and technology.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Hicks spent two decades in a number of executive positions within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) system and within its health plan division. Ms. Hicks served as the Chief Operating Officer for Community Care Behavioral Health, a managed behavioral health organization. She was responsible for all aspects of the organization’s operations including fiscal, information systems, the claims processing department, and the design of clinical systems. In addition Ms. Hicks managed the day-to-day operations of including human resources, facilities, purchasing, and security.
Ms. Hicks also served as the Vice President, Internet Strategy, UPMC Insurance Services Division and, since 2002, as the Chief Executive Officer of Askesis Development Group, Inc. since May of 2002. In this role, Ms. Hicks was responsible for the growth of the company, profitability of the company, and the direction of software development.
Ms. Hick started her impressive health care career as a psychiatric social worker before being promoted to Assistant Director of Social Work. Prior to her executive promotions, Ms. Hicks served as a Clinical Administrator for both Ambulatory Services and Emergency and Intake Services at the UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. In this role, Ms. Hicks managed the behavioral health division, the budgets for all departments, and implemented new software replacing paper billing for clinical services.
Ms. Hicks received both her Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Social Work degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. Before pursuing her graduate education, Ms. Hicks received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
Building Momentum That Lasts: Leadership & Operational Strategies To Advance Better Care
Staying ahead in an uncertain market requires breaking decision paralysis and keeping up momentum for stronger organizational performance and better outcomes. Join Monica E. Oss, Chief Executive Officer of OPEN MINDS, as she discusses how leading organizations are getting ahead by creating a best-in-class consumer experience while streamlining operations. Attendees will gain insights into executive level approaches to leading top clinical teams and providing them with the tools and technology needed for sustainable growth and better care.
Monica E. Oss
Monica E. Oss, M.S. is the founder of OPEN MINDS and serves as its chief executive officer, executive editor of its publications and websites, and executive lead of its consulting engagements. For the past three decades, Ms. Oss has led the OPEN MINDS team and its research on health and human service market trends and its national consulting practice. She is well known for her numerous books and articles focused on the strategic and marketing implications of the evolving health and human service field – and its focus on the verticals of the field serving consumers with chronic conditions and complex support needs.
Ms. Oss has extensive experience in developing and implementing growth strategies for a wide array of organizations in the field. She has expertise in industry trend analysis, reimbursement, rate setting, and creating actionable plans for market success. In her role, she has led numerous engagements with state Medicaid plans, county governments, private insurers, and health plans, service provider organizations, technology vendors, neurotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations, and investment banking firms – with a focus on the implications of financing changes on delivery system design.
Prior to founding OPEN MINDS, Ms. Oss served as an executive with a nationally managed behavioral health organization, responsible for market development, actuarial analysis, and capitation-based rate setting. She also held a position as vice president of the U.S. risk management and underwriting division of an international insurance company.
Ms. Oss has been the keynote speaker at the conferences of dozens of national associations and has been published in a wide range of professional journals and trade publications. She has provided Congressional and state legislative testimony on issues as diverse as the financial impact of parity and payer medication access policies.
Ms. Oss has led a range of industry research and consultation initiatives, serving as principal investigator on research projects that include the examination of national managed care enrollment and service patterns, development of provider rate structures for government entities, creation of return-on-investment models for technology investments; design of performance-based compensation models within public and private health plans; and analysis of the economic impact of changes in benefit design, adoption of evidence-based practices, and new technologies.