How Social Determinants Of Health Are Shaping Health Plan Strategies For Whole Person Care

Sharon Hicks, MBA, MSW, Senior Associate, OPEN MINDS*

Sharon Hicks, MBA, MSW, has more than 35 years of experience in the health and human service field. During that time, she performed a variety of functions, primarily in the public sector mental health market. Her background includes direct care, hospital administration, program administration, health plan management and technology strategy. A recognized thought leader among her peers, Ms. Hicks is a regular keynote speaker at industry conferences and association meetings, as well as an author of hundreds of articles and resources for professionals in both clinical and executive roles.

During her time at OPEN MINDS, Ms. Hicks has served as the interim Chief Information Officer for Community Behavioral Health (CBH), a managed care organization overseeing the Behavioral HealthChoices benefit for all the Medicaid-eligible individuals in Philadelphia County. During this period, the Commonwealth migrated its existing substance use disorder standards and definitions to align with those from the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). This included new provider roles and new service models. Ms. Hicks was part of the project team at CBH that helped reclassify all the DDAP-licensed providers into the new ASAM categories.

Ms. Hicks received both her Master of Business Administration and Master of Social Work degrees from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before pursuing her graduate education, Ms. Hicks received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Point Park College, Pittsburgh, PA.

Margaret Mays, Ph.D., Senior Associate, OPEN MINDS*

Margaret Mays brings over 20 years of health care industry experience to the OPEN MINDS team. Ms. Mays currently serves as a Senior Associate at OPEN MINDS. Her areas of expertise include health plan contracting and reimbursement, quality program design and metrics-based programs, training development, health care processing systems, policy development, and accreditation/regulatory requirements.

Prior to joining the OPEN MINDS team, Dr. Mays served as the Vice President, Staff Accreditation, at Beacon Health Options.

Dr. Mays received a Doctor of Health Sciences from A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. She holds a Master’s degree in Health Administration from the University of Washington. She previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Administration from the University of Alabama.

Madeline Shurtleff, Managed Market Liaison, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc*

Dr. Shurtleff has extensive knowledge in Medicaid and Medicare pharmacy operations and regulatory requirements. Dr. Shurtleff received her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), Business Minor, and Leadership Minor from the University of Rhode Island. She is a licensed pharmacist in Illinois and Arizona.

Speakers Disclaimer:

*Margaret Mays and Sharon Hicks are paid consultants of Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. (OAPI). Madeline Shurtleff is an employee of OAPI.