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CHRT welcomes 2025 Health Policy Fellowship cohort

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The Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT) is pleased to announce the 2025 cohort of its Health Policy Fellowship. This year’s fellows represent a diverse group of health researchers, policymakers, and nonprofit leaders who are committed to improving health policy and practice in Michigan and beyond.

Since its inception, the CHRT Health Policy Fellowship has provided professionals from varied backgrounds with the knowledge and skills to engage effectively in health policy. Fellows participate in an immersive learning experience that includes expert-led sessions on health policy fundamentals, legislative processes, and strategies for translating research into policy impact. The program also fosters cross-sector collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and nonprofit professionals.

The 2025 fellowship cohort includes:

Health Researchers:

  • Debbie Chen, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine
  • Julie Maslowsky, PhD – Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of Michigan
  • Megan Faucett, MSHS, MLS – Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University
  • Minal Patel, PhD – Professor, School of Public Health, University of Michigan
  • Sean McCabe, MA, MSW, PhD – Professor, School of Nursing, University of Michigan
  • Tiffany Veinot, PhD, FACMI – Professor, School of Information, University of Michigan

Policy Professionals:

  • Adam Hagedorn, BA – Legislative Director, House (R) Policy
  • Connor Loftus, BS – Policy Advisor, Senate Majority Office (D)
  • Houda Fawaz, BA, BBA – Special Project Manager, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  • Lenise Freeman, BA – Government Relations and Public Policy Fellow, Michigan Health and Hospital Association
  • Mindy Fernandes, BS, CAE – Legislative Director, House (R)

Nonprofit Leaders:

  • Andrea LaFontaine, MPA – Executive Director, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance
  • Daniel Schoonmaker, BS – Executive Director, MI Sustainable Business Forum
  • Kelly Ainsworth, BA, CHES – Project Director for Mental Health, Greater Flint Health Coalition
  • Stephanie Hall, MSW – Assistant Director of Planning/Advocacy, AgeWays Senior Services
  • Taryn Gal, MPH, CPH, MCHES – Executive Director, Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health

This year’s fellowship program is made possible through the generous support of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, Wayne State University, the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, and Michigan Medicine. Their contributions ensure that fellows have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of health policy and enhance their ability to drive meaningful change in their fields.

Congratulations to the 2025 cohort! We look forward to seeing the impact of their work in Michigan’s health policy landscape and beyond.

CHRT Launches Five New Projects in Mental Health, Community Violence, and more

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The Center for Health & Research Transformation (CHRT) is pleased to announce five new projects aimed at improving health outcomes and addressing social determinants of health across Michigan communities.​

Aligning Medicaid Beneficiary Needs with Mental Health Service Delivery Standards

In collaboration with Network 180 and the Lakeshore Regional Entity, CHRT will analyze Medicaid data to better align beneficiary needs with service delivery standards for applied behavior analysis services and community living supports. This initiative seeks to enhance service efficiency and effectiveness for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Evaluating and Sustaining Peer Support Groups for Mothers in Detroit

Partnering with Children of the Rising Sun, CHRT will evaluate the “Mom Circles” program—a peer-to-peer support group for mothers of young children. The project aims to assess the program’s impact on maternal and child health outcomes and develop strategies for its sustainability and expansion within Detroit communities.

Evaluation of the Community Violence Intervention Initiative

CHRT will assess the implementation and impact of Washtenaw County’s “Life is Valuable Everyday” (WeLIVE) program, a community violence intervention initiative that combines hospital-based intervention with street outreach. The evaluation will provide insights to enhance program effectiveness and reduce retaliatory violence in the community.

Developing a Social Determinants of Health Strategic Plan

In partnership with the Berrien County Health Department, CHRT will conduct qualitative research and stakeholder engagement to inform the county’s Community Health Improvement Plan. The focus will be on addressing transportation, housing, and social cohesion to improve health equity and quality of life for residents.

Combating Misinformation in the Public Health Sphere

Collaborating with The Public Good Projects and the Michigan Association for Local Public Health, CHRT will conduct qualitative research to evaluate the effectiveness of health messaging strategies. The goal is to identify barriers and opportunities for improving public health communication and counteracting misinformation, particularly in historically marginalized communities.

These initiatives reflect CHRT’s commitment to fostering healthier communities through research, evaluation, and strategic partnerships.

CHRT welcomes new board member, bids farewell to departing leaders

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Todd Anderson

The Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT) is pleased to welcome Todd Anderson to our board of directors. Anderson is market president of Blue Cross Complete of Michigan, responsible for the general oversight of the plan’s day-to-day operations including medical affairs, quality, provider network management, communications and marketing, and community outreach.

Before joining Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Anderson spent more than a decade serving in various leadership roles at the Michigan House of Representatives. 

At the same time, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Lynda Rossi and Dr. Renu Tipirneni for their years of dedicated service.

Rossi, who has recently retired, has been a valued voice on CHRT’s board since the organization’s inception, offering strategic guidance and deep expertise in healthcare policy and operations.

Tipirneni, whose three-year term has just ended, has contribued a wealth of knowledge as a physician and researcher, helping to shape CHRT’s work in health equity and system improvement.

We are grateful for their many contributions and look forward to hearing about their next endeavors. 

CHRT begins three new projects and extends two

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Doctor helps elderly man walk with a walker
Doctor helps elderly man walk with a walker

This fall, CHRT is excited to begin three new projects and extend two existing projects.

Evaluating and sustaining peer support groups for mothers in Detroit

CHRT will assist the Children of the Rising Sun in evaluating their pilot program of a peer support circle for mothers in Detroit.

Synthesizing learnings for the Community routes: Advancing access to mental health care learning summit

CHRT will gather and summarize learnings from Direct Relief’s annual learning summit, which brings together healthcare providers that create innovative approaches to address infectious disease in underserved communities.

Enhancing the POM Accountable Care Organization’s performance in the Medicare Shared Savings Program

CHRT will provide tailored recommendations to aid in the short and long-term sustainability planning efforts of the Physician Organization of Michigan Accountable Care Organization’s (POM ACO) leadership team.

Extending the project to promote social, behavioral, and economic research on COVID-19

CHRT will continue to support the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) by providing annual meeting reports and policy briefs.

Beginning phase II of health education opportunities for Michigan legislators and legislative staff

CHRT will continue to support legislators and their staff with primers, round-table discussions, and more.

CHRT Health Policy Fellowship: Now accepting applications for 2025

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Fellows in a circle learning from each other
Fellows in a circle learning from each other

Since its inception, the CHRT Health Policy Fellowship has been dedicated to cultivating the next generation of health policy leaders. Launched in 2012, the fellowship provides hands-on experience, mentorship, and skill-building opportunities that equip professionals from diverse fields to impact policy decisions at local, state, and national levels. With a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, the program connects fellows to experts and policymakers across Michigan and beyond.

The fellowship is ideal for individuals who are involved in shaping or influencing health policy, or who wish to become involved. Specifically, CHRT seeks applicants from three key sectors: policymakers, researchers, and nonprofit leaders. 

  • Policymakers who participate in the program gain a more robust understanding of the nuances of healthcare systems and evidence-based practices. 
  • Researchers learn how and where their findings can be applied. 
  • Nonprofit leaders, meanwhile, develop the strategic insight needed to guide their organizations toward evidence-based practices within an ever-evolving policy environment. 

Each fellow benefits from the cross-sector exchange of ideas, broadening their perspectives and building networks that can drive meaningful change long after the fellowship ends.

Hear from allumnus Romesh Nailliah
Hear from alumna Michelle Meade

During the fellowship, participants attend seminars led by experts in health policy, participate in site visits to key health organizations, and collaborate with their cohort on policy projects. This immersive approach enables fellows to apply their new knowledge in real-world scenarios, directly influencing the health policy landscape.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this opportunity, we encourage you to spread the word. The fellowship is a significant step for those looking to make a lasting impact in health policy, and thus in the health of our communities overall.

For more information and to apply for the upcoming class, contact Holly Quivera Teague at [email protected] 

Meet CHRT’s 2024 3 New Interns: Lauren Hunter, August James, and Claire Stubbs

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Meet CHRT’s 2024 3 New Interns: Lauren Hunter, August James, and Claire Stubbs
Meet CHRT’s 2024 3 New Interns: Lauren Hunter, August James, and Claire Stubbs

We are pleased to welcome Lauren Hunter, August James, and Claire Stubbs to CHRT’s 2024 internship program.

Lauren Hunter is a health and social equity intern, currently pursuing a master’s in social work at the University of Michigan, specializing in community change. With five years of experience in grant management, human resources, and teaching English as a second language, Lauren has worked extensively with immigrant communities and individuals facing chronic homelessness. She aims to transition into nonprofit management after graduating in August 2025.

August James joins CHRT as an evaluation associate while studying information at the University of Michigan, with a focus on UX research and design. August is passionate about applying design thinking to create solutions that foster community engagement and well-being. She holds a psychology degree from Michigan State University and enjoys photography and outdoor adventures in her spare time.

Claire Stubbs is a health and social equity intern, pursuing her master’s in social work at the University of Michigan, with a focus on older adults and aging. As a case manager at the City of Detroit Community Health Corporation, Claire has spent the past two years helping Detroit residents navigate complex social services. She’s especially dedicated to advocating for the elderly population.

We’re excited to see how Lauren, August, and Claire will contribute to CHRT’s projects and initiatives.

Q&A with CHRT Health Policy Fellowship alumna Michelle Meade

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Michelle Meade
Michelle Meade

Michelle Meade is a professor at the University of Michigan’s Department of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Family Medicine. A rehabilitation psychologist by training, she also serves as the director of the University of Michigan Center for Disability Health and Wellness. We recently sat down with her to discuss her time as a CHRT Health Policy Fellow and how it has shaped her career and perspective on policymaking.

What led you to join the Health Policy Fellowship?

“I first became interested in the fellowship after hearing one of CHRT’s staff speak. The first time I applied for the fellowship I was not accepted, but the interaction led to valuable conversations and collaborations, which eventually culminated in a five-year, $900,000 grant that the CHRT team and I used to explore policy issues, particularly the impact of the Affordable Care Act on healthcare access for people with physical disabilities.”

How has the fellowship impacted your career?

“I joined the fellowship in the 2020 class. My class was the first to be impacted by COVID-19, and I had the opportunity to witness a CHRT colleague become a key advisor to the Michigan governor’s office on COVID-19 policy. Although some of our trips to Lansing, Detroit, and Washington, D.C., were delayed due to the pandemic, the fellowship significantly broadened my understanding of policy and how it intersects with research. 

One of the key takeaways was learning how to translate academic research into policy briefs or clear, concise summaries that policymakers can use. Before I joined the fellowship, I remember being asked to submit a Congressional briefing, and initially, I prepared a 50-page document. I received the feedback “Can you make this two pages?” and I was shocked. It wasn’t until the fellowship that I truly grasped how different the policy world is from academia. They want straightforward, clear statements, not the in-depth academic back-and-forth we’re used to.

This understanding of policy translation has become integral to my work. We now incorporate policy briefs into our research projects and think critically about how to present information in a way that can be picked up by advocacy groups, healthcare organizations, or government entities. The fellowship also helped me understand the importance of networking—knowing who the key players are and how to interact with them is essential for driving change.”

Why do you think it’s important for academics to understand policymaking?

“Academics have the opportunity—and, I believe, the responsibility—to make an impact beyond publishing papers. Our research participants are not just subjects. They are part of something larger. They’re contributing their time and experiences to research that should ultimately make a difference in people’s lives. To make that happen, it’s crucial to understand the policy landscape. Whether it’s clinical interventions or programmatic research, you need funding and support to implement the changes you identify.

The fellowship taught me that our research can only be impactful if it reaches the right people in the right way. Academics need to understand how to translate complex research findings into practical, actionable information for policymakers. It’s not just about gathering evidence—it’s about making sure that evidence is communicated in a way that influences decision-making at local, state, and national levels.”

What are you working on now in your career?

“My work continues to focus on the intersection of disability, healthcare disparities, and social determinants of health. Clinically, I specialize in rehabilitation psychology, working with individuals with spinal cord injuries. My research, however, has expanded beyond spinal cord injury to explore how personal factors, impairment-related factors, and environmental factors interact to influence health outcomes.

One of the most pressing issues I’m exploring is the disproportionate burden that ableism and racism place on individuals with disabilities, particularly in healthcare. The fellowship itself was one of the experiences that deeply influenced how I think about health equity and policy.”

For more information and to apply:

CHRT begins new projects on legislative education, autism diagnosis, and mobility accessibility

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A photo showing the room where Michigan's legislators meet in Lansing.

The Center for Health & Research Transformation (CHRT) is pleased to announce three new projects:

Health education for Michigan legislators and legislative staff

Due to the substantial turnover and subsequent loss of subject matter expertise in health issues in both the state House and Senate each election cycle, there is a need to support of both legislators and their staff. CHRT will provide one-pagers on policy-relevant health topics and their impact on the people of Michigan and will participate in legislative education fora to share and discuss with state leaders.

Early diagnosis of autism in Michigan

Earlier diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will allow patients to access services and resources sooner. CHRT will work with the Autism Alliance of Michigan on a plan to reduce disparities in diagnosis timing and enable earlier diagnosis in Michigan. 

Mobility accessibility in Washtenaw County

CHRT will work with Feonix Mobility Rising to create a Transportation Assistance Hub and Transportation Task Force in Washtenaw County, MI. This project aims to remove barriers to transportation access for community members.

A Q&A with CHRT Health Policy Fellowship alumnus Romesh Nalliah

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Photo of Romesh Nalliah wearing a blue jacket, pink oxford, and pink and blue tie.

In 2018, Romesh Nalliah participated in CHRT’s Health Policy Fellowship. Now the associate dean for patient services and clinical professor of dentistry at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Romesh spoke with us about what he’s working on now–a number of equity initiatives–and how the fellowship training impacted his career.

Photo of Romesh Nalliah wearing a blue jacket, pink oxford, and pink and blue tie.

What are you working on now?

Leading up to 2020, my research was focused on the link between hospital outcomes and dental outcomes. But after the murder of George Floyd, I started to reflect on how all of the studies I saw showed that Black Americans have worse outcomes. I started thinking that I should study how race affects oral health. 

A couple of years ago I did a study looking at nationwide CDC data, and found that there has been a consistent gap between Black Americans and all other Americans in regards to oral health for the last 15 years. In fact, outcomes for Black Americans in 2014 are comparable to outcomes for white Americans in 1999. 

Another recent study we did found that, in the last 20 years, there has been no significant change in the proportion of Black students admitted to dental school. A few months after we published that study, a study came out showing similar results for medical schools.

Thanks to my time at CHRT in 2018, I also began to advocate for an improvement in adult dental Medicaid. After many meetings in Lansing by my group and many others, on January 1st of 2023 we saw a huge change in the reimbursement rate. 

Michigan had one of our nation’s worst adult dental reimbursement rates, and now it’s one of the best. There’s still advocacy work to do however, since our state has not attached any outcome measures to the increased rates, which means sustainability through budgetary cycles could be fragile unless we can change that.

What would you say makes this work important?

There are so many ways that oral health affects overall health, with dozens and dozens of studies supporting the association. Famously, there are associations between diabetes and oral health as well as between cardiovascular disease and oral health. However, not everyone knows that oral health is also associated with preterm birth and low birth weight. Additionally, we’ve done a study looking at stem cell transplants, and found a six day longer length of stay for patients who had concurrent periodontal disease. In fact, we found there was $85,000 in additional hospital charges, and a higher reinfection rate. We’ve done other studies with similar findings too. The mouth is part of the human body. So when there’s uncontrolled infection in the mouth, it affects outcomes in other surgical procedures.

How was your fellowship experience?

I participated in the fellowship in 2018, but for me the seeds were planted a decade earlier. Like many young researchers, I was excited to get published or do presentations. We were doing all these publications and presentations, and everyone was patting us on the back, and then one day I was presenting and two women stood up and said they wanted to thank our group because they used several of our papers to change legislation in their state. And I thought to myself, “Oh my goodness, they’ve done so much more than we’ve done with this data.”

Ten years later when I moved to Mighican and encountered CHRT, I thought it seemed like a great opportunity to learn. Because of CHRT, I now see the publication as the start of the process, and not the end. It’s just as important to get your findings in front of people that make a difference, like legislators and health policy advisors. That’s been a complete reframing for me.

I’ve interacted with legislators significantly more often since my time at CHRT, and because I’m in Michigan, I often ask CHRT for help. CHRT has also connected me with people who have changed the course of my research, including guiding me to more research on opioid over-prescribing in dental care.

The connection to the policy fellows was especially significant. Every time I go to Lansing, I try to meet up with as many of the policy fellows as possible – I continue to learn so much from them. They are sacrificing so much for their work, and they have such a passion and dedication. It’s very similar to researchers actually.

What are your plans for the future?

The fellowship has made me look at research in a different way. Now, I feel an urgency to publish a paper so we can move on to the real work, which is how does this affect the way that we practice dentistry?

Now, as the associate dean for patient services, my goal is to take some of what I’ve learned about quality and patient safety in hospital settings and apply them to everyday dentistry.

My dream is to reduce the operational separation between medical and dental. As an example, when my wife and I had our first baby I was shocked that, in all the prenatal appointments, there was not one conversation about oral health. Yet there’s 15 years of research about how oral health affects birth weight and preterm birth. One thing I’d love to see is a referral to a dentist as soon as someone begins their journey in starting a family. 

And it’s similar for cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. All these medical specialties should be requiring a trip to the dentist. It’s complex right now, because dentists are not co-located with hospitals and there are different insurance pathways, but that should not stop us from doing the right thing. I would like physicians to think about ensuring that conditions in the mouth are stable when they’re trying to address a systemic complaint.

For more information and to apply:

Announcing the 2024 Health Policy Fellowship cohort  

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Instructor speaking to a class of fellowship students

We are pleased to announce our 2024 Health Policy Fellowship cohort. 

More than 125 health researchers, policymakers, and nonprofit leaders have completed the fellowship since its launch in 2012. Many fellowship alumni occupy influential roles as policymakers and leaders across Michigan. 

The 2024 fellowship cohort will include:

  • Chelsea Alcock, Legislative Assistant, 52nd District, Michigan House of Representatives
  • Dr. Frank Conyers, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Michigan Medicine 
  • Samantha Cornell, Director of Community Based Services, Access Health
  • Elizabeth Crenshaw, Director of District and Constituent Services, 7th District, Michigan Senate 
  • Jennifer Day, Community Building Manager, Michigan Breastfeeding Network
  • Thye Fischman, Manager of Government Relations,  Department of Government Relations, Michigan Medicine
  • Morgan Foreman, Director of Constituent Services, 33rd District, Michigan House of Representatives
  • Shannon Jackson, Program Manager, Residents in Action
  • Stephen Jackson, Policy Advisor, Michigan Senate Democrats
  • Dr. Patrick Johnson, Resident, Department of General Surgery, Michigan Medicine 
  • Dr. Beth Kuzma, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Michigan Medicine 
  • Kristina Leonardi, Director of Aging and Community Services Division, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  • Kelsey Ostergren, Director of Health Policy Initiatives, Michigan Health and Hospital Association
  • Beverly Ryskamp, Chief Operating Officer, Network 180

The program is an immersive four-month experience that brings together a diverse group of professionals to foster collaboration among policymakers, researchers, and nonprofit professionals. 

“The CHRT Fellowship enhanced my ability to think about policy—from the formulation of the research questions to the translation of the research findings to inform policy in real- time,” says Dr. Renuka Tipirneni, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School and Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation. “I valued going through the experience with an incredible cohort of both policymakers and researchers. This inter-sectoral peer mentorship enhanced my training and helped me build connections that I hope will last for my entire career.”

The 2024 cohort of Health Policy Fellows will engage in interactive workshops and learning sessions in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Lansing, and Washington, DC. These sessions are designed to provide fellows with opportunities to gain insights into local, state, and federal health policy landscapes. Orientation briefings will cover essential topics such as the legislative process, Michigan state government structure, strategies to effectively communicate with legislators, and the challenges in building sustainability for nonprofit organizations.

For further information about the CHRT Health Policy Fellowship and to apply for the 2025  cohort, please contact Holly Quivera Teague, Fellowship Program Manager, at [email protected].

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CHRT is grateful for the generous support of our 2024 fellowship sponsors: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, Michigan Medicine, and the Michigan State Medical Society.