Governor Bentley Announces Dr. Nancy Dunlap as Special Advisor to the Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission
By: Blake Deshazo
Updated: November 1, 2012
Governor Bentley Announces Dr. Nancy Dunlap as Special Advisor to the Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission
MONTGOMERY
- Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday announced that Dr. Nancy Dunlap, a
well-known expert in business and health policy, will serve as Special
Advisor to
the newly-established Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission.
Dr.
Dunlap is a professor of medicine and business at the University of
Alabama at Birmingham. She has also served as chief of staff and chief
operating officer for
the Kirklin Clinic in Birmingham.
Dr.
Dunlap is currently completing a 2011-2012 Robert Wood Johnson Health
Policy Fellowship for the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the United
States House of Representatives.
The committee is chaired by Republican Congressman Fred Upton of
Michigan. Dr. Dunlap will also be leading the Alabama Health Policy
Initiative, which is an independent component of the UAB School of
Public Health.
"Dr.
Dunlap is widely respected in the medical and business communities, and
she will be a great asset to the Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission,"
Governor Bentley
said. "She has a thorough understanding of the issues affecting
healthcare in Alabama, and I believe her work as an advisor will benefit
not only this commission, but also all the people of this state."
"The
goal of this commission is to increase efficiency in Medicaid while
also delivering higher-quality care," Governor Bentley added. "Dr.
Dunlap's background and experience
make her uniquely qualified to work with this commission and help
outline improvements and efficiencies that will make the Alabama
Medicaid Agency more sustainable."
"I
am honored to work with Governor Bentley and with members of the
Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission," Dr. Dunlap said. "Together, we
can craft a financially sustainable
Alabama Medicaid program that provides the best possible care for the
most vulnerable citizens."
Governor
Bentley recently established the commission by executive order.
Commission members held their first meeting Thursday afternoon. State
Health Officer Dr. Donald
Williamson is serving as chair of the commission and will work closely
with Dr. Dunlap and commission members in outlining recommendations for
improvement.
"I
have had the privilege and honor of working with Dr. Dunlap on many
issues related to healthcare in Alabama over the years. Her expertise
and knowledge will bring
a great deal of strength to the work of the commission," Dr. Williamson
said. "I am excited to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Dunlap
once again. Dr. Dunlap and the Health Policy Initiative will provide
significant expertise and staffing assistance
to the work of the commission."
The
commission is expected to submit its recommendations for improvements
in Alabama Medicaid to Governor Bentley prior to the 2013 Regular
Session of the Alabama Legislature.
