Deborah is an enthusiastic and dedicated professional with experience in the areas of project management, program management, organizational change management, and human service programs. She has held various IT positions within the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Social Serivces, including Director of the Enterprise Solutions Division, Senior Technical Program Manager, Director of Enterprise Change Management, and Software Quality Assurance Manager. Let’s learn a little more about this impressive woman…
You worked at the Virginia Department of Social Services during their Medicaid expansion. What was your role in that project and what was your biggest learning?
The Medicaid Expansion project was a statewide implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expansion rules into the Virginia Case Management System (VaCMS) using a fast-track process and system enhancements. I was the Program Director, responsible for the project team’s development and implementation activities. One of the most important lessons I took away from my work there is that any obstacle (technical or business) can be overcome when all stakeholders work together and remain focused on the ultimate goal of providing medical coverage.
You were also part of the team that began transition plans for moving Virginia from a State-based Exchange on the Federal Platform (SBE-FP) that receives Medicaid applications from the Federal Health Exchange (FHE) to a full State-based Exchange (SBE) state. Can you tell us a little about that?
After retirement from the Virginia Department of Social Services (VA DSS), I became a part-time contractor (IT Program Manager) for the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). During that work, as the subject-matter-expert, I was asked to provide detailed explanations of the Federal Account Transfer process and case management data flow for Medicaid applicants in Virginia. It was a great experience to be a facilitator in helping departments work together to accomplish a common goal.
What attracted you to working at GetInsured?
I read a lot about GetInsured and its record of accomplishment for implementing State-based Exchanges across the country. After speaking directly with several members of the company, I was extremely impressed with how mission driven, kind, and caring each of them were in addition to their knowledge. After 36 years in human services, I have come to value “people first” and being a part of GetInsured gives me that familiar feeling.
How do you feel your time working with the Commonwealth of Virginia will help you in your role at GetInsured?
My desire is to add value by providing my perspective from working with Virginia’s business processes and procedures and apply it to future strategic technology direction for state clients. Virginia has somewhat of a unique technology infrastructure compared to other states and my past experiences of mitigating the challenges will hopefully come in handy when working on Medicaid integrations across multiple states.
Where do you see the greatest opportunities to make an impact at the Company?
Getting more states across the country to know GetInsured. Not only as a technology company but as an innovator. I am excited about the opportunity to work on innovative solutions integrating Medicaid agency systems with exchanges, not only in Virginia but across all our clients.
What do you do in your spare time?
Gardening and home renovation (rebuilding rooms, drywall, electrical, etc.).
What’s one interesting fact about you that not many people know?
I am an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
