For more information, please contact Julie Pedretti at (414) 266-5420 or (866) 416-1511
MILWAUKEE – Veronica Gunn, MD, MPH, FAAP, has been promoted to vice president of Population Health Management of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, effective Aug. 1. Children’s has created the new division, Population Health Management and Payment Innovation, to focus efforts to improve the health of children, lower the cost of care, develop new payment models and enhance the patient and client experience. In addition, Sara Steines, MPP, has been promoted to director of Population Health Management.
“To deliver higher quality care and better health outcomes at a lower cost – called the Triple Aim by the Institute of Health care Improvement – Children’s must develop a system of care with one goal: to keep children healthy,” said Peggy Troy, president and CEO of Children’s.
The new division will serve as a center for research and development of best-practice programs, services and resources to prevent illness, improve wellness and manage health needs of unique populations over time. In addition, the team will develop and test new payment models that support a population-based approach. Over time, the models will be transitioned into Children’s systems to fully achieve the Triple Aim.
“We know Children’s has to change the way it does business to remain an independent leader in health care,” said Troy. “Dr. Gunn’s leadership role is critical to helping Children’s aggressively seek innovative ways to transform our care and reimbursement models. By innovating care delivery models within the Medicaid and commercial payer systems, we are working to be part of the solution to health care costs facing our nation.”
About Dr. Veronica Gunn: Before joining Children’s as chief medical officer of Community Services in January 2011, Dr. Gunn was chief medical officer for the Tennessee Department of Health. She also was medical director for the Tennessee Governor’s Office of Children’s Care Coordination. Dr. Gunn has a Bachelor of Science from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., a Medical Degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville and a Masters of Public Health from John Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health in Baltimore. She and her husband and son live in Whitefish Bay, Wis.
About Sara Steines: Since 2011, Steines has served as senior advisor on Health Reform to the Children’s Hospital. Prior to joining Children’s Hospital, she served as health policy advisor to former Senator Russell Feingold (D-WI) in Washington, DC. There, she advised Senator Feingold on all health legislation. Steines began her career in health policy at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, where she served as legislative aide on state health policy. She earned an undergraduate degree in English at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va., and her master’s degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Steines resides in Milwaukee.
About Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is the region’s only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. The hospital, with locations in Milwaukee and Neenah, Wis., is recognized as one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the United States. Children’s Hospital provides primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. In 2010, Children’s Hospital invested more than $105 million in the community to improve the health status of children through medical care, advocacy, education and pediatric medical research. Children’s Hospital achieves its mission in part through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations and is proud to be a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. For more information, visit the website at chw.org .
