Qualidigm Announces Promotions within New Management Structure; Continuously Grows Top Talent
ROCKY HILL, Conn. (Dec. 27, 2011) – Qualdigm, the healthcare consulting and research organization in Rocky Hill has promoted several long-tenured and highly-experienced employees to new leadership roles as the company realigns its management structure to build competitive advantage and anticipate future customer needs.
In making the announcement, Qualidigm CEO Marcia K. Petrillo acknowledged Qualidigm’s continuous growth and consistently high employee retention rates. In 2008, the Hartford Business Journal named Qualidigm a “Best Place to Work.”
To enhance customer satisfaction and consistency, Petrillo said, “We are going to bring the responsibility for the implementation of all contracts under one position, the newly-created position of vice president for Operations to be held by Ann Spenard.”
Ann Spenard, MSN, RN, BC, WCC
Spenard has 23 years of experience as a long-term care and geriatrics specialist, surveying for the Joint Commission for seven years in both hospital and long-term care settings. She joined Qualidigm in 2005 having formerly served as a consultant there while she was president of Healthcare Consultation & Educational Resources, a company she founded. Most recently, Spenard was Qualidigm’s director of Business Development. During her tenure at Qualidigm, Spenard has worked on national initiatives related to MDS 2.0 as the senior clinician of the DAVE2 validation project under Abt Associates. She currently works with RTI International to help write, update and educate nationally on the MDS 3.0, the nationally-required assessment tool in skilled nursing facilities. This tool is used for public reporting, reimbursement for Medicare and Medicaid in some states, and to facilitate a resident’s plan of care.
Anne Elwell, RN, MPH, CPEHR
Petrillo also named Anne Elwell as Qualidigm’s vice president for Community Relations, also a newly-created leadership position. Elwell has worked for Qualidigm since 1988 and has close to 25 years of experience in Health Care. As director of Qualidigm’s Quality Improvement Consulting Services, most recently Elwell helped Qualidigm lead and launch “Communities of Care” by convening 150 voluntary health care practitioners and professionals in 12 communities across the state to help reduce hospital readmission for patients with heart failure. They work collaboratively to improve communication and standardize processes to ensure a safe transition for patients as they traverse the health care continuum. In her new leadership role, Elwell will continue to develop Communities of Care, oversee Qualidigm’s marketing communications, special events planning and business development.
Joanne Draper, BS
Joanne Draper has been named vice president of Human Resources. Draper has headed Qualdigm’s Human Resources Department for almost 10 years. “She is a valued and trusted advisor to Qualidigm’s growing staff and embodies the organization’s commitment to hire, cultivate and retain top talent,” Petrillo said. “
Michelle Pandolfi, MSW, LNHA, and Michele Kelvey-Albert, MPH, CHES, CPEHR
Qualidigm managers since 2003 and 2000 respectively, Michelle Pandolfi and Michele Kelvey-Albert have both been promoted to directors of Consulting Services. Pandolfi, who recently served as manager of Long-Term Care Consulting Services, will be responsible for directing diverse Qualidigm contracts, including TeamSTEPPS® focused on patient safety, work with the University of Massachusetts, Abt Associates and others.
Kelvey-Albert will also be accountable for directing signature Qualidigm initiatives, including working with physicians striving to integrate new technologies into their practices and a breakthrough webinar series to assist primary care practices to achieve Patient-Centered Medical Home status. For the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) contract held by Qualidigm, Kelvey-Albert will also be responsible for managing initiatives in the ambulatory care setting focused on physician offices.
These leadership positions will be effective immediately and all three vice presidents will serve as members of Qualidigm’s Executive Council.
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