FLY-IN: Health Equity
Event Date: 3/5/2025 - 3/6/2025
Event Overview
3/5/2025 - 3/6/2025
Irving, Texas
Participation is limited to Health Plan Alliance members and invited guests

Join your peers in a timely, solutions-focused discussion on the future of health equity as new policies and regulatory shifts reshape the industry. With the latest NCQA health equity standards and CMS final rule requirements, regional health plans face the complex challenge of turning regulatory mandates into actionable, sustainable strategies while navigating resource limitations and operational pressures. You’ll gain valuable insights into the current state of the industry, the key challenges in advancing health equity, and practical ways to meet these emerging directives. Through expert panels, peer discussions, and Q&A opportunities, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how to strengthen your organization’s approach to health equity.
Who Should Attend
Health equity officers, policy advisors and quality improvement leaders won't want to miss this workshop.
Why Attend
- Member Feedback and Case Studies: Discuss member feedback, case studies on integrating health equity into medical policies, and strategies for operationalizing state requirements.
- Interactive Workshops: Focus on building trust and affirmation to improve data collection and manage member concerns, especially for LGBTQA+ individuals.
- Strategic Planning Sessions: Provide actionable strategies for community engagement and incorporating the member’s voice into health equity efforts.
- Case Studies and Success Stories: Highlight successful integrations of health equity into medical policies and accreditation work.
- Implementation Strategies: Focus on strategies for a successful health equity program, emphasizing equity in organizational values and operations.
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Future Sessions and Action Items: Explore policy impacts on health equity, data collection, and workshops, with action items for outreach to consultants and stakeholders.
Agenda
03/05/2025 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM | |
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Welcome & Intros |
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03/05/2025 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | |
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Working Session: New Phase of Advancing Health Equity – Examining Policies and Their Impact on Health Equity This session explores the next phase of advancing health equity by analyzing current policies shaping it. Learn insights on navigating health equity amid evolving political and social dynamics. Through interactive discussions and workshops, attendees will gain practical strategies to enhance health equity initiatives within healthcare organizations. Participants will leave with actionable plans for implementation. Speaker(s): Vanessa Guzman, President & CEO Smart Rise Health Chenny Solaiyappan, Senior Director of Product Management Cognizant
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03/05/2025 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | |
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Dinner at Delucca Gaucho Pizza & Wine |
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03/06/2025 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM | |
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Networking Breakfast Be sure to let us know if you have dietary restrictions. |
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03/06/2025 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM | |
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Let’s Get to Work! What’s on Your Mind? |
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03/06/2025 8:45 AM - 10:45 AM | |
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Data Collection and Member Engagement Role-Playing/Hands-On Practice Workshop This training equips care teams to foster a culture of affirmation, trust, and care for improved SOGI data collection, patient engagement, and data protections. Participants will enhance their knowledge, vocabulary, and relational skills to build trust with SOGI-diverse patients, leading to better health outcomes. Staff will gain confidence in discussing, reviewing, and updating patient demographic data. Designed for all team members involved in SOGI data collection, the program supports both experienced staff and those hesitant due to the political climate. It focuses on improving patient engagement, collecting socioeconomic data—particularly from LGBTQA+ individuals—and ensuring data privacy while promoting inclusivity. Speaker(s): Vanessa Guzman, President & CEO Ruth Harmon, VP Strategy and Operations Smart Rise Health
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03/06/2025 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM | |
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Time to refill your cup and stretch |
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03/06/2025 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | |
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Member Case Studies – Success Stories from the Field A Model for Integrating Health Equity into Medical Policies Speaker: Alanna Welsh, Project Manager Providence Health Plan Health Equity Accreditation Work with Smart Rise Health Speaker: Kayla Salazar Poncet, Director of Health Equity & Quality Community Health Plan of Washington Strategic Approaches to Operationalizing Health Equity State Requirements Speaker(s): Ngoc Bui-Tong, Chief Health Equity and Strategy Officer Mai Chang, Director, Quality and Process Improvement Santa Clara Family Health Plan
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03/06/2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | |
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Networking Lunch |
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03/06/2025 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | |
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Strategic Plan Part I: Ideas for Community Engagement Strategies to Support Your Health Equity Initiatives This session offers actionable strategies to enhance community engagement within health equity initiatives. Participants will explore practical approaches to mobilize resources, foster participatory governance, and engage diverse populations for equitable health outcomes. The session will cover techniques for building trust and collaboration between healthcare providers and community members, as well as methods to integrate the community’s voice into health equity strategies. Speaker: Vanessa Guzman, President & CEO Smart Rise Health
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03/06/2025 2:00 PM - 2:15 PM | |
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Time to refill your cup and stretch |
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03/06/2025 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM | |
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Strategic Plan Part II: Strategies for Integrating the Member's Voice into Your Health Equity Strategy This session explores advanced strategies for integrating members' voices into health equity strategies. Participants will learn to gather and use member feedback to inform policy decisions and improve health outcomes. The discussion will focus on cultural competence, community involvement, and data-driven approaches to understanding the needs of diverse populations. Attendees will gain practical tools to foster inclusive, responsive health equity initiatives. Speaker Vanessa Guzman, President & CEO Smart Rise Health
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03/06/2025 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM | |
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Working Your Plan - Implementing Your Strategies for a Successful Health Equity Program This session provides participants with the tools to embed health equity into their organizations, focusing on designing, implementing, and sustaining equity initiatives. Attendees will explore strategies for fostering inclusive environments, prioritizing equitable outcomes, and engaging diverse perspectives. Key topics include resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement. The session will also highlight how the Community Health Plan of Washington’s "Rapid Response Team" is addressing the impact of the current Administration’s Executive Orders on healthcare initiatives. The session will conclude with actionable takeaways and a plan for ongoing integration. Speaker(s): Vanessa Guzman, President & CEO Smart Rise Health Kayla Salazar Poncet, Director of Health Equity & Quality Community Health Plan of Washington
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Attendees
Below is a list of all delegates registered to date for this event

- Yessica Anguiano
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Member Engagement and Health Equity Senior Specialist at CHRISTUS Health Plan

- Ngoc Bui-Tong
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Chief Health Equity and Strategy Officer at Santa Clara Family Health Plan

- Tamara Caldwell
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Director Medicaid Programs at Baylor Scott and White Health Plan

- Mai Chang
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Director, Quality and Process Improvement at Santa Clara Family Health Plan

- Charlie Clegg
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Business Analyst at CommunityCare

- Sankirtana Danner
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Director of Health and Social Equity at Presbyterian Health Plan

- Jennifer Faries
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Director of Behavioral Health and Health Equity at CommunityCare

- Kimberly Gomes
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Director of Health Plan Corporate Services at CHRISTUS Health Plan

- Elizabeth Gross
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Manager Quality Improvement at CommunityCare

- Brandy Lanns
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Director, Quality Improvement at Baylor Scott and White Health Plan

- Jeanine Ludwig
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- NCQA Accreditation Manager at Select Health

- Tyson M Bain
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Director, Strategic Initiatives at Baylor Scott and White Health Plan

- Katie Martin
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Vice President, Quality at Baylor Scott and White Health Plan

- Tina Nguyen
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Manager Pharmacy Benefits and Services at CHRISTUS Health Plan
- Kayla Poncet
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Director of Health Equity & Quality at Community Health Plan of Washington

- Craig Reich
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Chief Medical Officer at CCHP

- Mariah Santiago
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Health Equity Program Coordinator at Sharp Health Plan

- Christine Stewart
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Sr. Quality Program Manager at Presbyterian Health Plan

- Linnea Tolbert
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Sr. Director, Member Networks at Vizient Inc.

- Erin Vickers
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Health Equity Program Manager at Capital District Physicians' Health Plan (CDPHP)

- Alanna Welsh
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Project Manager at Providence Health Plan

- Dana Workman
- ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Project Manager, Community Engagement at Baylor Scott and White Health Plan

- Allison Ashcraft
- ALLIANCE STAFF
- Operations Specialist at Health Plan Alliance

- Keri Bloomer
- ALLIANCE STAFF
- Director of Operations at Health Plan Alliance

- Dennis Bolin
- ALLIANCE STAFF
- Consultant at Health Plan Alliance

- Jaime Gonzalez
- ALLIANCE STAFF
- Chief Business Development Officer at Health Plan Alliance
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- Yuri Sung
- ALLIANCE STAFF
- Senior Specialist, Program & Strategy at Health Plan Alliance

- Vanessa Guzman
- SPEAKER
- CEO & President at SmartRise Health, LLC

- Ruth Harmon
- SPEAKER
- VP Strategy and Operations at SmartRise Health, LLC

- James Patino
- SPEAKER
- Public Health Researcher at Standford University

- Chenny Solaiyappan
- SPEAKER
- Senior Director of Product Mgmt, Government Solutions at Cognizant