Kimberly Haddad - Chief of staff, Commonwealth Medicine
Though new to her role as chief of staff at Commonwealth Medicine, Kimberly Haddad is no stranger to the world of public health policy. Having worked as health care policy director with the state's Executive Office for Administration and Finance and as health policy advisor to state Senator Richard T. Moore during the drafting of the 2012 health care cost containment law, Haddad — an attorney with a master's degree in public health — brings perspective to UMass Medical School's health care consulting division that serves government agencies, nonprofits and managed care organizations.
Haddad, who is originally from Worcester and joined Shrewsbury-based Commonwealth Medicine in February, became aquainted with the organizations through professional interactions over the years. “I liked that role (of chief of staff) specifically, because it's such a high vantage point,” she said. “It's an entrepreneurial environment with a (complex) mission.”
In terms of other work she's done in development and cost containment and her work at Commonwealth Medicine, Haddad says there are enough similarities but enough differences, as well. “It's kind of parallel,” she said, “but there's a lot of challenge for me here.” The challenge includes not only working with public and private agencies across the state — as well as in 20 other states and internationally — offering consultations, improving care, controlling costs and maximizing revenue, but also moving the division itself forward.
Haddad's learning curve comes as Commonwealth Medicine looks to ramp up data analytic capacity to help its agencies provide evidence-based solutions, especially as they relate to elders. “We're trying to improve patient care, but there aren't a lot of data analytics to ensure services are effective and cost-effective,” Haddad said. Enter the HCBS Policy Lab, which has been years in the making under the state Office of Elder Affairs, to offer more in-depth analysis for the expected demand of a burgeoning elderly population with tools such as advanced software.
Settling into a workplace such at Commonwealth Medicine is a bit more involved than most, Haddad said. “What makes us so complex is that we have our hands in so many parts of the (sector),” including health and human services, she said, starting programs, providing research support, helping with business models, mentoring, improving star ratings and enhancing relationships with other research institutions, among other efforts.
But Haddad, who earned law and public health degrees at Northeastern University and Tufts University School of Medicine, says she is up for the challenge and putting her skills where they can benefit the most.
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