Three Health Care Leaders Join Quality Institute Board of Directors

They Bring Experience in Quality, Payment, Public Health, and Policy

PRINCETON, New Jersey — April 18, 2024 — The New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute today announced the election of three new members to its Board of Directors, each with a wealth of expertise and a strong commitment to advancing health care safety, quality, and affordability for everyone.

“Our new Board members, who come from different backgrounds, are all well-known and respected throughout the state. Their diverse experiences will help guide the Quality Institute for years to come,” said Linda Schwimmer, President and CEO of the Quality Institute. “We’re excited to welcome these new members to our board.”

The new board members are:

Ashish D. Parikh, M.D., Chief Population Health Officer, VillageMD-Summit Health. Dr. Parikh helps shape population health strategies and has extensive experience in alternative payment models and care coordination. Dr. Parikh is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and is board certified in Internal Medicine. He has been an invaluable resource to the Quality Institute in our initiatives to improve primary care in New Jersey and, especially, in the creation of Primary Care in New Jersey: Findings and Recommendations to Support Advanced Primary Care. Dr. Parikh’s background also includes leadership positions at IBM, RWJ Barnabas Health, and Southern California Permanente Medical Group.

“As a new board member, I’m eager to use my experience as a primary care provider, a leader in value-based care, and a passionate believer in high quality health care for all to support the Quality Institute’s mission,” Dr. Parikh said. “I know we can all work together, with the Quality Institute’s members, to transform health care delivery so it is more accessible and effective for all the residents of New Jersey.”

Andrea Martinez-Mejia, Executive Director of the Greater Newark Health Care Coalition. Martinez-Mejia brings an impressive range of experience in government, public health, crisis management as well as licensing, regulations, and oversight. As the Chief of Staff at the New Jersey Department of Health during the pandemic, she played a pivotal role in outreach efforts related to COVID-19 vaccines and equitable resource distribution. She now leads the Greater Newark Health Care Coalition, a Regional Health Hub, a long-time partner and member of the Quality Institute. Martinez-Mejia also serves on the inaugural board of the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority.

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Quality Institute Board and look forward to collaborating with other Board members, the Quality Institute’s leadership, staff, and members,” Martinez-Mejia said. “I hope that together we will work to find fair and effective solutions that will guarantee all New Jersey residents access to safe, affordable, and high-quality health care throughout their lives.”

John Leyman, Director of State Government Affairs for DaVita Kidney Care. Leyman oversees state public policy, legislative and regulatory activities in the 13 northeastern states and the District Columbia. He is a long-time member of the Quality Institute and Senator Joseph Vitale’s Health Reform Work Group, which for over 15 years has addressed payment and market reforms to increase coverage and access. Leyman’s background in state government, legislative and regulatory affairs, and his deep expertise in policy, as well as his experience in the insurance industry, will provide a critical multi-stakeholder perspective to the Quality Institute Board.

“I consider it both an honor and a privilege to join this esteemed Board, as well as the talented Quality Institute team, to help lead the continual improvement of health care for all of New Jersey,” Leyman said. “I look forward to applying my years of experience in both government and the private sector to make a real difference by strengthening our health care system.”

Board Chair Suzanne Miller, PhD., noted the range of expertise and backgrounds of the new members of the volunteer Board.

“All of us on the Board are excited to welcome Andrea, Ashish, and John to the board,” Dr. Miller said. “We know they bring tremendous talent on quality and payment reforms that we will tap into for improving health care in New Jersey.”

Dr. Parikh, Martinez-Mejia, and Leyman will join a board that includes newer and long-time members. The collective talent and experience of the Quality Institute’s board drives the Quality Institute’s mission and long-term goals to improve the quality, safety, and affordability of health care for everyone.

About the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute

The New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute’s (Quality Institute) mission is to improve the safety, quality, and affordability of health care for everyone. Our membership comes from all stakeholders in health care. Together with our 100 plus members, we are working towards a world where all people receive safe, equitable, and affordable health care and live their healthiest lives.