Beneficiaries who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid are referred to as “dually eligible.” The number of these members is increasing, and as health plans serve more dual-eligible members, they are challenged to find innovative ways to serve this population and address their unique needs. The Needs of Dual Eligible Many dual eligible have … Read more
During COVID-19, we have seen a dramatic rise in the use of telehealth. While rushed into use to reduce the spread of the virus, especially to at-risk individuals, it is likely that telehealth will be here to stay, even post-pandemic. When the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services responded to the pandemic with their guidance … Read more
Chronic diseases are ongoing, generally incurable illnesses or conditions, such as heart disease, asthma, cancer, and diabetes. And in the United States, we have a growing problem with them. Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the US. It is estimated by 2025, nearly half of all Americans will struggle with … Read more
The United States has a much higher rate of chronic disease compared to other developed countries, according to The Commonwealth Fund. In fact, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 6 in 10 Americans have a chronic disease, and those conditions are the primary contributor to the nation’s $3.5 trillion in annual … Read more
In response to COVID-19, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) offered rule flexibility and expanded payment for telehealth services so providers could continue to deliver care to their patients without the risk of exposing them to the virus at the root of the global pandemic. Those changes resulted in an astonishing increase in … Read more
Julie Graves, MD, MPH, PhD studied in the Rice Kinesiology Department when it was called Health and Physical Education, graduating with a double major, along with Biology, in 1979. She played intramural softball and racquetball, was on the Brown Beer-Bike and powderpuff football teams, and worked in the University’s sports information office.
Dr. Graves earned her medical degree from The University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas and graduate degrees from the University of Texas School of Public Health. Board certified in family medicine, she has worked in academic medicine, private practice, and government agencies. She served as medical consultant to the Texas HealthSteps (preventive care for children), Children with Special Health Care needs, and Infectious Diseases Epidemiology and Surveillance programs, as medical services coordinator for the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services’ State Supported Living Centers, and as consultant to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Dr. Graves has published in major medical journals and textbooks and has lectured to medical students, nurses, physicians, and health policy makers across the country. She has served as a monitor and investigator for the Texas Medical Board. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, recipient of the C. Frank Webber Award for Excellence in Oncology from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, and a member of the American Public Health Association’s Science Board. In 2014 Dr. Graves was visiting professor at the Tanzania Training Center for International Health and taught public health and behavioral medicine to medical students on St. Maarten in the Dutch Caribbean.
After 20 years away, she returned to Houston in early 2015 to take on the role of Regional Medical Director for the 6/5 South region of the Texas Department of State Health Services, where she is responsible for the planning, developing, organizing, and directing of regional public health activities. Dr. Graves is also responsible for liaison with local health departments, healthcare delivery systems, health academia, and public officials in the region, and for providing public health and medical consultation in support of the Department of State Health Services.
Dr. Graves is an avid scuba diver and hiker, enjoys cheering on the Owls and Brown College at sporting events, and is a member of the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Steven Williams is a highly accomplished IT and cybersecurity executive with over three decades of leadership experience across diverse industries, including pharmaceuticals, finance, insurance, manufacturing, healthcare, and telecommunications. With a career that spans multiple C-suite roles, including full-time, interim, and virtual CIO, Steven is recognized for his ability to drive transformative IT strategies that align with business objectives and foster innovation.
Steven’s expertise lies in orchestrating large-scale digital transformations, managing technology integration for mergers and acquisitions, and modernizing infrastructure for global organizations. He has successfully built IT organizations from the ground up, revamped underperforming departments into strategic partners, and led cyber risk management initiatives to safeguard complex IT and OT environments. His work includes designing and implementing global cybersecurity frameworks that span over 100 sites and 60,000 users, as well as conducting cybersecurity risk assessments for leading pharmaceuticals laboratories.
Known for his strategic vision, Steven has advised CEOs, CIOs, CISOs, and business leaders on aligning technology with business growth, addressing cyber gaps, and creating long-term digital roadmaps. His accomplishments also include leading service-oriented cloud computing strategies, enhancing network security, and optimizing IT performance for major corporations.
Steven has help leadership positions with companies live Abbvie, Abbot, VMware, Deloitte Consulting, and Merrill Lynch. His educational background includes a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science, complemented by ITIL certification. Whether advising on cybersecurity risk or driving technology innovations, Steven excels at translating complex IT challenges into tangible business value, making him a trusted leader in the evolving digital landscape.
Byron Dennis began his career on a rare path among other sales and marketing executives. Having earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Clark Atlanta University and finishing his course work for his Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at Howard University, he accepted his first position with The Packard Electric Div. of General Motors Corporation. There he gained extensive plant operations experience and earned a promotion to plant capital expenditures manager. Identified for the general management program, Byron was intrigued by the “world” of business management. Thus, he obtained his MBA in Marketing.
His technical education and experience have honed his analytical skills, which he has used to help build brands and drive business growth. In 2008, Byron launched Best Foot Forward Sales Inc. enabling a return to his grassroots: operations and business management, as a marketing and business consultant to developing companies and practices—a natural fit.
In 2014, Byron Dennis approached Rich about starting a new business in healthcare that they could build from the ground up. The healthcare division of Best Foot Forward was created to support health insurance providers in locating, educating, and engaging with the significant number of members who they were unable to engage. The success of the business has been substantial.
Byron lives in Fort Lauderdale with his wife, Lucrecia and son (Devin). Their daughter (Samara) is a freshman on the Lady Razorback basketball team at the University of Arkansas. When not working, Byron enjoys boating, and skiing and is a committable golf nut.
Rich began his career in healthcare as a Medical Technologist after receiving his bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Illinois. With a goal of merging science and business in the emerging healthcare industry, he earned his Master’s in Management from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern with three majors. His first position following Kellogg was with the laboratory division of Baxter Healthcare, where he had success introducing new technologies to hospitals as a Product Manager and in sales management.
Rich joined a struggling laboratory business in the mid-90s, Corning Clinical Laboratories, as a Vice President of Sales. His aspiration was to help transform the business. A few years later, the business was spun off from Corning and a new public company, Quest Diagnostics Inc., was created. In a very short time, Quest Diagnostics became the largest clinical laboratory business in the world.
Rich retired after the success of Quest Diagnostics to go fishing all over the world. He also participated in the Professional Walleye tour.
In 2014, Byron Dennis approached Rich about starting a new business in healthcare that they could build from the ground up. The healthcare division of Best Foot Forward (BFF) was created to support health insurance providers to locate, educate, and engage with the significant number of health plans that were unable to engage with their members. The success of BFF has been quite substantial.
Rich resides just outside of Chicago in Northwest Indiana. He continues to fish the rivers, lakes, and oceans around the world as often as he can.