Teresa Titus-Howard Named President/CEO of The Coordinating Center

Millersville, Maryland—The Coordinating Center, Maryland’s statewide, premier nonprofit care coordination organization for children and adults with disabilities and complex needs, is excited to announce Teresa Titus-Howard, PhD, MHA, MSW, as its next President/CEO. Dr. Titus-Howard will succeed Karen-Ann Lichtenstein, who retired at the end of May after 35 years with the organization.

Dr. Titus-Howard joins The Coordinating Center with more than 25 years of health care delivery experience, with extensive expertise in consumer advocacy, public-private partnerships, policy, payment reform, clinical expertise, and compliance oversight. Recently, Dr. Titus Howard was Vice President, Federal Health Management and Solutions at Telligen, Inc., where she oversaw federal health contracts for the organization.  She is a well-respected leader in the areas of performance measurement and quality improvement, learning and action networks, and healthcare innovation drawing from her prior experience with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) where she co-founded the Learning and Diffusion Group for CMS Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation Center (CMMI) and led the reorganization of the Quality Innovation Network Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) program for CMS Center for Clinical Standards and Quality Improvement Group.

“After a comprehensive search process and thorough succession plan, the Board of Directors is pleased to have chosen the best individual to assume leadership of The Coordinating Center,” said Tom H. Hall, chairman of The Coordinating Center’s Board of Directors. “Teresa has a proven track record of advancing the health care delivery experience, with strong leadership in advancing public-private partnership. This combined with her dedication to community, quality and outcomes management make Teresa uniquely qualified to lead The Coordinating Center successfully into the future.”

Photo courtesy of Jason Putsche Photography.

The Coordinating Center Appoints New Board Members

The Coordinating Center is pleased to announce the appointments of Dr. Andrey Ostrovsky, Carole Lowe-Nedab, and Naftali Rabinowitz to its Board of Directors.

Dr. Andrey Ostrovsky is a practicing physician at Children’s National Health System, a health policy leader, and social entrepreneur. Dr. Ostrovsky has held prominent positions including Chief Medical Officer of CMS and CHIP Services, and has led teams at the World Health Organization, United States Senate, and San Francisco Health Department toward strengthening health systems through technology. Dr. Ostrovsky has contributed to legislation at the local and national level to advance care delivery for vulnerable populations. Dr. Ostrovsky is a published researcher in public health informatics, quality improvement, healthcare innovation, social entrepreneurship, and care coordination.

Carole Lowe-Nedab is a Budget Manager in the Office of Management and Budget for Prince George’s County. She serves as the lead for the County’s Enterprise Resource Planning Program implementation. As a parent of two children, one of whom had special healthcare needs, Ms. Lowe-Nedab understands the importance of care coordination services for children and their families.  In memory of her daughter, Kendal Sophia Nedab, she established the KSN Foundation.  Because of her compassion for others, the foundation will provide support to those seeking to develop the character of youth beyond academics.

Naftali Rabinowitz, our consumer representative, is a passionate advocate for children with special healthcare needs. Mr. Rabinowitz currently studies Jewish Rabbinic Law at Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore and during his free time volunteers for Kids of Courage, a nonprofit organization that helps children with chronic disabilities to have the opportunity to travel. As a young adult born with Spina Bifida, Naftali is passionate in helping  children achieve their goals.

The Coordinating Center’s board members serve a three-year term.

Benjamin P. Peck Named Program Director of Wellness and Independence for Seniors at Home (WISH)

The Coordinating Center is excited to announce that Benjamin P. Peck, PhD, is the Program Director for the Wellness and Independence for Seniors at Home (WISH) program.

Mr. Peck brings 18 years of healthcare experience to The Coordinating Center. As the Program Director of WISH, Mr. Peck will oversee a team of health coaches, registered nurses, and coordination specialists. WISH is part of the Nexus Montgomery Regional Partnership and aims to reduce avoidable hospital use by working with individuals age 65 and older, who live independently in Montgomery and parts of Prince George’s counties and are in jeopardy of declining health.

Prior to the joining The Coordinating Center, Mr. Peck was a Project Director for Discern Health in Baltimore and a member of the Executive Committee for the Primary Care Coalition of Montgomery County’s Board of Directors. Mr. Peck holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the University of California, Berkley and a Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. He resides in Rockville with his family.

The Coordinating Center Celebrates 35 Years of Abilities

In honor of The Coordinating Center’s 35th year anniversary, coworkers will participate in The Center’s Year of Service initiative. Renée Dain, VP, Business Development and Social Innovation and initiative organizer said, “Finding time to give back to the community and to make new connections has been proven to improve not only the lives of others, but your own life as well. By volunteering with coworkers in our local community, we will promote team building and have the opportunity to put The Center’s values into action.”

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The Coordinating Center Helps Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

Thanks to donations from coworkers and CenterFlix attendees, The Coordinating Center created 183 care bags for individuals experiencing homelessness. Coworkers will be distributing these bags to individuals throughout the state during the winter months.

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Shenita Freeman Named Program Director of Wellness and Independence for Seniors at Home (WISH)

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The Coordinating Center is excited to announce that Shenita Freeman is the Program Director for the Wellness and Independence for Seniors at Home (WISH) program.

Ms. Freeman brings more than 11 years of clinical and administrative healthcare experience to The Coordinating Center. As the Program Director of WISH, she will oversee the team of health coaches, a RN Care Coordinator, a Community Program Liaison and Coordination Specialist. As part of the Nexus Montgomery Regional Partnership, WISH aims to reduce avoidable hospital use by people age 65+ living independently in Montgomery and parts of Prince George’s counties who are in jeopardy of declining health.

Ms. Freeman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Metropolitan State University, a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Colorado School of Public Health, and is pursuing a Master of Computer Information Systems – Health Informatics from Boston University.

The Coordinating Center Hosts Its 2nd Annual CenterFlix

MEDIA RELEASE
The Coordinating Center is excited to announce its 2nd Annual CenterFlix will be on November 7, 2016 at the Baltimore Museum of Art. The event will include feature films from Sprout Film Festival, live performances, visual art, a raffle and cocktail reception.

All CenterFlix proceeds will benefit The Center’s Family Resource Fund, which provides critical financial assistance for children and adults with disabilities and chronic conditions.

For more information about CenterFlix or to purchase tickets, visit www.coordinatingcenter.org/centerflix.