Leah Ramirez Email & Phone Number

Responsible for initiating and leading research and analysis for a portfolio of Medicaid public policy issues to promote thought leadership for Elevance Health's Public Policy Institute. Conceptualize, conduct, and oversee research and analysis and related publications.Identify data assets, research questions, and analytic methodologies to contribute to public policy refinement. Keep apprised of proposed legislation and regulations to identify moderately complex public policy issues, assess the impact, and develop proposals for research projectsFoster relationships across the company and participate in workgroups and/or research endeavors hosted by external industry groups to provide content and technical expertise to more effectively support policy goals. Cultivate relationships with external groups, academic institutions, and other experts that could serve as partners in the development of research and/or data analysis. Serves as a resource to other associates to advise on policy issues.

Madison, Wisconsin

Have primary leadership of projects to leverage Medicaid policies and funds to address housing issues and other drivers of health for Wisconsin Medicaid members.Responsible for monitoring other states utilizing Medicaid resources to assist members experiencing or at risk of homelessness, analyzing current Wisconsin efforts and potential collaborations, researching data related to homelessness in Wisconsin and in Medicaid, and consulting with other State and local agencies on potential policy changes and data sharing capabilities. Recommend options and implications of policy choices to Division Administrators relative to all aspects of Medicaid such as integrating behavioral and physical health, drivers of health, quality initiatives, screening and referral platforms, and funding community health workers.Develop funding opportunities for providers and partners to serve low-income individuals and families. Liaison with multiple stakeholders, nonprofits, and other state entities with a purpose to discover other initiatives and determine opportunities for collaboration and support.

Madison, Wisconsin Area

As a contractor for the state of Wisconsin: Analyzed, developed, and evaluated Medicaid policies related to managed care programs in Wisconsin Medicaid; maintained working relationships with managed care organizations and provider groups regarding policies, management, and legislative issues; participated in inter- and intra-divisional workgroups and committees for the purpose of achieving consistent public policy development and incorporating program goal.

Little Rock, Arkansas Area

Worked independently and as a senior level member of a team to develop and execute public health research projects and health policy analyses; develop documents, reports, manuscripts, andother materials; participated in other dissemination activities related to funded and assigned projects; developed and directed health policy-related programs, initiatives, trainings, and other activities associated with funded and assigned projects; administered and managed funded and assigned projects including supervising assigned project staff; identified funding opportunities and developed proposals and applications.

Chicago, Il

Coordinated a research study examining the effects of an at-home exercise intervention on cardiovascular disease risk in people with Multiple Sclerosis. Responsibilities included recruiting, scheduling, conducting study visits, collaborating with stakeholders, and monitoring the intervention. Additional job tasks were metabolic testing, exercise prescription, ultrasound testing, cardiovascular testing as well as data processing, interpretation and documentation.

Little Rock, Arkansas Area

Provided health education for weight loss and maintenance in an adult weight loss program. Facilitated group weight loss classes and educated individuals on healthy eating, exercise, and lifestyle changes to achieve and sustain weight loss. Also provided additional support for patients struggling with weight loss, entered data, processed inventory and payments, and promoted the program.

Winston-Salem, Nc

Assisted with weekly weight loss classes, reviewed diet logs, recorded weights, lead strength exercises, provided exercise and weight loss counseling, and supervised biweekly exercise sessions for obese and morbidly obese adults.

Winston-Salem, Nc

Provided prospective patients with information regarding exercise sessions, fees, stress testing, dietary and psychosocial assessments, and blood work. Oriented new patients on program policies, risk stratified patients, drew blood, performed physical functioning tests, and provided ongoing support.

Winston-Salem, Nc

Scheduled participants, set up visits, and collected data for cognitive testing in older adults with mobility disability. Trained other individuals to coordinate all aspects of the research study. Entered data, organized group topics, wrote monthly newsletters, designed program flyers, observed group sessions, lead physical activity trainings for health professionals, and attended community health worker trainings.

Winston-Salem, Nc

Lectured course materials, conducted physical activity labs including biometric assessments, strength training, and cardiorespiratory fitness, met with students upon request, and graded all written work, including papers, labs, and exams.

Supervised exercise session, measured resting blood pressures, lead strength training, trained patients on strength training equipment, performed ECG stress testing, and monitored heart rhythms in older adults with heart disease, diabetes, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, COPD, MS, and stroke victims.

Milwaukee, Wi

Manager Duties:Planned weekly meetings to update other students on new programs, policies, and class discounts, created and maintained employee handbook and training manual, trained all new employees on databases used, office policies, phone etiquette, and on handling money, issued refunds and official transcripts to registrants, assisted with preparing material for upcoming programs, edited portions of the seasonal catalog, and kept program materials and website information updated.Office Duties:Answered phones, entered data, took payments via credit card, check, and cash for programs, copied files, served as internal and external customer service through supporting all departments with registrations, payments, and questions about paperwork and assisting customers with all of their registration needs.

Extensively trained to be an active staff member for two physical activity interventions including becoming proficient in anthropometric measures, densitometry, and study preparation and management. Learned lab protocols including use, calibration, and cleaning of equipment, safety procedures, screening, and data collection. Conducted research visits and data collection with research participants which included informed consents, anthropometric measurements, and measurements of body composition.

Taught members the use of cardiovascular and resistance training equipment; attended quarterly meetings to discuss upcoming group classes and events, updates on new cardiovascular machines, and cover updated policies; participated in and attended customer service training seminars.

M.S., Health And Exercise Science

Graduated Magna Cum Laude

B.S., Kinesiology

Graduated Summa Cum Laude

Professional Certificate, Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management

Courses: Budgeting in a Nonprofit Organization, Capital Campaigns, How to Read a Nonprofit Financial Statement, Introduction to Grant.