Laura Gerald, Md, Mph Email and Phone Number

Directed the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, one of North Carolina’s largest private foundations, in grantmaking of $24 million annually from assets of more than $530 million while ensuring the Trust’s investments help to achieve Mrs. Reynolds’ vision of improving the health and quality of life of North Carolinians.

Provided physician leadership for Evolent Health, a publically traded company with a mission of improving the health of the nation by changing the way that healthcare is delivered. Led teams in developing and implementing clinical programs that transform healthcare delivery and engaged physicians and healthcare executives in leadership development and change management. Provided clinical strategic direction in population health management programs including quality improvement measurement and reporting, provided support of network and credentialing of specialist groups, and supported clinical leadership of care advising.

Led teams at leading health systems across the nation from blueprinting and strategy development to long-term partnership agreement to execute on the vision of healthcare delivery improvement in population health.Served as clinical wellness lead for the organization, developing and implementing population health product opportunities for large employers and health systems.

Provided expertise and direction for the division in its primary charge of protecting and improving the health of North Carolinians. Responsible for $800M budget and 800 employees. Provided guidance to the Secretary of Health & Human Services on all matters related to Public Health. Increased efficiency and effectiveness of the organization by utilizing evidence-based practices and quality improvement methodologies in order to build the foundation to achieve the Healthy North Carolina 2020 goals. Maintained continued improvements in overall state health rankings and health outcomes in the areas of infant mortality and HIV/AIDS prevention.Directed the completion of a state of the art facility and expanded funding for the State Laboratory for Public Health and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Promoted and prioritized the implementation of the comprehensive Community Transformation Grant Project that established a state wide local infrastructure to decrease tobacco use and increase healthy eating and physical activity. Protected and safeguarded the public health of North Carolinian’s during national, state, and local outbreaks by directing media communications, provider communications, and epidemiological surveillance and investigations. Developed priorities for the Division of Public Health; including enhancing collaboration across multiple sectors and addressing social determinants of health.

Assisted the Secretary of Health and Human in the coordination of Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) across state agencies and assisted in the coordination of planning and implementation of federal grants and programs involving CCNC and DHHS.

Provided part-time outpatient pediatric clinical coverage for a large multi-provider corporation with multiple clinics in a rural area. Specific clinics covered include Lumberton Children’s Clinic, Raeford Pediatrics, and Pembroke Pediatrics.

Directed the Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission established by the NC General Assembly in 2000 to allocate a portion of the state’s share of the national tobacco settlement to invest in programs and partnerships to address issues of access, prevention, education and research. The agency awarded on average over $30 million in grants annually.Provided oversight of all program development, personnel, and operations, including grants management and evaluation. Promoted and prioritized a media and community-based teen tobacco use prevention campaign that resulted in the state's historically low teen tobacco use rates.Served as legislative liaison and met individually with NC legislators on budgetary and health policy related issues for HWTF.Served as liaison to senior officials in the Governor's office, Office of State Budget and Management, and the NC Attorney General's office and collaborated with and advised them on all matters having to do with HWTF.Engaged and directed Commissioners and staff in a strategic planning process that restructured the organization and streamlined grant making to achieve greater impact in tobacco use and obesity prevention.Managed media, stakeholder and grantee relations and new partnership development for HWTF.

Provided consulting services to Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC), a nationally recognized physician-directed primary care medical home program that manages the care of Medicaid recipients to achieve quality improvement and cost containment.Developed and implemented statewide and pilot disease management initiatives in asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), childhood obesity, and Sickle Cell Disease. Researched and developed expertise in national guidelines. Recruited and led teams of leading specialists at NC academic centers and CCNC medical directors in developing and seeking approval for new initiatives and performance measures.Advanced the asthma disease management initiative as demonstrated by improved provider performance on chart audit reviews, favorable comparisons to national benchmark performance measures for insurance plans (HEDIS), and calculated cost savings.Increased provider buy-in and utilization of the Quality Measurement and Feedback system by standardizing the chart audit reviews, which resulted in increased reliability for measuring performance. Delivered over 50 presentations on asthma disease management and quality improvement and championed the Community Care of North Carolina program.Received a Special Recognition Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics for leadership in developing indicators and performance measures to advance the care of children with chronic health conditions in North Carolina.

Pediatrician (1998 - 2001)• Private single specialty practice with inpatient and outpatient clinical responsibilities including teaching and supervision of medical students and residents. • Served as Healthy Steps provider, Child Medical Examiner, and Access Care liaison. Administrative Director (2000 - 2001)• Oversaw the strategic planning, financial management, and operations for a group practice with over $5 million in annual revenues and 17 medical providers.