GETTYSBURG, Pa. (November 15, 2020) – OPEN MINDS has announced Erin Boyd, Behavioral Network Strategy, Solutions & Program Director of Cigna Behavioral and Melissa Nichols, MHA, Vice President, Market Operations Development of CareSource will present the keynote addresses at The 2021 OPEN MINDS Performance Management Institute. The Institute will run as a hybrid event, offering a virtual component for those unable to meet in person at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida, from February 10-12, 2021. The Performance Management Institute is the only event in the health and human services industry that provides executives the tools needed for manage performance as we look forward to whatever “next normal” comes to our organizations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Erin Boyd is the Behavioral Network Strategy, Solutions & Program Director for Cigna Behavioral and is responsible for developing network strategy and oversees network solutions to drive innovation, cost-savings, improved outcomes, and better care for Cigna customers. Her keynote will kick off the Institute, with a focus on access to care. Ms. Boyd will discuss new health plan strategies and innovations to respond to the increased demand for care in the wake of the pandemic crisis and outline new service delivery models.

Having been at Cigna for three years, Ms. Boyd brings a unique perspective to this role having most recently served as Senior Director of Business Development and Marketing for a behavioral hospital system as well as having 20 years of experience in medical healthcare communications, marketing, public relations, and strategic planning.

Melissa Nichols, MHA is the Vice President of Market Operations Development at CareSource, where she is responsible for the operational development of specialized population models that includes support of clinical models and payer strategies. CareSource is nationally recognized for leading the industry in providing member-centric health care coverage and serves more than 1.9 million members across five states. Her keynote session, “Creating Successful Payer Partnerships For Innovation” will kick off the final day of the Institute. She will talk about how provider organizations and health plans can partner to develop and fund solutions to improve access to care, care continuity, and outcomes for consumers with an integrated outlook.

Ms. Nichols has more than 20 years of experience in managed care with a focus on network management and payer contracting strategies. She has led both physical and behavioral health network activities within the Medicaid and Medicare space while working for many of the large managed care organizations.

As part of the Institute, OPEN MINDS will be holding an executive summit – The Children’s Summit: The Future of School-Based Health Services. Two seminars will also be held during the Institute:

• Succeeding With Value-Based Reimbursement: An OPEN MINDS Executive Seminar On Organizational Competencies & Management Best Practices For Value-Based Contracting
• How To Develop A New Service Line: An OPEN MINDS Seminar On Building A Diversification Strategy & Conducting A Feasibility Analysis

Registration for this exclusive Institute is $700 and is now available at https://www.openminds.com/register-now/. Registration is complimentary for Elite-level subscribers to OPEN MINDS Circle market intelligence service. For more information on the program, sponsorship opportunities, or media inquiries, contact Meena Dayak, Executive Vice President, OPEN MINDS, at 717-334-1329 or mdayak@openminds.com.

To learn more about the Institute, visit our website: https://performance.openminds.com.

ABOUT OPEN MINDS
OPEN MINDS is a national, multi-faceted agency with the deepest reach into the executive cadres of the specialty health and human services sector. We enhance the quality of care for individuals with chronic conditions and complex support needs by improving the business effectiveness of those serving them—provider organizations, payers, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and technology firms. For thirty years, we’ve been pioneers for change—helping organizations develop and implement transformational solutions for success in an evolving health and human service market. We specialize in crisis recovery and sustainability strategies. We are the industry leaders in executive content—education, market intelligence, publications—and management consulting. Visit https://www.openminds.com/membership/ to sign up for a free individual membership.