Robert Hess II, MPH, PMP, CPHQ, SSBB, brings over 15 years of experience in the health and human services industry to the OPEN MINDS team. His areas of expertise include health system operations, health system strategy, quality improvement, managed care, integrated care, and behavioral health/substance use.

Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Hess spent time as a Private Consultant, where he worked with over 80 clients, in 20 states and 7 countries – including several Fortune 500 companies – designing, implementing and optimizing health systems. He has also participated in business development initiatives procuring and/or implementing over $10 billion in new business for health systems and providers. He has conducted assessments and designed health system operations mechanisms, including network management and provider contracting with and without payment incentives, implemented health information technology systems, developed provider reporting requirements, wrote health plan policy, provider manual and best practices, including the implementation of the largest Medicaid-funded integrated care contract in the United States.

In addition, Mr. Hess has worked directly with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and The White House to implement portions of the Affordable Care Act in addition to consulting with SAMSHA on the implementation of evidence-based practices, Mr. Hess served as a member of the State Health Improvement Plan with the Arizona Department of Health Services and a member of the Arizona Governor’s Office Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Arizona (SPACA). Further, Mr. Hess is highly solicited as a key-note speaker, trainer, and facilitator, having presented at over 80 conferences and Universities.

Mr. Hess earned his Master of Public Health from John’s Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and his Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Arizona State University. In addition, he has earned certification as a project management professional (PMP), certified professional of health care quality (CPHQ), and certification as a LEAN Six Sigma Black Belt (SSBB).