Medicaid Directors Elect New Board of Directors for NAMD

Washington, D.C. –– The National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) is pleased to announce the new slate of leaders elected by membership to serve on its Board of Directors. Melisa Byrd, Senior Deputy Director and Medicaid Director of the Department of Health Care Finance for the District of Columbia will be NAMD’s next president. Joining Melisa on the NAMD Board’s Executive Committee will be President-Elect Cheryl Roberts, Director of Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services. Lisa Lee, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Medicaid Services, will transition into the Immediate Past President position.

The newly-elected board represents a broad array of state Medicaid programs reflecting the diversity of program structures and offerings tailored to each state’s need. Incoming board leadership includes health care leaders from Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, US Virgin Islands, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

“Now, more than ever, Medicaid plays a key role in making health care accessible for Americans. Medicaid helps seniors age safely in their homes, enables individuals to walk the path of recovery from substance use disorder, and gives babies a healthy start,” said rising NAMD President Melisa Byrd. “It’s an honor to represent the amazing and dedicated Directors across the 56 state and territory Medicaid programs.”

Melisa Byrd brings extensive health care policy expertise developed through her roles at the National Governors Association, as Policy Advisor to Louisiana’s Department of Health where she led insurance expansion and post-hurricane health care rebuilding efforts, and as a Senior Consultant with Health Management Associates. Throughout her career, Byrd has demonstrated strong leadership in public health administration, health care reform implementation, and program management across multiple states. In her current position, she advises on major policy and budget issues related to DHCF’s health care programs, leveraging her comprehensive background in both public and private health care sectors.

“As Medicaid programs continue to evolve across the nation, our collective leadership becomes increasingly vital in shaping effective healthcare delivery,” said Director of Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services and President-Elect Cheryl Roberts. “This coming year presents both challenges and opportunities as we work to ensure Medicaid remains responsive to the unique needs of each state and territory while maintaining the program’s core mission of providing quality care to those who need it most.”

Cheryl J. Roberts is the Director of the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), which serves 2.1 million Virginia citizens. She leads and supports the Department’s Executive Leadership Team, DMAS staff, programs, contracts, operations, and finance in their mission to provide access to health care coverage and high-quality health care. She has extensive experience in population health, managed care delivery systems and operations. Previously, she was the Deputy for Programs and Operations at DMAS, as well as a health plan executive in both the Medicaid and commercial sectors. Roberts holds a J.D. from Rutgers Law School.

“It is an incredible privilege to serve under the leadership of NAMD’s remarkable board, and in particular, to have the opportunity to work so closely with Melisa, Cheryl and our Immediate Past President Lisa Lee of Kentucky. Each of them exemplifies the best of public service, unwavering focus on the people served by the program, and deep commitment to the providers, plans and countless partners who make Medicaid work on a daily basis,” said Kate McEvoy, NAMD Executive Director.

The new board who will begin or continue their service in April also includes:

• Immediate Past President: Lisa Lee, Commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Medicaid Services
• Governance Committee Chair: Lee Grossman, Senior Administrator and State Medicaid Agent, Wyoming Department of Health
• Finance Committee Chair: Henry Lipman, Director of New Hampshire Medicaid

West Regional Representatives:

• Emma Sandoe, Director of Oregon’s Medicaid Division
• Stacie Weeks, Administrator of the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services

Midwest Regional Representatives:

• Bill Hanna, Medicaid Director, Wisconsin Department of Health Services
• Sarah Aker, Director, Medical Services, North Dakota Human Services

South Regional Representatives:

• Janet Mann, Medicaid Director, Arkansas Department of Human Services
• Stephanie Azar, Commissioner, Alabama Medicaid

East Regional Representatives:

• Michelle Probert, Director of MaineCare
• Ryan Moran, Medicaid Director of Maryland Department of Health

Territories Representative: Gary Smith, Director of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Human Services

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About the National Association of Medicaid Directors

NAMD is a professional community of state leaders who provide health insurance to nearly 80 million individuals and families through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Operating across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, NAMD elevates thought leadership on core policy matters, amplifies the expertise of Medicaid Directors, supports continuous program improvement, and strengthens federal-state partnerships to help millions live their healthiest lives. Learn more at http://www.medicaiddirectors.org and follow NAMD on LinkedIn.