Nancy Dunlap, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine and business at UAB, will serve as Special Advisor to the newly-established Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission. Dunlap was appointed by Governor Robert Bentley, who says the commission’s goal is to find ways to increase efficiency in Medicaid while also delivering higher-quality care.
Dunlap is a well-known expert in business and health policy. She is currently completing a 2011-2012 Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship for the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the United States House of Representatives. Dunlap is also leading the Alabama Health Policy Initiative, which is an independent component of the UAB School of Public Health. She has served as chief of staff and chief operating officer for the Kirklin Clinic in Birmingham.
“Dr. Dunlap is widely respected in the medical and business communities, and she will be a great asset to the Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission,” Governor Bentley says. “She has a thorough understanding of the issues affecting health care in Alabama, and I believe her work as an advisor will benefit not only this commission, but also all the people of this state.”
Governor Bentley recently established the commission by executive order. State Health Officer Donald Williamson, M.D., is serving as chair of the commission and will work closely with Dunlap and commission members in outlining recommendations for improvement.
“I have had the privilege and honor of working with Dr. Dunlap on many issues related to health care in Alabama over the years,” Williamson says. “Her expertise and knowledge will bring a great deal of strength to the work of the commission. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Dunlap once again. Dr. Dunlap and the Health Policy Initiative will provide significant expertise and staffing assistance to the work of the commission.”
The commission is expected to submit its recommendations for improvements in Alabama Medicaid to Governor Bentley prior to the 2013 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature.