Over the holidays I had the rare pleasure of having my son help me bake cookies for a Christmas cookie exchange. It was rare not only because I never bake, but also because he’s 16 years old, and although he is accommodating with chores, getting him to help in the Read more…
It seems to be human nature to attempt to squash behavior around health care into accepted consumer modes of conduct but there are times when it is just impossible. People do not buy refrigerators right after experiencing traumatic events or while sick or in pain. Conversely, they do not always Read more…
Before I came to work for Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC), I thought of databases in the most archaic fashion. Growing up, we had the classic monochromatic set of encyclopedias that most 90’s kids used for school research projects, or as step stools or flower-pressing devices. This Read more…
The last few months have been some of the most intense and rewarding I’ve experienced during my time at CIVHC. January kicked off a legislative session where more policymakers than ever reached out to use the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD) to inform discussions related to pending legislation. Read more…
June 30th marks the end of my first full fiscal year at CIVHC. I started in March of 2018, just as the year-end activities were ramping up. At that time, I was struck by how many ways CIVHC and the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD) support different stakeholders. Read more…
The moment of impact takes my breath away. Even now, over a year removed from that icy and snowy morning, the slick sidewalk, and seemingly slow-motion fall, my stomach heaves and my lungs contract when I recall the crunch when I hit the concrete. I had never felt pain like Read more…
I’ve always been environmentally conscientious thanks to freshmen orientation week at Colorado College where they drilled into our heads that we were all a part of the problem, and the solution, to natural resource conservation. As a result, I turn off the sink if I see it running unnecessarily in Read more…
There is something special about learning a new piece of technology, a feeling of unlocking potential and an excitement at mastering interfaces. Last year I bought myself an Apple watch and found myself at the start of a new learning curve with capabilities and screens and notifications to figure out. Read more…
Dear Colorado Health Care Payers, As it so frequently happens, the hustle and bustle of life can distract us from what truly matters. While we strive to make it through our busy days, we sometimes forget to stop and say the important things. That is why I am taking a Read more…
I’ve been in health care for over 20 years, but until several years ago I had no idea what opioids were, what they were doing to our society, and the complexity of the problem. I never really paid much attention to when and how many opioid prescriptions I was personally Read more…