Brianna, who has been with Telligen since 2012, excels in evaluating QIOs and CMMI model evaluations. She specializes in needs assessments, program design, and evaluation processes for healthcare quality improvement and public health initiatives, with expertise in building organizational capacity through training and technical assistance.

Christine LaRocca, MD, CPHQ, is a board-certified geriatrician and Clinical Lead at Telligen, who has over 20 years of experience improving care quality under CMS contracts. She provides oversight for the CMS Midwest QIN-QIO and evaluates the BPCI Advanced Model.

Shay is a Central Montana native with 20 years of healthcare experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s in Business Management with an emphasis in Operational Leadership, along with a certification from the Society for Human Resource Management.

Kaylie Doyle is a Regional Manager for the Midwest QIN-QIO with over a decade of experience leading federally funded healthcare improvement initiatives. She holds an MBA in Healthcare Administration and is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, specializing in data-driven improvement and sustainable system change.

LorRisa, Midwest QIN-QIO Regional Manager, brings 13+ years of experience in leading healthcare improvement initiatives through federally funded programs. Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with an MHA, she is committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement through her experience in leveraging data-driven strategies to enhance patient and health outcomes.

Deanna is a Regional Hospitals Manager with Mountain Pacific and has experience across outpatient, behavioral health, and community‑based care.

Her expertise includes clinical operations and health system design and evaluation. She is passionate about advancing rural healthcare access and strengthening care quality across Washington’s hospital and healthcare communities.

Crystal Morse joined the QIN‑QIO in October 2017 and brings nearly 30 years of health care experience in nursing home, home health, and acute care settings.

She holds a master’s degree in health services administration, is a board‑certified social worker, and maintains certification in case management.

Toby is a healthcare informatics professional with over 20 years of experience in quality improvement and Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. Toby leads advancements in the use of healthcare technology, data management, and digital health initiatives in support of the Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) work.

Nina is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the Boise State University School of Social Work. and began her career as a nursing home social worker for many years before becoming a state surveyor and program supervisor in Idaho, then a federal surveyor where she traveled the country inspecting nursing homes and dialysis units. She joined the QIO in 2022 in response to a call to action from providers for support for good outcomes rather than punitive actions for undesirable ones.

Brian Feist, BSN, RN, CHEC-II, is Director of Emergency Preparedness Planning for the Midwest QIN-QIO with over two decades of experience. Brian has an EMS, fire, and emergency/trauma care background and focuses on operational readiness helping healthcare systems move beyond CMS compliance toward coordinated, real-world response, resilience, and regional preparedness.

Risa is trained in Motivational Interviewing, CTI™, Patient Activation, Human Centered Design, and holds certifications in professional coaching, Appreciative Inquiry, Silver Level Lean, a Six Sigma Black Belt.  She employs a tailored mix of these strategies plus 25+ years of change leadership to help providers and communities transform health and healthcare.

Mandy Johnson, MBA, CRHCP, is a Program Specialist with the Midwest QIN-QIO, with over 25 years in healthcare, including 8 years in state and federal quality improvement initiatives, 15 years managing a multi-location Rural Health Clinic, and 10 years providing patient care. 

John Keefe has  30+ years of experience as a CIO, CTO, and Cybersecurity GRC leader in healthcare, he is recognized for building and maturing cybersecurity programs, developing security strategies, leading complex regulatory compliance initiatives, and enhancing security postures within the healthcare sector.

Kelley is the patient safety program specialist, supporting work across the Midwest QIN-QIO region. As a nurse leader, she has over a decade of experience in infection prevention, wound/ostomy care, and quality improvement. Kelley has been nationally recognized for her innovative training programs and has authored multiple publications in AJIC and the APIC Text.

Meredith has 30 years of progressive experience as a CNA, PTA, COO, Administrator and Quality Improvement Specialist. Her team earned Best Places to Work in Denver in her time as a COO. She enjoys helping build workplace cultures that promote well-being so positive clinical outcomes and strong operational metrics follow.

Megan Myers, PharmD, has 20 years of pharmacy experience and a demonstrated history of innovative initiatives and improvement projects. Experience includes immunizations, chronic disease management, patient safety, medication management, regulatory compliance, and administrative pharmacy research.

Callie Perkins, RN, BSN is a QIA at Mountain Pacific with more than 20 years of healthcare experience. Her expertise includes infection control, quality assurance and performance improvement, staff development, leadership, and risk management. She has worked across acute care, long-term care, public health, and behavioral health settings.

Amber Rogers, RN MSN, has been with Mountain Pacific since 2015, focusing on care coordination, decreasing readmission rates, and improving quality. She specializes in behavioral health, particularly substance use disorder and resilience. Recently, she led Montana’s development of an Association for Infant and Child Mental Health, funding social-emotional learning for young children.

Lisa is a seasoned Quality Improvement Advisor with over 10 years of experience in enhancing patient outcomes, operational performance, and regulatory compliance in healthcare organizations. She collaborates with hospitals and nursing homes to implement evidence-based initiatives, analyze performance data, and support providers in meeting state and federal quality goals.  

Daniel Blazquez, MPA, is a seasoned Quality Improvement Advisor at Mountain Pacific with over 20 years of experience in operational excellence, healthcare quality, aerospace, and energy. A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Prosci ADKAR practitioner, he excels in strategy execution, performance improvement, and building resilient high-performing systems.

Jordan brings two decades of experience in Skilled Nursing focusing on post-acute settings, ACO partnerships, Quality Improvement, and Risk and Compliance.

Jordan is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, CPHQ certified, and currently supports the Midwest QIO-QIN in Missouri Hospital and Nursing Home settings.

Anatta Charoenkul is an Advancing Healthcare Quality through Technology (AHQT) Quality Improvement Advisor at Telligen. She joined Telligen in 2024 and holds a B.S. in Global Health and M.S. in Health Informatics.

She is passionate in helping healthcare facilities with their quality improvement goals, and leveraging technology to improve healthcare access.

Tyler Czarnecki, RN, BSN, LNHA, CPHQ, brings extensive multi-state long-term care operations and quality improvement experience. Passionate about advancing person-centered care and strengthening performance improvement systems, he supports facilities in achieving sustained regulatory and quality success across diverse healthcare settings.

Wendy DeGraffenried, MSN, RN, BC, HN, is a seasoned Alaska nurse with 20+ years in pediatric, psychiatric care, and AI expertise.

Carissa is a Chronic Disease Subject Matter Expert with Mountain Pacific, supporting outpatient family medicine clinics across Utah. Drawing on her experience as a family medicine PA and her Doctor of Medical Sciences, she loves helping teams strengthen care quality, optimize workflows, and leverage technology to support clinicians and improve patient outcomes.

Tina, with a nursing background over 16 years in healthcare quality, supports CMS's National Quality Strategy in Region 6 through data analysis, evidence-based practices, and technical assistance. She enhances clinical performance, excels in project management, and aligns with CMS/NCQA standards. 

Stephanie Gridley, BA, CADC, holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and serves as a QIA. With over eight years of experience in behavioral health, population health, and quality improvement, she specializes in provider engagement, performance improvement, and implementing evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes.

Elena Halfan, with nearly a decade at Telligen, previously supported Advanced Alternative Payment Models for the Quality Payment Program. She helped primary care practices with quality measures reporting and health IT requirements. Elena is excited to work with outpatient practices to improve quality and reduce burden by leveraging technology.

Chloe Hird, MS, is a dedicated Quality Improvement Advisor at the Midwest QIN-QIO. She supports hospitals, nursing homes, and communities across the state by offering personalized quality improvement technical assistance, education, and resources.

Wes has served as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist in multiple high-risk patient care settings for over a decade. He leverages this experience to connect with healthcare teams on a personal level, supporting innovative strategies to meaningfully bring public health, healthcare teams, and patients together.

Supporting QIO work since 2015, Kristen has a passion for helping long-term care facilities achieve their quality improvement goals.

She is a National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) subject matter expert and truly values the relationships she forms with the healthcare providers she is honored to work with.

Brittany is a healthcare quality improvement leader with over 15 years of experience in national CMS and healthcare initiatives. Her expertise includes Medicare and Medicaid populations, patient engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and coaching. She's known for fostering meaningful partnerships and leading programs that improve healthcare quality nationwide.

Devon, with over 23 years in healthcare, is a Sr. Quality Improvement Advisor with the Midwest QIN-QIO. She enhances clinical performance, excels in hospital and nursing home quality, and aligns with CMS/NCQA standards. Her nursing background with multi-generational populations underscores her dedication to equitable, person-centered care.

Michelle Lauckner, a life-long North Dakota resident and Registered Nurse with over 30 years of experience, has spent 15 years in the QIO, dedicated to advancing quality and safety in healthcare. A Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, she serves as a Quality Improvement Advisor II with Mountain Pacific, focusing on long‑term care.

Jamie is a Registered Nurse who holds her Master's Degree in Nursing serving Wyoming. She is experienced in clinical operations, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement. She's passionate about advancing evidence-based practices, strengthening processes, and implementing quality intiatives to improve patient outcomes.

Amber, with over 20 years in healthcare delivery and human services, brings extensive experience in operational leadership and quality improvement to her role. Her career includes being assessor reviewer and working in direct care, leading facilities, and supporting care teams. 

Kyla Newland is a Mountain Pacific QIA with experience as a community and clinical pharmacist. She specializes in chronic disease and medication management, patient safety, opioid stewardship, and immunizations, collaborating with Alaska providers and statewide coalitions to advance health care quality and community-focused improvement initiatives.

Jennifer Peerbolte joined Telligen in 2017 and serves as Iowa's Nursing Home Quality Improvement Advisor on the Midwest QIN-QIO team. A registered nurse with a Masters in Public Administration and a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, she has over 12 years of quality improvement experience, specializing in long-term care and improving resident outcomes.

Jenni is a healthcare quality improvement professional and nurse with over 20 years of clinical experience and over a decade dedicated to Quality Improvement (QI) leadership. She serves as a QIA, supporting providers and healthcare organizations in strengthening clinical performance, regulatory compliance, and patient outcomes.

Clark Pohlmeier, MBA, brings extensive experience in population health management and healthcare operations. He has previously supported many CMS Advanced Alternative Payment Models focused on primary care and oncology. He's excited to continue build relationships and to work alongside providers across Missouri and Kansas.

Stephanie Powers, MPA, is a QIA with 15 years of experience advancing healthcare across federal, state, tribal, and regional systems. She has supported large-scale health initiatives and organizational transformation efforts. She is passionate about strengthening rural healthcare by improving access, quality, and innovation for the communities they serve.

David Rodriguez, LSSG, LHP, CHPM, is a Senior QIA with over 10 years of experience in healthcare organizations across many settings. He excels in CMS-aligned quality improvement, data analytics, Lean/Six Sigma, and provider coaching, driving measurable improvements in outcomes, efficiency, and compliance. 

Job is a Senior Quality Improvement Facilitator with 7+ years experience as a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA) and Direct Services Personnel. He specializes in compliance, improvement, preparedness, operations, and 5-star CMS ratings

Courtnay Ryan, CPHQ, Lean Six Sigma Certified, holds a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and is pursuing a BSN. She has spent 15 years advancing quality across rural hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings, and currently supports long-term care organizations throughout Colorado.

Krista Schremp, LNHA, CPHQ, is a Senior Quality Improvement Advisor with Telligen and a Missouri Licensed Nursing Home Administrator with extensive experience in long-term care and healthcare quality improvement. She previously served as a Missouri nursing home surveyor and worked with a QIN-QIO during the 12th Scope of Work, advancing quality and resident-centered care.

Sue, an RN with 20+ years in healthcare, specializes in infection prevention, quality improvement, and health IT.

Tim is an experienced leader that has applied diverse experience in healthcare over the last 16 years to help healthcare organizations reach their full potential. Prior to joining the Midwest QIN-QIO he performed in compliance, quality, operations, executive leadership, case management, critical care, and emergency care. 

Carrie Sorenson, PharmD is a QIA at Mountain Pacific with over 30 years of experience as a clinical pharmacist. Her expertise includes antimicrobial stewardship, infection control, medication management, patient safety, and opioid stewardship. She works with all ND health care settings to support healthcare quality and patient outcomes.

Michelle, with 30 years in healthcare, focuses on tech-driven revenue cycle management and tackling social determinants of health.

Heather Thom, RN, BSN has 20 years experience in healthcare and the last 10 years in public health focusing on communicable diseases, infection prevention, immunization, and public health emergency preparedness.

Excited to support healthcare facilities in their quality improvement goals.

With 30 years of nursing experience in critical access and rural health settings, Lisa brings deep insight into rural health demands and multidisciplinary roles. Her leadership in nursing supervision and diabetes education sparked a passion for chronic disease management and guided her transition into quality improvement.

Kelly is a QIA with over 20 years of experience as a Registered Nurse and 12 years supporting nursing homes within a regional Quality Improvement Organization.  She partners with providers to enhance quality of care and improve patient outcomes. She supports nursing homes across the state by delivering personalized quality improvement technical assistance and resources, helping organizations strengthen care delivery and overall performance.