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Medicaid Advisory Committee Members

MAC Board Members

The Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC) is a federally mandated body consisting of not more than 15 members appointed by the governor. The committee advises the Oregon Health Policy Board, the Office for Oregon Health Policy and Research and the Oregon Health Authority on the operation of Oregon's Medicaid program, including the Oregon Health Plan. The MAC develops policy recommendations at the request of the governor and the legislature.

Please use MAC E-mail to contact committee members and staff. Indicate in the subject line to whom your email is directed.

MAC Chairs

 

Caroline Barrett is a board-certified family medicine physician and assistant professor at the Center for Women’s Healthmber at Oregon Health & Sciences University. She did her residency training at Community Health Care, a consortium of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Tacoma, Washington. Through this experience and in subsequent positions in the Portland metro community, she has worked extensively with patients on both Medicaid and Medicare. She grew up on the Southern Oregon Coast and is familiar with healthcare challenges affecting rural communities. She learned fluent Spanish while attending Portland State University for her undergraduate degree, and has spent the last 18 years utilizing her language skills serving the Spanish speaking community in different capacities. After PSU, she went to Concordia University for a Biology degree. She attended medical school locally at OHSU and while there, completed a student fellowship in pathology. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, her rescue-poodle, reading all things fiction, gardening, and traveling

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MAC Members

 

​Dr. Azma Ahmed is a public health leader with over a decade of experience building sustainable dental programs and advancing health equity for Oregon's most vulnerable populations. A first-generation immigrant and foreign-trained dentist from India, she earned her BDS from Rajiv Gandhi University before completing her DDS at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. As the Dental Director for Multnomah County Community Health Center, she is a dedicated champion of improving clinical quality of care, fiscal stewardship and interoperability. A graduate of the National Oral Health Learning Institute, she is the recipient of the 2017 Heroes in Native Health Award. Dr. Ahmed remains committed to improving healthcare delivery through clinical experience, data-driven quality initiatives, and active participation in workgroups to enhance community health. 

​coming soon

​coming soon

​Lydia Dennehy is a Parent and Self-advocate who believes that families should not have to “do it" alone.  She has worked for Oregon Family to Family Health Information Center for ten years providing support for families across the state of Oregon.  She helps parents and youth find information, navigate the service system, and learn to create a health care team that helps families grow and thrive.  She is passionate about health equity for all Oregonians no matter where they live or their life circumstances.  She believes that families, with support, can learn and do for themselves.​

​Ryan Hudman serves as Chief Operations Officer for Gateway Adult Residential Care in Eugene, Oregon, where he oversees operations for multiple long-term care communities serving older adults and individuals with complex behavioral, cognitive, and medical needs. His work focuses on healthcare operations, regulatory compliance, workforce development, quality improvement, and access to community-based services.

Ryan's professional background includes experience in emergency medical services, mental health, traumatic brain injury support, substance use recovery services, housing instability programs, and long-term care administration. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with individuals who rely on Medicaid-funded services, including long-term services and supports, behavioral health programs, community-based care, and residential services. He holds associate degrees in Emergency Medical Technology, Fire Science, and Healthcare Administration.

Ryan is committed to improving systems that support vulnerable populations by balancing person-centered care, operational effectiveness, and regulatory accountability. He brings the perspective of long-term care providers, Medicaid service recipients, families, and frontline caregivers to policy discussions.​

As a member of the Oregon Medicaid Advisory Committee, Ryan is committed to strengthening Oregon's healthcare system and improving outcomes for Oregon Health Plan members through practical, informed, and collaborative policymaking.


coming soon​

​coming soon

​Emma Sandoe is the Director of Oregon's Medicaid Program. Prior to joining Oregon, Sandoe was the Deputy Director of Medicaid Policy at North Carolina Medicaid and has previously served as the spokesperson for Medicaid and HealthCare.gov at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and worked on ACA coordination at the Department of Health and Human Services Budget Office. She received her PhD in Health Policy focusing on Medicaid from Harvard University, MPH at the George Washington University, and undergraduate degrees from University of California, San Diego.

coming soon​

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Stacy Shaw

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​Peter Starkey is the Executive Director of FolkTime, a peer-run nonprofit providing behavioral health support to individuals and organizations throughout Oregon. With over a decade of diverse nonprofit experience, Peter has managed small, community-based organizations to large, multinational organizations prior to joining FolkTime. He is deeply committed to advancing behavioral health and equity for Oregon's most vulnerable populations, especially those with disabilities or who have been historically marginalized. Peter is passionate about building more trauma-competent systems, moving beyond trauma-informed care to collaborate with hospitals, clinics, schools, governments, and other community-based organizations in creating accessible healthcare and supportive systems capable of navigating trauma.
 
Peter has presented talks and trainings globally on topics related to behavioral health, trauma competency, houselessness, advocacy, and global health policy. His work in peer-delivered services, shaped by his lived and living experience with the behavioral health system, has influenced his view of health policy, emphasizing the importance of treating people with respect, dignity, and care.

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Jeri Weeks has served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Neighborhood Health Center (NHC) since 2012 and is a strong advocate for medically underserved populations in Oregon.  A Federally Qualified Health Center in the Portland metro area, NHC serves over 20,000 patients, 60% of which are on the Oregon Health Plan.  Jeri has over 20 years of experience in community healthcare leadership, from clinic administration to county health center management.  Under her guidance, NHC has expanded to 10 clinics offering high-quality medical, dental, behavioral, and reproductive healthcare to patients in Washington and Clackamas Counties.  Her passion for providing affordable healthcare to the community is evident in her work.  Jeri holds a Master of Business Administration from City University of Seattle.

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