Jeannette DeJesús, Governor Malloy’s special adviser on health reform and director of the Office Health Reform and Innovation is leaving state government for a position in the non-profit sector.
It was announced Wednesday that DeJesús will leave to become senior vice president healthcare integration of The Wheeler Clinic in Plainville. DeJesús said, in an article at CTNewsJunkie.com, she was comfortable leaving the post given the progress the state has made implementing health reform, the health insurance exchange and other policies.
DeJesús told CTLatinoNews.com in late August, “The next 3-6 months are going to be really critical to healthcare reform in the state.” She said, “We have a significant number of uninsured here in the state. We have a 3.4 million population and 600,000 people, including those on Medicaid, without insurance.”
“For the past two years, Jeannette has worked closely with our administration on finding smart, strategic, and cost-effective ways to implement federal health care reform in Connecticut, with the goal of increasing affordability and access,” Governor Malloy said. “As a result, Connecticut has become one of the leading states in implementing these critical reforms, and we are committed to continue working with President Obama and our Congressional delegation to ensure that our state’s residents benefit from the increased coverage and savings that these new federal laws provide.
“We are absolutely committed to maximizing every opportunity afforded in today’s evolving health care system to improve quality and access to care within the communities we serve. Ms. DeJesús shares that commitment and will be an outstanding addition to our team as we continue to develop an integrated and comprehensive continuum to address the increasingly complex needs of the individuals we serve and reduce disparities in health outcomes,” said Susan Walkama, LCSW, president and chief executive officer. “The Senior Vice President Healthcare Integration position is new to our leadership team and reflects our continued growth as a center for excellence in integrated, person-centered healthcare.”
According to its website, Wheeler Clinic, founded in 1968, is an independent, not-for-profit, community-based organization that provides a comprehensive continuum of mental health and substance abuse recovery services, special education, child welfare, early childhood, community justice, foster care, employee assistance, and prevention and wellness programs. We serve more than 30,000 children, adolescents and adults in Connecticut each year.
