Kathleen Connors de Laguna
Olney,MD
Summary
Strategic Public Health Executive with over 30 years of leadership experience enhancing health care quality and access while advancing health equity across diverse sectors. Delivered impactful initiatives through program management, stakeholder engagement, and cross-sector collaboration. Resourceful Coordinator specializing in project management and workflow optimization, contributing to successful outcomes via effective communication and teamwork.
Overview
44
44
years of professional experience
Work History
Flex Program Evaluation Lead & Program Officer
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
07.2022 - 05.2025
- Collaborated with state, federal, and community partners to enhance rural healthcare access, financial stability and quality.
- Led evaluations and quality improvement initiatives that enhanced services for rural hospitals and underserved communities.
- Managed $30.7 million in Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility funding agreements and distribution.
Program Lead & Project Officer
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
12.2004 - 07.2022
- Managed $67.9 million in cooperative agreements supporting state and local responses to the Zika virus.
- Directed national programs focused on health promotion, disease prevention, and health equity.
- Developed and evaluated innovative models improving cancer outcomes for Latino, Black, Asian, and Native American older adults in partnership with NIH and HRSA.
- Implemented evidence-based Health Risk Assessments connecting high-risk seniors to community resources.
- Contributed to national initiatives promoting adoption and meaningful use of electronic health records, enhancing data accessibility and patient care.
- Represented CMS at conferences and meetings with CDC, NIH, the American Cancer Society, and the Oncology Nursing Society.
- Facilitated health initiatives at HHS.
Medical Officer Detail Assignment
Office of Refugee Resettlement
03.2021 - 06.2021
- Managed refugee call center operations to enhance service delivery.
- Facilitated access to health and social services for refugees, improving their integration.
- Collaborated with case management staff to formulate effective resettlement strategies.
Senior Grants Coordinator
U.S. Department of Education
03.2017 - 12.2017
- Coordinated international educational programs and initiatives for diverse student populations.
- Assisted in the planning of conferences and workshops for educators nationwide.
Executive Director, CONFE
International Leadership Roles Mexico
01.1999 - 06.2003
Consultant
Mexican Social Security Institute
01.1997 - 01.1999
Executive Director
American Benevolent Society
01.1991 - 01.1997
Registered Nurse
Multiple Health Care Systems
01.1981 - 03.1990
Program Officer
CMS
01.1985 - 01.1988
Congressional Intern
U.S. Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources
01.1984 - 08.1984
- Assisted in drafting legislative reports and summaries for committee meetings.
- Researched long term care policies and promising initiatives for committee review.
- Attended hearings and recorded key discussions for future reference.
Education
Certificate - Health Information Management
Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
Bethesda, MDBachelor of Science in Nursing -
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Baltimore, MDMaster of Science in Public Health -
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NCSkills
- Grant Management
- Quality Improvement
- Health equity
- Grant management
- Community care
- Program Development
- Policy analysis
Additional Information
Bilingual/Bicultural English/Spanish, Collaborative Leadership Style, Agile Change Leader, Lifelong Learner, Outdoor and Fitness Enthusiast
Leadership And Professional Development
- President’s Management Council Leadership Development Program
- Toastmaster Competent Communicator
- Quality Improvement Initiatives
Timeline
Flex Program Evaluation Lead & Program Officer
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
07.2022 - 05.2025
Medical Officer Detail Assignment
Office of Refugee Resettlement
03.2021 - 06.2021
Senior Grants Coordinator
U.S. Department of Education
03.2017 - 12.2017
Program Lead & Project Officer
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
12.2004 - 07.2022
Executive Director, CONFE
International Leadership Roles Mexico
01.1999 - 06.2003
Consultant
Mexican Social Security Institute
01.1997 - 01.1999
Executive Director
American Benevolent Society
01.1991 - 01.1997
Program Officer
CMS
01.1985 - 01.1988
Congressional Intern
U.S. Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources
01.1984 - 08.1984
Registered Nurse
Multiple Health Care Systems
01.1981 - 03.1990
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Certificate - Health Information Management
Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
Master of Science in Public Health -
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill