Amanda Thomas, MPH, PMP

Program Management

• Positioned the Navy as a tri-service leader with a dynamic accreditation model suited for secure military sites; the Army and Air Force adopted the model based on proven outcomes.
• Built and led a review process; guided senior staff through over 500 Joint Commission standards to identify alignment with DOD/Navy policies and assess accreditation readiness.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Redesigned data tool for over 20 sites, improving triage and prioritization for healthcare accreditation efforts.

Communication

• Engaged Navy captains and commanders to analyze over 100 complex, non-aligned standards, and clarify compliance challenges in under three months.

Accomplishment

• Successfully wrote and received approval for a Military Couples Relationship study within the first 90 days of employment.
• Led a large quantitative analysis with over 34 million cases using SAS to analyze the frequency of relationship problems among military populations.

Leadership and Project Management

• Motivated and led a cross-functional team of 10 senior staff members to complete a stakeholder outreach and data collection initiative ahead of schedule through strategic data storytelling and clear communication.
• Mentored and coached 5 junior team members, building skill sets, ensuring the delivery of high-quality work, and supporting professional development.
• Oversaw recruitment, onboarding, and training processes, exceeding client expectations for team performance and quality.

Data Collection & Analysis

• Spearheaded a division-wide analysis and stakeholder engagement project; reviewed historical data and identified over 10 actionable priorities to realign resources with strategic goals.
• Designed and executed surveys using Verint and Excel; collected and analyzed over 100 responses to assess behavioral and social health trends and outcomes.

Accomplishment

• Increased CMS program attendance by 25% by implementing frequent and strategic advertising of all events. Utilized LinkedIn, Facebook and website banners to share pithy and engaging advertising.
• Averted an overspent budget and saved Battelle over $250,000 in excess costs by finding cost-effective ways to deliver quality products with less staff time and cutting redundancies.

Communication

• Drafted over 25 CMS manuals, presentations and marketing products for the Pre-Rulemaking program. Providing instruction and visuals to assist participants in submitting measures for consideration by CMS.
• Launched a visually eye-catching monthly newsletter with an open rate of 37%, significantly higher than industry standard of 21.3%. Highlighted achievements and featured recent publications of grantees.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Identified over 150 subject matter experts, conducted background research and tracked their engagement and participation in the CMS National Quality Strategy initiative.
• Collected and trended over 500 participant comments shared during information sessions and provided summary infographics of participant sentiments for CMS leadership.

Leadership and Project Management

• Task Lead/Senior Project Manager of Stakeholder Engagement team of over 20 staff that delivered 12 information sessions and 4 public webinar products on time and on budget in 1 year.
• Deputy Task Lead/Secondary Project Manager of CMS National Quality Strategy team that recruited and convened over 100 diverse high-level subject matter experts to share their expertise regarding focus of the policy strategy.
• Deputy Task Lead/Secondary Project Manager of CMS Pre-Rulemaking team. Reviewed over 800 submissions by subject matter experts to the CMS rulemaking platform.

Accomplishment

• Wrote the first Maryland Hospital Association Insight report, which highlighted Maryland's spending and utilization performance. Over 50% of hospitals used the report for advocacy.
• Subject Matter Expert for Maternal and Infant Health Data for Maryland Hospital Association, providing annual data updates and talking points for senior leadership.

Communication

• Translated complex SAS scientific data into visually appealing infographics for non-technical audiences (Hospital CEO's).
• Provided technical assistance and training to data analyst colleagues on how to use data to tell a story.
• Drafted visually appealing and informative reports and PowerPoint presentations on HCAHPS, maternal health, and hospital acquired conditions that enabled quick and easy decision making.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Developed, launched and quantitatively analyzed over 25 surveys of hospitals to develop advocacy materials about COVID response, PPE supplies and Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS).
• Conducted qualitative and quantitative analysis of hospital performance on key indicators, such as maternal and infant health, infections, and COVID vaccination.

Leadership and Project Management

• Lead survey developer at MHA; implemented new statistical/research methods and initiated a survey tool upgrade.

Accomplishment

• Tripled the number of regulations adopted annually by creating a regulatory review process that coordinated with internal teams and external constituents.
• Successfully wrote and revised over 50 health care facility regulations that provided authority and guidance to Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, Dialysis Clinics and Adult Day Care.

Communication

• Created infographics outlining the Office of Health Care Quality's Regulatory Process. Over 300 participants reported the materials and format of the process made participation easy.
• Developed and distributed satisfaction surveys to stakeholders and consistently observed scores above 95%.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Collected, analyzed, and interpreted over 1,000 stakeholder comments into a summary report with recommendations to advise senior leadership, team members, and the public.

Leadership and Project Management

• Led the regulatory review process for the Office of Health Care Quality. Responsible for the review, revision and submission of more than 60 regulations to be adopted and published.
• Planned, collaborated, and led internal workgroups with hospital and health care staff to review and successfully adopt over 20 regulations in one year. Which increased staff engagement and cut review time in half.

Accomplishment

• Originally hired as Health Policy Analyst II, offered Acting Director of Health Policy and Planning position within 5 months.
• Won $250,000 in grant funding for a new Patient Centered Medical Home initiative. Wrote the proposal and developed the timeline and budget for work to be completed over 3 years.

Communication

• Created 5 new fact sheets on smoking, youth violence, fitness and other injury topics.
• Wrote literature reviews, conducted surveillance, and data analysis of healthy eating, behavioral health, and access to care trends in Howard County.
• Advised senior leadership on evidenced-based health priorities for the county's strategic plan, narrowing the topics from 20 to 4.

Leadership and Project Management

• Successfully managed 3 grants totaling more than $1 million to support the Health Department’s key initiatives including: healthy eating, behavioral health, and access to care.
• Supervised and coached 6 staff members including contract and government employees. Conducted recruitment and onboarding of multiple staff to implement a new Patient Centered Medical Home initiative for Howard County.

Accomplishment

• Increased awareness of falls prevention by 20%, which led to continuation of funding despite threats of funding cuts.

Communication

• Wrote literature reviews and technical reports during the legislative session with a 1-2 day turnaround.

Leadership and Program Management

• Successfully managed a falls prevention program with 6 grantees spread across 6 counties in Maryland. Including analyzing injury data, conducting site visits and collaborating with team members and grantees.

Communication

• Successfully drafted a $5,000 sole source proposal to fund the food and beverages for the first National Network to Eliminate Disparities conference.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Published dashboard on SAMHSA's website with over 1,000 internal and external comments on the agency's proposed strategic initiative.

Leadership and Project Management

• Coordinated the first National Network to Eliminate Disparities conference with over 150 participants for the Office of Behavioral Health Equity.