Leadership Louisiana unveils Health Fellows program to convene cross-sector health leaders

Adam Knapp, chief executive officer of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee that his organization is launching the Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows program to convene leaders across sectors to study and act on persistent health challenges facing Louisiana.

"We run a program called Leadership Louisiana... and are in the early phases of launching a new program... that I think is gonna be of really important value to your committee and your work," Knapp said during the May 6 committee presentation.

Sherry Blanchard, who the presenters identified as part of the Leadership Louisiana team, described the Health Fellows as a data-driven initiative focusing on issues such as workforce shortages, rural access and chronic disease. "The Health Fellows Program will bring together leaders from health care, business, policy, and education to do a deep, data-driven look at systems shaping health in Louisiana," Blanchard said.

Renee Ragas, introduced as a hospital leader who participated in development of the curriculum, said the program is built with input from hospital leaders, insurers and smaller providers. "From a provider perspective, we deal with healthcare shortages, reimbursement challenges, and access," Ragas said, adding the program aims to foster a shared understanding across sectors.

Committee members received a one-page summary of the initiative and the chair encouraged members to consider participating or engaging with Fellows when they visit the regions they represent. No committee action or vote was taken on the presentation.

The program was described as a statewide effort and presenters said they had collaborated with the Louisiana Hospital Association and the Department of Health in designing content and outreach.