The Washington, D.C.-based NAACOS, the National Association of ACOs, and one of the leading national organizations representing providers organized into accountable care organizations (ACOs) made a leadership announcement on Thursday, Dec. 12. The organization’s press release began thus: “The National Association of ACOs’ (NAACOS) Board of Directors has selected Emily Brower as its next president and chief executive, following the retirement of co-founder Clif Gaus. Ms. Brower is a widely respected leader and advocate for value-based care and payment models, with more than three decades of experience in strategy, operations and board governance positions in provider organizations and membership groups, including NAACOS and the Health Care Transformation Task Force. She is currently senior vice president of clinical integration and physician services at Trinity Health, operating one of the largest and most successful accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the country, along with several other value-based contracts and care delivery models.”
The press release quoted Melanie Matthews, NAACOS board chair-elect and CEO of the Olympia, Washington-based PSW and MultiCare Connected Care organizations, as stating that “Emily is more than qualified to lead NAACOS into an important phase of implementing value-based care in our health system. With on-the-ground knowledge of running a health system’s value portfolio and demonstrated leadership in the field, she’s been able to expand NAACOS’s mission and enhance our leadership in provider-led value transformation,” Matthews said.
Ms. Brower commented, “I am honored to lead NAACOS during this pivotal period for our members and their work to improve the health of the people they serve. My career has spanned health care delivery from neighborhood practice to national health system, all within the accountable care environment with its challenges and great rewards. I am excited to bring my experiences to further NAACOS’ mission to advance provider-led transformation toward better care, improved health, and smarter spending.”
The press release went on to note that, “Prior to her role at Trinity, Ms. Brower served as vice president of population health at Atrius Health and spent 15 years with the Urban Medical group, a Massachusetts non-profit health care organization specializing in the care of medically complex populations. Ms. Brower received a BA from Smith College and MBA from the New York University Stern School of Business.”
