Suggestions
Dana Safran
Senior Vice President, Value Based Care & Population Health at WELL Health, Inc.
Professional Background
Dana Safran is an internationally recognized health care executive, measurement scientist, and health policy thought leader with an impressive track record of accomplishment in both business and academia. With a distinguished career spanning various prestigious organizations, Dana has become widely credited for her pivotal role in advancing the national efforts towards value-based payment systems and the empirical data that supports the movement towards patient-centered care.
Currently, Dana serves as the Senior Vice President of Value Based Care & Population Health at WELL Health, Inc. In this capacity, she leads the organization’s strategic entry into the payer and Accountable Care Organization (ACO) markets, establishing a robust enterprise-wide measurement function that is critical for enhancing health care delivery. WELL Health is renowned for its innovative approach to digital health solutions, using dynamic, personalized, and secure communications to engage patients through their preferred channels – whether texting, email, telephone, or web chat.
Before joining WELL Health, Dana held the position of Head of Measurement, Insurance Markets and Benefit Redesign at Haven, a groundbreaking health care venture backed by industry giants Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, and JPMorgan Chase. As a member of the founding executive team, Dana played an instrumental role in shaping the venture’s data and analytics initiatives, alongside spearheading innovative insurance market strategies and benefit redesign efforts that aligned with consumer needs.
Dana’s expertise extends to her previous role as Chief Performance Measurement & Improvement Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. In this role, she was a key architect of the Alternative Quality Contract (AQC), a transformative payer-provider collaboration aimed at reducing costs while maintaining and improving health care quality. Her work leveraged principles from behavioral economics and showcased her adeptness at driving collaborative initiatives in the health care ecosystem.
Prior to her tenure at BCBSMA, Dana directed a research institute at Tufts University School of Medicine, where she dedicated her efforts to developing patient-reported measures of health and health care quality. This position solidified her status as a thought leader in measurement science and helped inform policy decisions that enhance patient care.
In addition to her executive roles, Dana serves as a Commissioner on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), evidencing her deep engagement in shaping health care payment systems at a national level. She has also contributed to many advisory roles across various local, national, and international organizations and government agencies, focusing on data utilization and measurement to improve health care quality, outcomes, and affordability through innovative payment models, consumer engagement, and provider performance improvement.
Education and Achievements
Dana Safran's educational background is rooted in a robust foundation in health policy. She earned both her Master of Science and Doctor of Science degrees in Health Policy from the Harvard School of Public Health, institutions known for cultivating leaders in public health and policy. Her academic journey laid the groundwork for her expertise and her ability to navigate the intersection of health care, analytics, and policy-making.
Before embarking on her graduate studies, Dana received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Government from Wesleyan University. This combination of disciplines has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the scientific and legislative aspects of health care, an insight that proves invaluable in her various roles.
Throughout her career, Dana has achieved numerous accolades and milestones that underscore her contribution to health policy and measurement science. As an influential speaker and thought leader, she has been invited to present at numerous national and international conferences, sharing her insights on value-based care, patient-centered approaches, and innovative health care solutions.
Dana’s expertise is also reflected in her engagement with various prominent organizations, reinforcing her reputation as a leader in health care transformation. Her contributions have been integral to advancing the conversation around health care quality and affordability in the U.S. and beyond.
Notable Achievements
- Leading Value-Based Initiatives: At WELL Health, Dana is pivotal in steering the organization into critical markets, enhancing its role in the broader health care landscape by implementing advanced measurement functions.
- Innovative Solutions at Haven: Her foundational work at Haven is notable in establishing a data-driven approach to benefit redesign in health care, contributing significantly to effective insurance market adaptations.
- Transformation at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts: Dana’s architectural involvement in the AQC demonstrates her innovative approach to integrating behavioral economics with health care performance measurement, showcasing her unique ability to foster collaboration between payers and providers.
- Research Contributions: Through her leadership at Tufts University's research institute, Dana has influenced the development of patient-reported measures, significantly impacting how health care quality is assessed and improved.
- National Advisory Role: As a member of MedPAC, her insights into Medicare payment innovations directly affect legislative frameworks and health policy development aimed at bettering health care delivery in the United States.
Dana Safran’s career exemplifies a relentless pursuit of excellence in health care measurement and policy innovation. With a solid foundation, vast experience, and a visionary approach, she is undoubtedly a significant force in advancing health care toward a more equitable and efficient future.
