Staff

Jeanne  O'Brien 

Chief Executive Officer
Jeanne O'Brien

Ms. O’Brien has been a C-­‐level executive for over 20+ years with significant accomplishments in the healthcare industry. She has had unique success guiding providers from diverse, competitive settings to come together to forge new organizational entities. Her vision, persistence, and grace in the face of ambiguity and a challenging environment have consistently helped organizations find pathways to clinical and economic sustainability.

Prior to the VCA, Ms. O’Brien was the Vice President of River Health ACO, the largest ACO in Central Pennsylvania. Previously she held significant positions at Boston Medical Center and BMC HealthNet Plan, was the Vice President of Network Development for a multi-­‐hospital system, and was the Chief Operating Officer of two Independent Practice Associations.

Ms. O’Brien obtained her bachelor’s degree from Curry College, a Masters in Management from Lesley University, and executive training from Harvard Business School.

Kirsten  Anderson MD

Chief Medical Officer
Kirsten Anderson MD

Dr. Anderson's career has focused on population health management, improving patients’ health through implementation of evidence-based medicine and best practices for medical cost containment. Her experience also includes program development in the post-acute care environment, as a Vice President at Kindred Healthcare and Chief Clinical Officer at CareCentrix.

Prior positions include Chief Medical Officer for Accountable Care Solutions for Aetna, part of Healthagen, where she guided clinical strategy, promoted sales and retention of customers, and designed new programs to work collaboratively with Aetna’s health system accountable care partners. Her clinical experience includes working as a general internist in primary care in Wallingford, CT, and serving as medical director for a multispecialty physician organization.

Dr. Anderson is a graduate of Harvard College and obtained her medical degree from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. She received her M.P.H. from the Columbia University School of Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology, and completed her residency in internal medicine at Yale-New Haven Hospital. She is board certified in Internal Medicine.

Kathryn  Steckowych PharmD

Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator
Kathryn Steckowych PharmD

As the clinical pharmacy coordinator for Value Care Alliance, Dr. Steckowych’s role will focus on implementing pharmacy initiatives to increase evidence-based medication prescribing, lower pharmaceutical costs, and improve medication-related quality of care for medical practices across the alliance.

Prior to joining Value Care Alliance, Dr. Steckowych completed a one-year clinical pharmacy residency at Coastal Medical, Inc. in Rhode Island. As a resident in an Accountable Care Organization, Dr. Steckowych worked as an embedded pharmacist in three primary care practices, where she provided direct patient care and population health services for patients with chronic conditions.

After her residency, Dr. Steckowych completed a two-year health services research fellowship in Pharmacy Practice Transformation at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy. Her fellowship focused on community-based practice transformation efforts to expand the role of the pharmacist into value-based primary care settings. Dr. Steckowych received her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy in 2015.

Georgia  Pelletier MSOL, BSN, RN, CLNC

Director of Population Health
Georgia Pelletier MSOL, BSN, RN, CLNC

Georgia Pelletier has 32 years of diverse clinical and surgical nursing expertise, and Clinical Informatics experience. Prior to joining the VCA, Georgia was a nurse at a primary care office, a charge nurse on an 80-bed medical/surgical unit, an open heart surgical cardiovascular scrub nurse, an Assistant Director of Nursing for a 140-bed long-term care facility, and a Clinical Nurse Informatics specialist. She expertly assisted in bringing several different organizations from paper to electronic charting, and became an expert in multiple electronic medical record software platforms. She is trained in LEAN methodology and Kaizen events for process improvement.

Georgia holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Healthcare Management. She is also a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Georgia’s primary focus for the VCA is managing the population health initiative and working closely with the care coordination teams from each of the organizations within the alliance. She heads a team of three community health workers and one behavioral health social worker, which is focused on improving the health of the community by addressing social determinants of health around the Community and Clinical Integration Program. This includes comprehensive care management, health equity improvement and behavioral health integration. Her focus population is individuals with complex healthcare needs, individuals experiencing health equity gaps and individuals with unidentified behavioral health needs.

Tracy  Raab MPA, CMC

Administrative Operations Specialist
Tracy Raab MPA, CMC

Tracy has a wealth of experience in care management and program administration. Prior to joining the VCA, Tracy was a Senior Care Consultant in the Enhanced Personal Health Care program at Anthem. Prior to that role, she was the Program Manager for the Money Follows the Person demonstration for Connecticut Community Care, Inc., providing education and outreach to facilities, providers, and consumers while focusing heavily on quality improvement. Tracy is trained in LEAN methodology and Kaizen events for process improvement.

Tracy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, with an emphasis in Community Clinical Services. She is certified by the National Association of Certified Care Managers in care management. Tracy is helping the VCA improve the health of the community by providing guidance around specific Community and Clinical Integration Program goals, as well as other value-based commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare contract goals. Tracy also assists in all the operational facets of an Accountable Care Organization.

Tyler  Eggett 

Data Analyst
Tyler Eggett

Tyler Eggett has over 20 years of information technology and healthcare experience. Prior to joining the VCA, Tyler was a Quality Analyst for Stamford Health Partners, a Director of Information Technology for SureHire Occupation Services, Informatics Consultant for Alberta Health Services, and an IT Engineer in the financial and healthcare industries. He also worked as a medic, medical assistant and trauma assistant.

Tyler holds degrees in Public Health, Physiology and Environmental Science. He is currently completing advanced degrees and certifications in Geographic Information Systems and Azure/AWS services. Tyler’s primary focus for the VCA is developing and directing the analytic infrastructure to support its clinical efforts.

Valayshia  Brookins 

Behavioral Health Social Worker
Valayshia Brookins

Valayshia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Cedar Crest College in 2012, and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, including the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination, from the University of Bridgeport. She is certified as an Advance Care Planning Facilitator, and is a member of the American Counseling Association and the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Valayshia has six years of experience working with at-risk individuals and community agencies to help increase her clients’ level of confidence that they can care for themselves. Her caseload included adults, children and homeless individuals with a wide range of cultures and ethnic backgrounds, and individuals diagnosed with physical and/or mental health conditions. As the VCA Behavioral Health Social Worker, Valayshia conducts full assessments, works with clients to create personal and family-centered goal plans, and provides clients with tangible information to increase the levels of access and engagement with community resources.

Brian  Gomez 

Community Health Worker
Brian Gomez

Brian is the Community Health Worker for the Middletown and Derby region. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Sciences with a minor in Psychology from The University of Connecticut in 2014 and is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. Brian’s professional experience includes serving as a shelter supervisor and fostering youth development through community awareness. He has worked with a wide range of clients, including inner city high schools in a multi-cultural environment.

Alex  Aponte 

Community Health Worker
Alex Aponte

Alex is the Community Health Worker for the Bridgeport region. His professional experience includes more than 30 years as a job coach, counselor and case manager. Alex has worked with a wide range of clients, connecting them with providers and specialists in the fields of substance abuse, medical and behavioral health. Alex also builds bridges with case management services for individuals with co-occurring disorders. Alex is fluent in Spanish and English and is certified in: The Milestones of Adjustment Post-Psychosis (MAPP) Recovery Model through Yale University; Mental Health First Aid - NCCBH; Group Facilitation and Family Therapy through Recovery Network of Programs Training Institute; Comprehensive Training in Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment through the West Institute; and Motivational and Enhancement Therapy.