Changes at the top at Wood River Health Services
By Dave Henley
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| New CEO and President |
Wood River Health Services Board of Directors Chair Robin
Devin announced this week that Alison Croke, of South Kingstown, will be the
new President and CEO of the health center starting in September. Croke is
currently vice president of Medicaid-Medicare integration at Neighborhood Health
Plan of Rhode Island.
“The Board is very
pleased to have a seasoned healthcare professional such as Alison as the next
leader of WRHS,” Devin said.
“Alison has over 23 years of experience in various positions
in the healthcare field including healthcare research, policy analysis,
consumer engagement, project management, NCQA accreditation, Medicaid and
Medicare services and benefits management, and healthcare advocacy. She has
been engaged in program management, primary care program development, health policy
work, strategic planning, staff management, and other critical areas to support
the delivery of healthcare and related services to safety net patients and
their families.”
Croke will replace Michael Lichtenstein, who has led the
health center since 2010.
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| Outgoing chief Michael Lichtenstein |
“Alison brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will
greatly benefit Wood River Health Services and the community we serve,”
Lichtenstein said. “I am delighted with the Board's selection, and I look
forward to working with Alison to create a smooth transition of leadership for
the organization.”
Prior to her current position at Neighborhood Health Plan,
Croke worked with the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human
Services as an Assistant Project Manager and as Senior Health Program
Development Specialist, developing new managed-care programs for Medicaid
clients such as RIte Smiles and Rhody HealthPartners.
Croke has also worked as a senior project manager at
Neighborhood and as Program Officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies in
Princeton, N.J., developing systems of care for for people with chronic illness
and disabilities, children with special needs and other vulnerable populations.
She holds an undergraduate degree in biological sciences
from the University of Vermont and a master’s degree in health administration
from the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical College of Virginia.
“In addition to her professional expertise, she is a
thoughtful, engaging and a genuinely nice person,” Devin added. “I fully expect
that she will build on what the staff has accomplished in recent years, and she
will continue the fine work of leading this outstanding community health center
well into the future.”
Wood River Health Services is the Federally Qualified Community
Health Center for southwestern Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut,
providing medical and dental care and social services to over 7,000 area
residents.
The center also administers the area WIC (Women, Infants and
Children) Nutrition Program, provides a nationally recognized chronic disease
management program, has available onsite lab testing in cooperation with
Westerly Hospital, including blood work, x-ray and mammography, and provides behavioral
and mental health counseling and referrals.
Sliding scale payments are available to those who qualify.
Wood River Health Services is located at 823 Main St., Hope
Valley (on Route 3 south of the village, just off Route I-95 at Exit 2). For
more information, call (401) 539-2461 or visit www.woodriverhealthservices.org.