The Board of the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care (VPQHC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sharon Williams as executive director.
The board conducted a national search, with a focus on finding executive level experience and the skill set to respond to evolving expectations for VPQHC in this era of health care reform. In Sharon, we found an Executive Director who brings a broad and varied background in health care, as well as an inspirational leadership style.
Sharon’s experience includes over 20 years in health care operations and policy positions. Most recently, Sharon worked for a national insurance company as the executive director and president of one if its state plans. Throughout Sharon’s career she has applied her skills as a “change agent.” She has strengthened relationships among critical partners, including providers, public programs, and community organizations.
“I am excited about the opportunity to work with some of the nation’s thought leaders on quality in health. VPQ is an organization that has championed improving health care for Vermonters through its strategic stakeholders and evidence-based initiatives to improve quality in health care,” Sharon said. “I think of Vermont as a leader that consistently models best practices in health care. VPQ is dedicated to all of our customers whether they are consumers of health care, clinicians and systems providing health care, advocates, or our government agency partners.”
Sharon holds dual masters degrees in public policy and health administration from the University of Chicago and bachelor degrees in public relations and public affairs from Syracuse University. Sharon also completed competitive Policy Management Institutes at Carnegie Mellon and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University under a Sloan Fellowship.
The Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality in Vermont by studying the system and making it work better. VPQ analyzes health care data, coordinates efforts to improve health care practices, and makes policy recommendations. VPQ was created in 1988 by a coalition of health care providers, payers, employers, and consumers. The organization has been designated by the Vermont Legislature as an independent, non-regulatory, peer review committee.