Our leadership

Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Sue Birch to serve as HCA director in January 2018. As HCA director, she is focused on transforming the health care delivery system to better serve those for whom we purchase care, while keeping health care costs in check.

A nurse by training, Birch is passionate about improving population health and reducing overmedicalization by focusing on the social determinants of health. She has led Washington’s efforts to ensure Apple Health (Medicaid)-eligible children are continuously covered through six years of age, as well as working to:

• Increase access to treatment and public education.
• Eliminate hepatitis C through innovative value-based drug purchasing.
• Implement a Medicaid benefit for supportive housing and supported employment.
• Much more.

Under Birch’s leadership, Washington implemented Cascade Care, the first-in-nation public option aimed at improving access to high-quality, affordable health care.

Before joining HCA, Sue spent nearly seven years as the executive director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, where she led the state’s successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Sue also served as chief executive officer of the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association.

Why she works at HCA

It is an honor to be a public servant and an executive leader for health care policy and financing. I am passionate about working on behalf of the public and serving Washington residents.

Follow Sue on Twitter: @WaHCADirector.

Lou provides leadership and oversight across the agency. Lou’s team includes:

• Jody Costello, director of Administrative Services
• Micheal Brown, director of Audit, Integrity, and Oversight
• Aren Sparck, Tribal Affairs administrator
• Kennedy Soileau, chief communications officer
• Linda Richardson, executive assistant

Lou led the HCA Employees and Retirees Benefits Division for five years, overseeing public employee insurance benefit programs that cover employees and retirees of state agencies, school districts, and other eligible public and tribal employer groups. He also led the implementation of an ambitious and innovative plan to enhance the state’s approach to worksite wellness.

A longtime public servant, Lou also has held management positions at the Department of Corrections and the Department of Social and Health Services.

Why he works for HCA

I want to contribute to the health and well-being of our fellow Washingtonians and I believe that this organization is uniquely situated to make that happen.

Charissa oversees the Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) program, which provides more than 2 million Washington residents with integrated physical and behavioral health services. Charissa’s team includes:

• Jason McGill, assistant director of Medicaid Programs
• DorothyAnne Bergman, executive assistant

Charissa, a family doctor specializing in addiction medicine, is HCA’s deputy chief medical officer and previously served as chief medical officer for Public Health-Seattle and King County.

Megan served as chief financial officer for HCA from 2005-2008, and rejoined us in 2017. She most recently worked as assistant director for budget at the Department of Transportation, and also has held senior positions for both the Department of Social and Health Services Economic Services Administration, and the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

The Financial Services Division manages multiple fiscal needs for the agency, including budget preparation and monitoring, accounting and payroll, forecasting, and rate setting.

Why she works for HCA

Working at HCA is a wonderful and challenging opportunity to work with very talented and dedicated individuals. I enjoy the intricacies of health care finance and purchasing, combined with our agency’s large and complex administrative budget.

Jody is responsible for the complex operational components of the agency, including legal services, employee resources, and planning and performance. Jody’s team includes:

• Kari Karch, assistant director of Planning and Performance
• Annette Schuffenhauer, chief legal officer
• Robin Vazquez, director of Employee Resources

Why she works for HCA

I have a strong commitment to public service and I am honored to serve the residents of Washington.

Dave provides direction and support for long-term benefits strategy, benefit contracting efforts, and operations of the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program and the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program. He also supports meetings of both programs’ board meetings and the state’s collective bargaining process for benefits. Dave has worked with the ERB Division in various capacities since February 2012, first as an assistant attorney general, next as an agency legal manager, and now as the director.

Why he works for HCA

Ensuring PEBB and SEBB Program members have access to the best and most robust benefits possible is a rewarding experience. Being able to improve benefits that are accessed during challenging circumstances—whether as part of an emergency room visit, as the result of a recent disability, or after the death of a loved one—is an important responsibility that keeps me motivated to do my best every day. I love coming to work each day because HCA staff are so committed to ensuring the best experience for Washingtonians.

Teesha leads the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) at the Health Care Authority (HCA). With a background in non-profit and state government, Teesha brings nearly 20 years of experience to her role. She has served in multiple capacities at the agency including recovery supports supervisor, senior project manager, and DBHR deputy director. Prior to joining HCA in July 2018, she specialized in supported employment at the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

Teesha is dedicated to fostering collaboration and strategic thinking to address complex behavioral health issues. In her current position, she oversees the agency's treatment and recovery programs, providing leadership and management to achieve DBHR's objectives, goals, and mission.

Why she works at HCA

My commitment to HCA is driven by a desire to ensure that DBHR integrates the full spectrum of behavioral healthcare services, including mental health, co-occurring disorders, substance use, problem gambling, and recovery supports. This approach allows DBHR to effectively meet the diverse needs of individuals across the continuum of care.

Taylor is responsible for leveraging technology and person-centered design principles to enhance our internal and external customer experience. Her team includes:

• Jerry Britcher, chief information officer
• Trinity Wilson, director of Medicaid Customer Service

Taylor joined HCA in 2016, and most recently led HCA’s Medicaid Customer Service Division, setting the vision for high-quality, responsive customer service support for Apple Health clients and providers. Prior to joining HCA she served in managerial and operational roles at the state Department of Health.

Why she works for HCA

I love pushing the envelope and exploring what is possible! The world around us is constantly evolving, and so are the needs of those we serve. I have a passion for public service, specifically with improving work processes to support the health care delivery system, and those in need of our critical services.

Mich’l oversees policy innovation, health equity, and new projects seeking to transform the health care delivery system. The Strategy, Policy, and Innovation Division also oversees legislative relations and supports policy and program development throughout the agency. Before joining HCA in 2017, Mich'l most recently served as the senior policy analyst for the Senate Health Care Committee overseeing federal health care issues, including Medicaid and the Health Benefit Exchange, as well as commercial insurance.

Why she works for HCA

I am passionate about the opportunities to improve access to health care, while working on options to reform the delivery system and payment of care. HCA offers a great opportunity to influence health care purchasing and work with a range of dynamic issues.

Kennedy leads strategic communications for the agency. Her team helps tell the story of the innovative programs and initiatives that aim to provide equitable access to high-quality, high-value care.

She has worked at HCA since 2016, first as Policy Communications Manager, then as Deputy Chief Communications Officer. Prior to joining HCA, Kennedy was the associate director of communications for the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. She began her career as a journalist.

Why she works at HCA

Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to be as healthy as possible, and thus our health system should be accessible and understandable to everyone. I enjoy helping translate our complex health system so that all people can access the care they need when they need it.

Judy is a general internal medicine physician and is passionate about state level health policy. She is focused on building on and aligning work including value-based payment models, the state’s Medicaid Transformation initiative, health equity, collaboration with stakeholders, and innovative use of data. Judy’s team includes:

• JoEllen Colson, deputy clinical strategy and operations manager
• Heather Schultz, associate medical director
• Chris Chen, associate medical director
• Donna Sullivan, chief pharmacy officer
• Vishal Chaudhry, chief data officer
• Beth Tinker, clinical nurse specialist
• Jessica Blose, behavioral health clinical support manager

She has served as chief medical officer for the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. She has extensive experience in designing and implementing benefits, specifically in Medicaid programs, and was instrumental in implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in Colorado.

Why she works at HCA

States are where the action is! HCA positively impacts the health of Washingtonians with our innovative work for Medicaid and state and school employees. I like working to solve hard health care problems with smart dedicated staff.