J. Brian Cassel, PhD, is a health services researcher at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine who focuses on financial outcomes of palliative care. He also assists palliative care teams in program design, implementation, and evaluation.

Kathleen Kerr is a partner in the consulting firm Transforming Care Partners. Her work is focused on promoting the development of sustainable, high-quality palliative care programs, with particular emphasis on payer-provider partnerships and supporting programs that serve Medicaid enrollees. Read More

Kate Meyers is a senior program officer with CHCF’s People-Centered Care team, which works to ensure that Californians — particularly those enrolled in Medi-Cal — receive responsive, comprehensive, and coordinated care that supports their health and well-being. Her work focuses on care for people with complex needs, including older adults and people with serious illnesses. Read More

Judy Thomas, JD, is CEO of the Coalition for Compassionate Care of California, which serves as the home of the palliative care and serious illness movement in California. She is an attorney with over 25 years of experience and a proven track record in changing health care standards of practice by combining public policy with practical implementation.