The Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) for CareQuest Institute is a strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer and CareQuest Institute�s leadership team providing insights to clinical aspects of CareQuest Institute�s functions with a dedication to health equity. This role is pivotal in leading the development and execution of innovative strategic initiatives to integrated oral healthcare for ethnically and socially diverse communities. This executive will be instrumental in positioning CareQuest Institute as the national leader of medical-dental integration.

The CCO will drive innovative strategic efforts to elevate the integration of oral health and overall health. The CCO will lead 2 functional teams (1) the Health Transformation team which guides care improvement initiatives and technical assistance to enable the transformation of the oral healthcare delivery systems, and (2) CareQuest Innovation Partners (CQIP) which validates and scales transformative solutions to improve overall health through oral health � for all.

Reporting to and working closely with the CEO, the CCO will also partner with the executive and senior leadership teams to develop and implement strategies across the organization. The CCO will also oversee enterprise-level efforts to advance medical-dental integration and provide guidance and clinical expertise to research, grant making, public policy development, and investments.

This includes comprehensive approaches to meet CareQuest Institute�s short- and long-term objectives. The CCO must adapt to a continually evolving environment, deeply understand population health improvement and research methodologies, have experience in MDI initiatives, a passion for healthcare innovation, and thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced workplace.

The CCO will establish themselves as a respected leader in advancing equitable clinical outcomes through integrated and innovative healthcare approaches. This leader will engage with professional and community organizations that align with CareQuest Institute�s mission and promote the well-being of individuals and society. The CCO will also sustain a mission-driven profile for CareQuest Institute by promoting core organizational values, goals, objectives, and programs. The leader will play an essential role in enterprise communications and brand activities, especially with professionally distinguished associations, academic and government environments, and other public relations forums.

Health Transformation Team

The Health Transformation team supports the organization�s mission of improving the oral health of all by providing evidence-based solutions to oral health professionals that improve patient outcomes. The team currently consists of up to eight employees geographically dispersed across several states.

Currently, the team is a convener and field driver that bridges the gap between our research and advocacy efforts. Their solutions put research and evidence into practice and generate experience and evidence that can be leveraged in pilots and other functions in the organization. The team identifies processes and approaches oral health professionals need to have in place to optimize their patients� experience and guide �how� they can make the improvements and measure results. Health Transformation�s work in care improvement is illustrated in recent reports evaluating projects in North Carolina and Ohio.

CareQuest Innovation Partners Team

The CareQuest Innovation Partners (CQIP) team focuses on the organization�s innovative solutioning of oral health issues and barriers. The team currently consists of 13 geographically dispersed employees across multiple states. While CQIP is a for-profit subsidiary of the nonprofit, CareQuest Institute, it�s mission and activities are aligned with the Institute and its impact measures align with CareQuest Institute�s mission and strategic priorities. CQIP works with many organizations across industries from payors, providers, strategic industry partners, investors, retailers/distributors and its portfolio investee companies.

CQIP�s current 3 focus areas are SMILE Health, innovation programs & services and impact investing.

1. SMILE Health is an accelerator for emerging startups

• Catalyzes emerging innovation and supports diverse founders through startup accelerator and other programs
• Ecosystem sensing and matching of innovators with industry leaders
• Convenes and activates mission-aligned organizations

1. Innovation programs & services strengthen our connection to the market, activating key decision makers

• Advisory services to influence and advance innovation across the health care ecosystem
• Partner with leading organizations, including payor and provider groups, to validate and scale innovative solutions and models, developing the business case for change

1. Impact investing helps fund promising solutions aligned with our mission

• Provides funding to innovative, mission-aligned, high-potential solutions
• Shapes unique oral and integrated health investments
• Focuses on positive impact first and financial return second

These 3 focus areas work together synergistically so opportunities in one area can become opportunities in another.

Key Responsibilities

The CCO must possess the following professional and personal attributes to effectively be a trusted leader within CareQuest Institute and successfully execute the responsibilities of this position:

• Functions as enterprise thought leader in clinical and health equity areas related to CareQuest Institute�s health improvement and innovation efforts.

• Leads team responsible for advancing sustainable integrated care models and serves as executive sponsor to enterprise-level MDI initiative as a convener and collaborator, focusing on equitable outcomes for marginalized and underserved communities.

• Leads the team responsible for CareQuest Innovation partners to validate and scale innovative health solutions while working with industry partners, startups and investors.

• Works collaboratively, interfaces with, and provides insights to other functions and groups across the organization such as Finance, Analytics and Data Insights, Policy and Government Affairs, etc.

• Drives clinical decision-making and strategy across the organization. Acts as an SME and adviser in these areas across the enterprise to support strategic activities, including research, philanthropy, innovation, impact investing, advocacy, and education and to champion oral health policies and approaches that are inclusive and equitable.

• Maintains superior professional and collaborative relationships internally and externally and develops strong ongoing interactions with providers, payors, strategic partners, professional staff, and affiliates that enhance and advance the organization�s mission, credibility and visibility across the health care ecosystem.

• Collaborates openly with others, including sharing scientific findings, best practices, and interpretations of policy and guidelines.

• Promotes oral health by teaching, training, and presenting information internally and externally about relevant research pertinent to the links between oral health and overall health.

• Builds upon the enterprise�s brand image through participation in a variety of thought leadership activities including conferences, expert panels, prospective partner meetings, national organizations, and interactions with oral health researchers and institutions.

• Inspire, initiate and bring people together � drive change in the ecosystem.

• Other duties as assigned.

Experience and Professional Qualifications

Oral Health, Healthcare, and Clinical Expertise

• Hold a DMD, DDS, DO or MD degree from an accredited institution.

• Demonstrated thought leader in the healthcare/oral health space.

• 15+ years of leadership experience providing clinical direction and supervising diverse teams.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the healthcare industry and oral health practices, policies, and standards.

• Strong experience using data to drive decisions and to support the organization�s projects and initiatives.

• Demonstrated innovation experience, such as leading complex organizations to create and pursue a portfolio of capability innovations, with significant program management responsibilities.

• Demonstrated experience in leading health improvement projects promoting care quality, accessibility and equity, leveraging data insights to drive decision-making.

• Executive-level experience in collaborative design and launch of new clinical programs and pilots testing product innovations. Focusing on equitable outcomes for underserved communities.

• Thorough knowledge of relevant research studies and quantitative methods.

• Experience leveraging technology to organize and analyze data and health records to improve healthcare outcomes.

• At least 10 years of experience managing direct reports, outside consultants, and project teams.

Health Equity, Population and Public Health Thought Leadership

• Must be well versed in the cultural, social, and economic dynamics that influence oral health care and the underlying efforts in adapting care delivery and health promotion in various cultural or socioeconomic settings.

• Comprehensive knowledge of population and public health principles, particularly concerning oral health, inclusive of how:
  
  • Social, political, and economic health determinants impact oral health care, coverage, access, and utilization.
  • To leverage the knowledge and experience to support advocacy to drive systematic changes in healthcare.
  • The economics of dental and oral health practices influence care delivery.

• Familiarity with policy development process in relation to achieving mission objectives.

• Respected influencer whose expertise, advocacy, and perspective on oral health and equitable outcomes inspire systematic change and innovation.

• Experience and knowledge of multi-ethnic and community-based clinical environments.

Personal and Leadership Characteristics

• Strategic thinker, thought leader, and brand ambassador who is articulate and has an engaging personality/charisma.

• Collaborative and respectful of colleagues and team members, invested in the success of the organization and others.

• Ability to influence others and to build consensus, while also having the ability to make decisions and to know when and how to delegate.

• Approaches work with a mission-driven perspective, demonstrating a commitment to leading and advancing solutions for systems change.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate, influence, and build connections/coalitions.

• Excellent public speaker who conveys gravitas and credibility to interact with senior industry and government officials effectively.

• Culture-oriented and demonstrates an ability to foster a transparent, inclusive, and values-driven environment.

• Strong advocate for their colleagues, the organization, and its needs.

• Strong business sense and acumen, including an ability to understand business situations, make sound and thoughtful decisions, and drive successful outcomes for the organization.

• Excellent analytical skills and data-driven approach.

• Innovative and curious thinker who is effective in leading change.