06 May Compliance Conference Keynote Session
REMARKS BY OPWDD ACTING COMMISSIONER BAER, DQI UPDATES, AND NURSING AND QUALITY ASSURANCE IN HEALTHCARE SERVICES
OPWDD leaders from the Division of Quality Improvement will discuss essentials and best practices in the design and implementation of Quality Improvement Plans. This session will include practical tips for putting your QI plan into practice and the use of various tools and strategies to drive impactful quality improvement projects to enhance service quality and individual satisfaction and outcomes creating an organizational culture of quality.
Click HERE for the presentation.
Presenters
Willow Baer, Acting Commissioner, NYS OPWDD
Willow Baer is honored to serve as Acting Commissioner at OPWDD. Prior to stepping up as Acting Commissioner, Willow served as OPWDD’s Executive Deputy Commissioner and oversaw the agency’s operational management, including planning, fiscal planning and oversight, and policy development. She was also responsible for oversight of agency staff in a broad range of capacities, including direct care support, clinical and medical staff in residential and nonresidential settings, maintenance and operations.
Willow has served twice as Assistant Counsel to Governor Kathy Hochul, overseeing legal priorities and legislation across the fields of Human Services and Mental Hygiene. Additionally, Willow previously served as General Counsel to OPWDD, General Counsel and Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Children & Family Services, and as Counsel to the NYS Justice Center.
Willow has spent her entire career working to protect and advocate for underrepresented populations. She will continue the agency’s work to ensure that New York is a state that is inclusive, supportive, and one that those with developmental disabilities live with meaningful choice and are proud to call home.
Megan O’Connor-Hebert, Deputy Commissioner, DQI, NYS OPWDD
Megan O’Connor-Hebert has recently returned to OPWDD as Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Quality Improvement. In this role, she oversees the Bureau of Program Certification, Incident Management Unit, Continuous Quality Improvement Unit and the Data Analysis and Evaluation Team. Megan began her career as a direct support professional and her career has included progressive leadership positions in the Developmental Disabilities field.
Megan has over 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector and 10 years in government leadership at both the NYS Commission on Quality of Care as well as OPWDD. Most recently, Megan served as Chief Administrative Officer for a Care Coordination Organization. Megan received her BA in Psychology at Siena College and her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Albany. Megan has served on various boards through the years. Megan is excited to be back at OPWDD as part of the Leadership team and looks forward to advancing the quality strategy ensuring that New Yorkers with developmental disabilities receive quality supports and services to live fulfilling lives.