Bizzell Awarded $34m CMS Contract to Improve Quality of Healthcare Programs

September 30, 2019 (Lanham, MD)— The Bizzell Group (Bizzell), one of the fastest growing health services and strategic management consulting firms, was selected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to lead the Data Validation and Administrative Contract (formerly known as the National Administrative Support). Bizzell will provide a broad range of healthcare quality improvement services involving support of the national data-driven initiatives to optimize health outcomes for persons and families while supporting clinicians, providers, and communities in improving health and healthcare of the population they serve.

Under the new contract, Bizzell will assume ownership of several task orders, providing support in data analytics, information technology, meeting planning, and communications. By assisting healthcare providers with quality improvement activities, Bizzell seeks to drive decreases in hospital admissions and readmissions, healthcare-associated infections (HAI), hospital-acquired conditions (HAC), adverse drug events (ADE), improvements in management of chronic diseases, and improvements in nursing home care quality.

“We are excited for the opportunity to continue working with CMS to build upon the foundation of the quality improvement programs and networks. We hope to help raise the standard of care administered across communities currently supported by CMS stakeholders”, says Dr. Anton C. Bizzell, President & CEO of The Bizzell Group.

CMS, through the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality’s (CCSQ) – Quality Improvement and Innovation Group (QIIG) has executed federally-mandated contracts to improve quality in a wide variety of settings through its Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) program and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network contracts. More recently, CMS has led quality improvement contracts with other organizations focused on specific networks of providers, including its Hospital Innovation and Improvement Networks (HIINs) and Transforming Clinical Practices Initiative (TCPi). Collectively, these organizations are accountable for providing technical assistance for quality improvement to healthcare delivery organizations including hospitals, nursing homes, primary and specialty care practices serving both large and small, rural and medically underserved communities. In achieving this work nationally, CMS has provided support to national contracts to facilitate achievement of the program aims.

About Bizzell

Established in 2010, The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) certified strategy, consulting and technology firm that specializes in program management, administrative support, communication & outreach, conference management & logistical support, health services & research, technical assistance, as well as training & development. Bizzell’s expert staff and consultants work on health, scientific, education, environment, research, and information technology projects that meet national priorities.

Under the leadership and vision of founder, Anton C. Bizzell, MD, the company has grown from a staff of two in one small office, to a thriving firm with three offices in Lanham, MD, Rockville, MD, and Atlanta, GA with ongoing projects across the world.

Bizzell Awarded CDC Contract to Assess Disparities in Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is excited to announce that our firm was recently awarded a new contract providing public health professional support services to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC), Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention-Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch. Under this contract, Bizzell staff will provide technical assistance in the areas of geographic information systems (GIS), statistical analyses, and health services and systems research for the GIS Capacity Building project.

Bizzell team members will assess the reduction of burdens and disparities in heart disease and stroke prevention through GIS mapping, provide technical assistance to project staff on the utility of GIS and the role of cartography, conduct geocoding, manage and provide statistical analyses of large databases (e.g. National Center for Health Statistics), and create manuscripts to showcase tabular results in support of health services and systems research to inform the field of this critical issue.

People First: Bringing Bizzell’s Values To Life

Lanham, MD—June 27, 2019 Dr. Nicole Crase is based out of the Lanham office but works remotely in Ohio, conducting 340B Program Audits. She is responsible for bridging resources between pharmacy practice and 340B Program integrity under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) contract. Dr. Crase’s responsibilities include leading all auditor training and education. This includes providing technical assistance to auditors and HRSA’s Office of Pharmacy Affairs. In addition, she provides pharmacy practice expertise in quality assurance review. She is a pharmacist by trade.

Q & A:

Bizzell tackles projects that impact public health issues locally/globally. How does your project/role align with this mission/strategy?

My responsibilities at Bizzell are focused on 340B Program Audits. The intent of the 340B Program is “to stretch scarce Federal resources as far as possible, reaching more patients and providing more comprehensive services.” This program is so important to the underserved population. Prior to coming to Bizzell in 2017, I focused 13 years helping to oversee the 340B Program, providing direct patient care for my underserved patients on a community health center level, opening an In-House Pharmacy and serving as a HRSA 340B Peer Mentor for 2 Leading Practice Sites. I gave 24 national presentations, 1 state presentation, and 3 collegiate presentations on topics of the 340B Program. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to continue my work with this program on the auditing side on behalf of HRSA. My role allows me the opportunity to not only see how the 340B Program is positively impacting the people in my own community but also around the country.

How do you demonstrate Bizzell’s core values inside/outside of the organizations? Within your respective community? Core Values: Excellence; Integrity; Innovation; People First/Professional Development/Diversity; Collaboration; Service?

I always try to exemplify Bizzell’s core values in everything that I do by striving for excellence and being a kind human. I think each day presents a new opportunity to strive to become a better person. My passion for healthcare has been exemplified in my medical mission work in Jamaica and Colombia as well as my medical contributions at the Ironman World Championships. At the Ironman World Championships this past October, I had the opportunity, along with another medical staffer, to take one of the top pro finishers from the medical tent out to the finish line to see his wife finish (who is also a pro athlete). Having once completed an Ironman 70.3 myself, being able to assist athletes and stand on that finish line on the world championship stage was an amazing moment for me as a pharmacist.

Another passion on mine is working with individuals with special needs. They bring so much joy to my life. I especially enjoy volunteering at an event each year called Night to Shine which is a prom night experience for these individuals. I also serve as a running guide at races for a wheelchair bound friend with muscular dystrophy. I’ve raced competitively since 2008 but racing to get another person to the finish line is so much more rewarding.

What do you enjoy most about working at Bizzell?

The work is interesting and challenging. Each day presents new opportunities for learning and I truly enjoy working with my team. I also appreciate the opportunity to work for a company that truly cares about making a difference.

Profound Quote from Dr. Crase:

“Each day is new and different, but you focus on your passion to serve your community and leave space for the unknown which allows for a great work/life blend.”

Public Health Expert, Former CDC Project Director Joins The Bizzell Group

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Bizzell Group Contact
Trevis Cage
Director of Communications
301-459-0100 ext. 130
www.thebizzellgroup.com

June 24, 2019 (Atlanta, GA) – Donna Elliston, DrPH, MSPH, joins The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) as Senior Associate in the Atlanta, GA office, where she will lead multiple projects and business development efforts. Dr. Elliston will oversee the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP), Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch (ESB) Public Health Professional Support Services Contract.

“Over the 20-year span of my career in public health, I’ve supported health promotion and disease prevention through strategic visions, diverse and incredible partnerships, and a heightened level of commitment to service,” says Dr. Elliston. “I’m excited to explore new opportunities to amplify the tremendous growth at Bizzell, by engaging with a global network of the best-in-class clients and experts.”

Dr. Elliston’s has extensive knowledge and expertise in applied research, program evaluation, and technical assistance. She previously led projects at CDC including the Breastfeeding-Implementing and Identifying Best Practices for Achieving Baby Friendly Designation within the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) and the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Community-Wide Initiative in Richmond County, Georgia, where she served as a subject matter expert in teen pregnancy prevention, adolescent and maternal & child health.

“I trust Dr. Elliston’s solid judgement that she brings from working at a very high level across branches of government and business,” says Anton Bizzell, M.D., President and CEO of The Bizzell Group. “Her track record of excellence and expertise align perfectly with the accomplished group of leaders at Bizzell.”

Dr. Elliston’s commitment to public health issues is evident in her educational background. She obtained a Doctorate in Public Health from Morgan State University, a Master of Science in Public Health from Meharry Medical College, and a Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College.

About The Bizzell Group

Established in 2010, The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) strategic management and consulting firm that specializes in Program & Project Management, Administrative Support, Communication & Outreach, Conference Management & Logistical Support, Health Services & Research, Technical Assistance, as well as Training & Development. Bizzell is a partner of choice for federal, state and local government agencies and private organizations. Bizzell’s expert staff and consultants work on health, scientific, education, environment, research, and information technology projects that meet national priorities.

Under the leadership and vision of founder, Dr. Anton C. Bizzell, the company has grown from a staff of two in one small office, to a thriving firm with three offices in Lanham, MD, Rockville, MD, and Atlanta, GA with ongoing projects across the world.

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