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NICHQ Board of Directors Welcomes Dr. Charlene Collier and Dr. Stephen Cha 

January 5, 2021

BOSTON – Two national experts in health care transformation have been elected to the National Institute for Children’s Healthy Quality (NICHQ) Board of Directors. Charlene Collier, MD, MPH, and Steve Cha, MD, both bring unique experiences and skills in improving health care services. 

"Dr. Collier’s expertise in high quality, equitable perinatal care and Dr. Cha’s expertise in health policy and care innovation will support NICHQ in our continued work to eliminate health disparities and ensure all children reach their optimal health,” said NICHQ CEO Scott D. Berns, MD, MPH, FAAP. “We are delighted to welcome such proven health leaders to our board.” 

Charlene Collier, MD, MPH, MHS 

Dr. Charlene Collier is Medical Director, Bureau of Maternal and Infant Dr. Charlene CollierHealth, at the Mississippi State Department of Health in Jackson, Miss. She is also Director and Co-Founder of the Mississippi Perinatal Quality Collaborative and chairs the Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Dr. Collier practices Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. In addition to her duties as an associate professor, she co-chairs the Ob/Gyn Department’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force. She is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Obstetrics Practice as well as the Executive Committee of the National Network of Perinatal Quality Collaboratives.   

“I am excited to serve as the first Ob/Gyn on the NICHQ board to support NICHQ’s commitment to work upstream,” said Dr. Collier. “We can improve infant and child health by addressing maternal health and pursuing equity in care and outcomes.”   

Steve Cha, MD 

Dr. Stephen Cha is Chief Medical Officer of UnitedHealthcare CommunityDr. Cha & State, where he oversees clinical strategies and programs while acting as the liaison for critical clinical initiatives. He also plays key role in clinical thought leadership and serves as a subject matter expert in care decisions throughout UnitedHealthcare Community & State. Prior to joining UnitedHealthcare, Dr. Cha served as the Group Director in the State Innovation Group at the Center for Medicare Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). In addition to being a practicing physician, he has served as the Chief Medical Officer at the Center for Medicaid CHIP Services (CMCS). Dr. Cha has a strong background in dynamic health policy thought leadership, health care transformation, and quality reporting.

"NICHQ has been a key leader in improving health equity and health care for kids in this country," said Dr. Cha. "I'm thrilled to be a part of their efforts."

Read more about all the members of NICHQ’s Board of Directors.