Jennifer is the Executive Vice President of Convergence Health Consulting. With extensive experience in research and analytical approaches to monitoring efforts, Jennifer provides analytic and quality improvement expertise while leading major demonstration and research projects for government, commercial, and non-profit organizations. Jennifer is an expert in healthcare access, cost, quality, and outcomes, as well as state-level health reform efforts, testing reporting mechanisms, and implementing demonstration projects. 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

  • MS, Health Services Research, University of Minnesota 
  • BS, Psychology, UCLA 
  • Senior Research Fellow, University of Minnesota 
  • Truven Health Analytics 

EDUCATION

  • Master of Science in Health Services Research (MS) – University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (BA) – University of California, Los Angeles, CA 

NOTABE PUBLICATIONS:

  • Ricards, J. and Blewett, L. (2014). Making Use of All-Payer Claims Databases for Health Care Reform Evaluation. State Health Access Data Assistance Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Blewett, L., Karaca-Mandic, P., Ricards, J., Choi, S., and Huang, T. Using Insurer Filings to Monitor the Private Health Insurance Market (2014). State Health Access Data Assistance Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Burgess, D. J., van Ryn, M., Grill, J., Noorbaloochi, S., Griffin, J. M., Ricards, J., & Partin, M.R. (2011). Presence and correlates of racial disparities in adherence to colorectal cancer screening guidelines. Journal of General Internal Medicine.
  • Fu, S. S., Burgess, D. J., van Ryn, M., Rhodes, K., Widome, R., Ricards, J., Noorbaloochi, S., Clothier, B., Su, J., & Joseph, A. M (2010). Smoking-cessation strategies for American Indians: Should smoking-cessation treatment include a prescription for a complete home smoking ban?  American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

PAST WORK

  • SHADAC, University of Minnesota – Senior Research Fellow
  • Truven Health Analytics – Senior Analyst
  • Southern California Safety Collaborative – Project Manager
  • Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, VA Medical Center – Health Science Specialist