Caitlin Thomas-Henkel is a health policy leader with extensive experience working in clinical, government, and nonprofit settings. She has collaborated with states, providers, law enforcement, and health systems to advance behavioral health integration, prepare for value-based payment, redesign delivery models, and implement alternative workforce strategies for people with complex health and social needs.

Prior to joining HMA, Ms. Thomas-Henkel worked as a senior program officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies where she spearheaded several national initiatives supporting providers, pharmacies, and health systems to create effective care models and develop sustainable financing. She collaborated with New Jersey state agencies to design and implement an office-based addiction treatment model for Medicaid members with substance use disorders. She also provided technical assistance to states participating in the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation State Innovation Models initiative and led a learning collaborative for Rhode Island’s Medicaid accountable entities.

She previously served as deputy director of policy at the Rhode Island Senate, staffing the Health and Human Services Committee. During her tenure, Ms. Thomas-Henkel helped strengthen mental health parity law, oversaw a study that advanced legislation for emergency department diversion, and oversaw hearings focused on reforming the child welfare system.

As director of the Mayor’s Substance Abuse Prevention Council in Providence, Rhode Island, she led a nationally recognized community substance abuse prevention coalition. She worked closely with the Providence Police Department to provide crisis intervention training to officers and partnered with Lifespan Health System and Brown University to adopt policies that increased awareness of addiction as a chronic disease.

Ms. Thomas-Henkel earned her master’s degree in clinical social work from Boston University, with a macro (policy) certificate, and a bachelor’s degree in child development and education from the University of New Hampshire.