Primary Care Summit Agenda (Subject to Change)
8:15-9:00 – Registration and Check In (Continental Breakfast)
9:00-9:05 – Welcome – Jeff Ricketts and Sandy Chung, Virginia Task Force on Primary Care Co-Chairs
Current State of Primary Care
9:05-10:15 Primary Care Environment
- Why Primary Care is Essential to Better Value – Sandy Chung, MD
- The State of Primary Care in Virginia – Lauryn Walker, PhD, RN, MPH
- Primary Care Clinicians Are Not OK – Bob Phillips, MD
10:15-10:25 Break
10:25-11:10 Primary Care Patient and Community Experiences
- Virginia Community Level Data Overview – Steve Horan, PhD (Community Health Solutions)
- Growing Philanthropic Needs – Rachel Rees, MPA (Virginia Health Care Foundation)
- Community Health Worker Perspective – Stephanie Toney (CHW Strength)
Making the System Better
11:10-12:00 Advancing Primary Care Payment
- APCM Codes – Alex Krist, MD, MPH
- Primary Pathways Integrated Care Payments – David Dorbad, MD (Renaissance Pediatrics), Robert Krebbs (Sentara Health Plan), Alyssa Ward (Elevance)
12:00-1:00 Awards Lunch
1:00-1:10 Break
1:10-2:30 Supporting the Workforce
- Virginia Joy in Healthcare – Steve Horan, PhD (moderator)
- Panel: Stephen Combs, MD (Ballad Health), Andreya Risser, MD (Bon Secours), Lisa Uherick, MD (Carilion Clinic)
- Ambient AI – Charles Frazier, MD
- Direct Primary Care – Kenneth Qiu, MD
- APPs: Opportunities and Challenges – Shelly Smith, PhD, DNP
- Virginia Primary Care Innovation Hub – Steve Horan, PhD
1:00-1:10 Break
2:30-2:40 Afternoon Snack
Primary Care and Virginia Policy Outlook
2:40-3:25 – Emerging Issues for Virginia and the General Assembly – Sarah Stanton, JCHC
3:25-4:25 – Roundtable Session: Building a Unified Voice for Primary Care
4:25-5:00 – Networking
CME Provided through VAFP.
Sandy Chung, MD
CEO, Trusted Doctors, Immediate Past President- AAP, Virginia Chapter; President, American Academy of Pediatrics
Sandy Chung, MD, FAAP, FACHE, has held over 30 state and national leadership positions, including Co-Chair of the Virginia Task Force on Primary Care, national President of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), President of the Virginia Chapter of the AAP, Founder and Medical Director of the Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP), and Medical Director of Informatics for Children’s National Hospital’s Pediatric Health Network. She is the CEO of Trusted Doctors, a pediatric practice of over 300 clinicians in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Her passionate advocacy for child health and pediatricians has delivered major advancements in healthcare equity, mental health, EHR burden reduction, support or primary care, physician well-being, and optimal child health policies. She is the recipient of multiple awards including March of Dimes Lifetime Heroine Award recognizing a lifetime of community volunteerism, the Clarence A. Holland Award for providing outstanding contributions to the community and demonstrating leadership in the field of political advocacy, and Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare recognizing individuals who are the most influential individuals in healthcare the country in terms of leadership and impact. As an avid educator of the next generation of pediatricians, her publications include articles on youth mental health, telemedicine, virtual learning, and health information technology. Dr. Chung received her medical degree from the University of Virginia and completed her pediatric residency at the Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital. She has appeared in numerous media outlets including the Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, Contemporary Pediatrics, and USAToday. Dr. Chung is the proud mother of four amazing children who teach her something new every day.
Stephen P. Combs, M.D., C.P.E, C.P.H.Q., F.A.C.F.E., F.A.A.P.
Vice-President and Chief Medical Officer Ballad Health Medical Associates Chairman, AnewCare Accountable Care Organization
Dr. Stephen Combs has practiced Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care for over 30 years. Most recently he has served the last 8 years as Chief Medical Officer for Ballad Health Medical Associates. Prior to this role he served in multiple administrative roles as Chief Medical Officer, Chief of Staff and Medical Director of Pediatric Intensive Care Services. He is also recognized for his work in Pediatric Vaccine research and advocacy (DTaP and HPV vaccines).
He completed undergraduate degrees at East Tennessee State University and obtained graduate medical, business, physician wellness and organizational leadership degrees/training at Duke University, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler School of Business, Stanford University and George Mason University, respectively. He is a Certified Physician Executive and Certified Professional in HealthCare Quality. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Medical Society of Virginia and as President of the Sullivan County (Tennessee) Medical Society of the Tennessee Medical Association.
One of his responsibilities as CMO was the unification of 10 large multispecialty medical groups (850+ providers) created when 2 large regional health systems merged. Part of this unification included a focus on systems standardization, enhanced EMR utilization and Clinician Wellness. This led to the successful application and recognition in the American Medical Association’s Joy in Medicine Program.
David Dorbad, MD, FAAP
Pediatrician, Partner, Renaissance Pediatrics
David Dorbad MD/MBA, FAAP is an owner and practices primary care at Renaissance Pediatrics in Chesapeake, Virginia. He studied undergraduate at University of Virginia and medical training at Eastern Virginia Medical School and Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. He continued his studies in business at the College of William and Mary. He has served on the Board of Managers and Clinical Care Committee for Fortify Children’s Health
His clinical focus includes preventative medicine, asthma care, headaches, behavioral medicine, and newborn care. He also teaches at EVMS on caring for LGBTQIA patients.
Charles Frazier, MD
Senior Vice President & CMIIO, Riverside Health System
Charles O. Frazier, MD, FAAFP is Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Information and Innovation Officer of Riverside Health. He has helped lead Riverside’s electronic health record initiatives since the system implemented an EMR in its medical practices in 1996. A family physician, Dr. Frazier is on the faculty of the Riverside Family Medicine Residency and is a Clinical Professor with the VCU Department of Family Medicine and Population Health. He is a Past President and the current Treasurer of the Virginia Academy of Family Physicians. Over the last three decades, Dr. Frazier has had the privilege to work with a number of quality and informatics organizations and projects at the state level, including Virginia Health Information, HQI, Virginia’s All Payers Claims Database, the Emergency Department Care Coordination Program, and the Virginia Taskforce on Primary Care.
Steve Horan, PhD
President & CEO, Community Health Solutions
Robert Krebbs
Vice President, Network Management & Value Based Care at Sentara Health Plan
Robert Krebbs is Vice President, Value Based Care & Provider Enablement at Sentara Health
Plans, where he has accountability for the design, development and rollout of value-based care initiatives across commercial and government business lines. His responsibilities include the management and oversight of Total Cost of Care (TCOC), Episode Bundled Payment programs and other performance-based reimbursement arrangements with provider organizations across Virginia. Additionally, he leads the development of Sentara Health Plan’s provider enablement strategy aimed at empowering physician and other provider partners to drive quality improvement, cost optimization and a positive member & provider experience underneath value-based care models.
Prior to joining Sentara Health Plans, Robert oversaw value-based care strategy nationally at Anthem, Inc. and has focused his career on the evolution of value-based care and the associated transition away from a purely fee for service reimbursement. His work to transform the fragmented healthcare delivery system into a cohesive, high-functioning medical neighborhood has been recognized nationally on multiple fronts and he has been a featured speaker at numerous forums including the PCMH Congress, the Pay for Performance Summit, the Value Based Payment Summit and the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. He is honored to have co-led the work aligning physician and hospital incentive models in the cardiology field that resulted in a 2008 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award by the Joint Commission and National Quality Forum.
Robert resides in Hanover County, Virginia with his wife and two daughters and is a proud
graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).
Alex Krist, MD, MPH
Professor of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Director of the Virginia Ambulatory Care Outcomes Research Network (ACORN)
Bob Phillips, MD
Founding Executive Director, The Center for Professionalism & Value in Health Care, ABFM Foundation
Kenneth Qiu, MD
Founder, EuDoc Direct Primary Care
Rachel Rees, MPA
Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Health Care Foundation
Rachel Rees is the CEO of the Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF). Prior to
assuming the role of CEO, Rachel served as the Foundation’s Deputy Director for 11
years, where she led the development of numerous statewide initiatives and oversaw
VHCF operations. Prior to her tenure at VHCF, she managed the AIDS Drug Assistance
Program at the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for five years, after starting out in
the field of foster care.
Rachel holds a Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and a Master of Public
Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of
Public Affairs. More recently, she graduated from Harvard University’s Emerging
Leaders Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government and the University of
Virginia’s Political Leaders Program at the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership in
2024. She also participated in the Lead Virginia program in 2023 and was recognized
with a Public Health Hero Award from VDH in 2011.
The Virginia Health Care Foundation is a non-profit public/private partnership with a
mission to increase the availability of primary health care, including behavioral health
and dental services, for uninsured and medically underserved Virginians. The
Foundation was initiated by the General Assembly and its Joint Commission on Health
Care in 1992. Since its inception, VHCF’s programs and partnerships have helped more
than 900,000 uninsured and medically underserved Virginians obtain the health care
they need.
Jeff Ricketts
Chair, Board of Directors, Virginia Center for Health Innovation
Jeff Ricketts had a nearly 40-year tenure with Anthem and served as the Virginia Plan President for the last five years until he retired in September 2022. Mr. Ricketts has been involved in many professional, community and charitable activities. He currently serves as Chair of the Virginia Center for Health Innovation Board of Directors and was previously co-chair of the Virginia Task Force on Primary Care. He also serves on the Board of the Virginia Healthcare Foundation and Virginia Learns. He has previously served on the boards of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Chamber RVA, Venture Richmond, and the Virginia Association of Health Plans. He was a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates, Virginia Chamber Blueprint VA 2030 Committee, the Virginia Business Council, and the Management Roundtable. He is also past chair of the Virginia March of Dimes State Board and was chair for the 2015 March for Babies. Mr. Ricketts is a native of Richmond and graduate of James Madison University.
Andreya Risser, MD, MBA
Richmond Medical Director Provider Well-Being, System Medical Director of Access BSMH Medical Group, Regional Medical Director Richmond Primary Care
Shelly Smith, PhD, DNP
Co-Director, UVA Synergy Center
Dr. Shelly Smith is a distinguished Professor of Nursing and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. With a robust academic background, Dr. Smith holds a PhD in Public Policy from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Virginia, an MS with a concentration in Adult Primary Care from VCU, and a BSN in Nursing from the UVA.
Dr. Smith’s professional journey is marked by significant leadership roles and contributions to nursing education and public policy. Currently, she serves as the Associate Dean for Graduate Nursing Programs at the University of Virginia. She also co- directs the newly formed Synergy Center, which addresses Virginia’s nursing workforce challenges by aligning individual goals with organizational needs through purposeful interaction. Her academic career also includes roles as a Clinical Associate Professor and Program Director at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she directed Graduate Practice Programs. Dr. Smith continues to maintain an active clinical practice in addition to her academic roles.
Dr. Smith is actively involved in public health and policy. She is an appointed member of the Virginia Board of Nursing and the Joint Board of Nursing and Medicine, where she serves as the APRN representative. Prior to her board of nursing appointment, Dr. Smith was appointed to the Virginia Healthcare Workforce Development Authority. She is an active member of the Region 9’s Virginia Partnerships for Health Science Careers workgroup. Her work focuses on creating sustainable collaborations across public education, industry, and policy.
Her contributions to nursing and public policy are further evidenced by her numerous publications and presentations at national and international conferences. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the National Academy of Practice and has received several awards, including the NP State Excellence Award from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Sarah Stanton, JD, MPA
Executive Director, Virginia Joint Commission on Health Care
Stephanie Toney, CCHW, RN, BSN
Founder & Visionary at CHW Strength
Stephanie Toney is a visionary force in public health, blending over 24 years of nursing experience and 14 years of public health leadership to uplift communities through empowerment, education, and advocacy. As the heart behind CHW Strength, Stephanie leads with authenticity, humility, and an unshakable belief in the power of people to transform systems from the inside out.
Certified as a Community Health Worker (CCHW), Stephanie has built her legacy by nurturing and developing CHW leaders, particularly those with lived experience. Her approach is deeply
relational—fostering partnerships, leading statewide task forces, and elevating the voices of communities. She champions equity, health justice, and the belief that every community holds the answers within.
Guided by faith, compassion, and a relentless drive for justice, Stephanie stands as a servant
leader—rooted in wisdom and driven by the dreams of the community. Through CHW Strength, she continues to forge paths for CHWs to thrive, lead, and build a future where health is not a privilege but a shared promise.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest
accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Lisa Uherick, MD
Chief Well-Being Officer, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician, Carilion Clinic
Lauryn Walker, PhD, RN, MPH
Chief Strategy Officer, Virginia Center for Health Innovation
Lauryn is the Chief Strategy Officer for Virginia Center for Health Innovation (VCHI). Prior to joining VCHI, Lauryn served as the Interim Chief of Population Health and Senior Advisor to the Chief Actuary and Chief Strategy Officer for North Carolina Medicaid, where she focused on Medicaid expansion and reforms to integrate behavioral and physical health. Lauryn also served as the Senior Advisor for Chief Deputy and Chief Health Economist at Virginia Medicaid, supporting implementation of Medicaid Expansion, data transparency, the development of the Office of Value-Based Purchasing (VBP), the Office of Quality and Population Health, and the Office of Data Analytics. Prior to working directly with states, Lauryn conducted Medicaid policy evaluations and research on health care financial incentive programs. She also served as a health fellow for the U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader. Lauryn is a registered nurse and member of the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps. She earned her nursing degree and MPH from Johns Hopkins University and her PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Alyssa Ward, PhD, LCP
Behavioral Health Director, Carelon
Alyssa M. Ward, Ph.D. is Licensed Clinical Psychologist who currently serves as the Medical Behavioral Health Clinical Director for Anthem Healthkeepers Plus. Dr. Ward received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, and completed a residency focused on Pediatric Psychology where she trained in integrated settings across all levels of care at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Hospital System. Dr. Ward completed post-doctoral fellowships at University of Hawaii Manoa and University of California Los Angeles, co-directing a large-scale, multi-site, McArthur Foundation-funded randomized controlled trial testing standard and modular evidence based treatments against usual care practices in Hawaii, Los Angeles, Boston, and Maine. Dr. Ward was previously on faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, overseeing integrated care program development in Pediatric Gastroenterology and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She currently serves as a trauma-informed practice trainer for an NIMH-funded training grant focused on the integration of doctoral Psychology students in primary care settings. Prior to coming to Anthem, Dr. Ward was the Virginia Medicaid Department’s Behavioral Health Director and the leader of the Project BRAVO System Transformation and Medicaid implementation lead for 988 and the Comprehensive Crisis System.
Registration is open to all those interested now through Friday, September 26th. The cost to attend is $65.00.
Location
The Virginia Primary Care Summit is located at The Westin Richmond. The address is 6631 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230.
Parking
The Westin offers complimentary on-site parking for conference attendees.
CME
Attendees will be eligible to submit for CME through the Virginia Academy of Family Physicians (VAFP). More information will be provided.
Interested in sponsoring the Virginia Primary Care Summit? Contact Beth Bortz at bbortz@vahealthinnovation.org.
Luncheon Sponsor
$7,500
Awards Co-Sponsor
$5,000
Awards Co-Sponsor
$5,000
Breakfast Sponsor
$5,000
Networking Break Sponsor
$5,000
Exemplary Partner Sponsor
$2,500
