1. KRISTIN A. HELLQUIST 1125 West Newport Avenue #G Chicago, IL, 60657<br />708.721.2101/khellquist@aol.com<br />Personable, self-motivated, results-oriented leader with successful record of achievement. Extensive network of contacts and colleagues developed across diverse healthcare external relations background in public, private and non-profit arenas. <br /> <br />PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:<br />American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons, Chicago, IL April 2010-Present<br />Membership organization representing 6300+ podiatric surgeons.<br />Director, Health Policy, Practice Advocacy & Research<br />Member of senior team working directly with board of directors to create, execute and refine organizational strategy and operations.<br />Oversees government relations/policy efforts concentrated on reimbursement, scope of practice, inter-physician relationship building, credentialing, and position-development and coalition activities. <br />Revitalizing practice management focus, including online and face-to-face education, practice tools (including responsible for a new profit center related to electronic health record consulting partnership), coding/billing issues with private and public payers, and developing content for member publications and Website.<br />Directs research activities through integration with advocacy and clinical agenda. Promotes evidence-based medicine among members and public related to foot & ankle surgery. Investigating outcomes database for member use.<br />Responsible for several key member volunteer areas (including Health Policy, Professional Relations, Practice Management, Evidenced-Based Medicine and Research, Scoring Scale, Academic Health Centers, and the Credentialing & Privileging Advisory Team). <br />KAR, Inc. Washington, DC & Chicago, ILJuly 2009-Present<br />DC-based federal, state and local government relations, policy and communications firm, specializing in healthcare clients.<br />Senior Public Policy Associate (consultant)<br />Oversee and create advocacy and grassroots materials for clients on web and in print.<br />Develop and grow new and existing coalitions for cancer, nursing, certification and physician clients.<br />Provide strategic counsel and resources related to executing government relations, policy and communications programs. <br />National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), Chicago, IL July 2000-June 2009<br />Builds regulatory expertise worldwide; revenues in excess of $66 million; staff of 75+.<br />Director, Policy & Government Relations 2004- 2009<br />Associate Director, Policy & External Relations2000-2004<br />Served as a member of senior leadership team, and reported directly to the CEO. Counseled Board of Directors and senior leadership on strategic policy and healthcare environment issues. Provided direction to operational and programmatic departments. <br />Led efforts to win a $1.1 million federal grant award. Oversaw an in-house team of employees and contractors to lead its management and programmatic content.<br />Advocated for the Nurse Licensure Compact model legislation. Oversaw its educational and communications efforts. <br />Created and directed the first formal government relations program (state, federal and international), designed to promote safe and effective nursing through appropriate regulation. Highlights include development of inaugural and subsequent public policy/advocacy agendas, internal and external communications efforts, and the creation of formal position statements. <br />Achieved over 100% growth in members of the organization’s mutual recognition efforts; Secured a key federal rule change relating to federal visas allowing the organization’s key revenue source to be recognized federally, great collaborator on telehealth issues related to the mobility of licensed professional and instrumental in that debate on a state, federal and international level. <br />Served as regular conference speaker on policy issues, including licensure portability, patient safety, scope of practice emergency preparedness, and nurse shortages.<br />Cultivated and maintained key external and internal relationships needed to advance the policy agenda and strategic plan.<br />Published numerous articles in journals and trade magazines, e.g., mutual recognition of state licensure, telehealth, coalition building, and advocacy. <br />Served on the Council of State Government’s Health Capacity Task Force, AcademyHealth’s Ethical Nurse Recruitment project, Citizen Advocacy Center’s Prep-4-Patient Safety, and as an expert to National Governors Association’s E-Health/HC Care Practice Task Force and National Council of State Legislatures Workforce Committee. Elected to the Board for the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation. First NCSBN Official Observer to the American Medical Association. <br />Directed media relations, exhibition services and public relations functions. Co-chaired the communications and marketing team, focusing on promoting advocacy issues.<br />Led the creation and preparation of annual environmental scans for Board and senior leaders. Directed staffing efforts for member committee, including Licensure Models, Emergency Preparedness, and 25th Anniversary committees. <br />Led 25th anniversary activities, raising over $100,000/leading new branding efforts.<br />American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), Schaumburg, IL1999-2000<br />Largest organization of dermatologists worldwide; Illinois and DC offices; revenues in excess of $24 million; staff of 100+.<br />Manager, Health Policy & Advocacy<br />Provided strategic support for state and federal government affairs offices, worked with team regarding policy development/advocacy on environmental triage issues, e.g., reimbursement, coding, off-label, dermatologic research, accreditation, cosmetic procedures, access, and office-based care standards issues.<br />Managed multiple member-driven policy and advocacy committees, including telehealth, state affairs, office-based surgery, practice and professional issues. <br />Served as lead staff for American Medical Association House of Delegates meetings and AAD’s member section council.<br />Active in office-based accreditation debate and standard setting. Worked with a high-level staff team on legal issues surrounding clinical privileges in the acute care setting.<br />The Joint Commission, Oakbrook Terrace, IL1994-1999<br />Formerly JCAHO, oldest private standard setting body promoting healthcare quality; revenues in excess of $113 million; staff of 800+.<br />Associate Director, State Government Relations & External Affairs1997-1999<br />Board Specialist, Department of Board and Committee Activities1994-1997<br />Managed external and state relations activities.<br />Developed and executed related internal communications to key employees and departments, and advised on team projects.<br />Lobbied legislative/regulatory branches for recognition of JCAHO accreditation by hospitals, long-term care, hospice, managed care, pharmacy, behavioral health, and ambulatory/office-based surgery. Increased recognition by 20% in each area.<br />Served as corporate liaison to national trade, consumer and advocacy groups. Created and maintained key relationships with hospital, medical and managed care organizations.<br />Prepared and presented key updates on strategic issues to upper management. Developed a custom-approach for product development outreach and increased market penetration.<br />Served as external environment expert to in-house committees developing products, services and processes. Notably emerging accreditation/certification programs, e.g., assisted living and staffing agencies.<br />Worked directly with the President and related department in developing and administering activities related to the operation and function of Board of Commissioners and all committees.<br />Researched and presented memorandum/white papers on interpretations of board policy and external issues. Authored a state-based research effort on healthcare quality data needs, as requested by executive management. <br />Monitored healthcare environment for the board, and acted as liaison to key groups within the Joint Commission Liaison Network.<br />Managed recruitment efforts for new board members tying expertise with organizational objectives.<br />Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL1991-1994<br />Global company, providing quality and innovative healthcare products worldwide, revenues in excess of $29.5 billion. <br />Legislative Analyst1992-1994<br />State Government Affairs Researcher1991-1992<br />Analyzed and drafted legislation responding to business environment and opportunities.<br />Researched, wrote and presented comprehensive reports for senior management and corporate sales forces. Department liaison to business units, corporate task forces, and marketing efforts.<br />Performed environmental scanning, lobbying registration and compliance, Political Action Committee reporting and bill tracking. <br />Directed outside regional lobbying firms on key matters. <br />EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION: <br />Master of Science, School of Public Services Management (emphasis: health law, policy and administration), DePaul University, Chicago, IL.<br />Bachelor of Arts, School of Journalism. Majors: Public Relations & Advertising, Minors: Political Science & Public Administration, Drake University, Des Moines, IA. <br />Certified Association Executive (CAE) <br />ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:<br />Government Relations Director, Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity, Indianapolis, IN 2009-2010. Key roles included external, public and government relations strategic counsel; PAC counsel, coalition lobbying related to safe housing and tax issues, campaign promotion for member candidates.<br />Public Relations Committee Chair, Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity, Indianapolis, IN 2009-2010. Work to execute committee charges, volunteer management, external and public affairs issues related to nonprofit and membership organizations. <br />Project Manager/Fundraiser, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Oakbrook, IL. 1991. Staff charged to raise external funds and devise new development strategies.<br />Marketing Representative, Iowa Department of Economic Development, Des Moines, IA. 1990-91. A competitive and paid internship focused on advancing business opportunities for minorities and women entrepreneurs through state-based programs.<br />State Senator Szymoniak Legislative Intern, 1989-90. Des Moines, IA. Competitive legislative internship, key areas of study and reporting were gambling and other revenue raising issues. Governor Branstad Intern, 1988-89. Des Moines, IA. Competitive executive branch internship. Assisted Chief of Staff with daily operational needs. Specifically worked with parole board performing pardon-related research and pardons. Also responded to constituent correspondence for Governor’s signature. <br />Volunteer Activities: Co-chair for American Society of Association Executives Government Relations School/member of Government Relations Section Council; Chicago Council on Global Relations; Association Forum of Chicago/Public Policy Section; Chicago Chapter of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA); Drake Alumni Association/Career Committee. <br />