Improving the health of people and communities

2020 IMPACT Report

Reflecting on the year

Dear colleagues —

The losses we've experienced from COVID-19 have been crippling, tragic, and for many, preventable. They have shown how unprepared we were. How fragmented our health system, and our country, has become. The extent of our racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities. And the need—now more than ever—to work together to overcome all of these challenges.

In 2020, with a small but timely grant from Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, CHRT dove in to offer rapid support to policymakers and practitioners across Michigan: 

  • To build support for contact tracing and other public health measures
  • To learn how other states are combating social isolation during the pandemic
  • To protect individuals with serious mental illness and intellectual and developmental disabilities from infection
  • To provide safe, temporary shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness during the pandemic
  • To protect seniors and other vulnerable residents in nursing homes and long-term care facilities
  • To meet the behavioral health needs of Michigan’s prison population
  • To understand CARES Act funding and policy opportunities

While the pandemic created tremendous hardships for many, and exposed historical and existing inequities, the pandemic is also compelling us to work together in better and more meaningful ways—and with urgency—to address community needs.

Thank you for all you do to improve health outcomes, health care efficiencies, and the quality of care for Michiganders and, in particular, for the state’s most vulnerable populations. 

Terrisca Des Jardins
Executive Director, Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT)

Tony Denton
Chair, CHRT Board of Directors
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, University of Michigan Health System - Michigan Medicine

Terrisca Des JardinsTony Denton

2020 impact stories

JANUARY

"Our 2020 health policy fellows included a number of individuals who were incredibly knowledgeable—about epidemiology, public health, mental health—this was their life's work. They benefited in real time from the fellowship, and it turned out to be an opportunity for us to contribute to state efforts in a phenomenal way."

January Highlights

Pregnant woman

01.07.2020

CHRT Fellow Michelle Moniz in The Atlantic: The high cost of having a baby in America
Read More
CHRT fellow talking

01.15.2020

Confused about Michigan's new Medicaid work requirement? Read this.
Read More
Chart

01.30.2020

Ninth cohort of CHRT Health Policy Fellows: Diverse expertise and perspectives
Read More

FEBRUARY

"I don’t think it got real for me until New York—when the numbers started to expand there—how dangerous it was. My daughter was studying exponents at school, so we created a spreadsheet and tracked new cases every day to figure out the growth rate."

FEBRUARY Highlights

Rural open road

02.20.2020

Recruiting and retaining behavioral health workers in rural America: Report and action guide
Read More
Michigan map

02.25.2020

New at CHRT: New projects focus on integration, work requirements reporting, mental health
Read More
Colorful graph

02.26.2020

CHRT makes national directory of recommended evaluation partners: Health Fund
Read More

MARCH

"We were planning a retreat with MDHHS to work on a mission and vision statement around long-term services and supports. The state wanted to support more home and community-based services. Just after we started the planning process, COVID hit."

MARCH Highlights

Supply chain bottles

03.06.2020

CHRT in USA Today: The gravity of drug shortages as coronavirus disrupts global supply chain
Read More
Arrow around maze

03.19.2020

The gift of simplicity means a lot: It means even more in the midst of coronavirus, says CHRT
Read More
Map

03.23.2020

CHRT in ABC News: In praise of state actions to stem the spread of coronavirus
Read More

APRIL

"It was a time of really learning the science of transmission, prevention, and treatment for all of us. There was a lot of misinformation, new information, and contradictory information. And, of course, the politics got in the way every time."

APRIL Highlights

04.10.2020

What local health departments need to know: About CARES Act funding
Read More
hotel sign

04.21.2020

Let's provide safe, temporary shelter: For homeless populations during the COVID-19 pandemic
Read More
Teledoc

04.23.2020

Telehealth services have expanded during the pandemic: The most effective innovations
Read More

MAY

"Our daycare was closed. Our son is a toddler and constantly wants our attention—so we worked in shifts. We’d take calls in the stairwell so he couldn’t hear us. And one of us would provide the caregiving while the other would work out of a closet."

May Highlights

Senior woman at nursing home

05.01.2020

CHRT in HuffPo: Improving senior housing options as COVID-19 spreads through nursing homes
Read More
Stethoscope and Chart

05.14.2020

CHRT in Bridge Michigan: Michigan's independent doc face new hardships during pandemic
Read More
Empty Waiting room

05.26.2020

CHRT on Marketplace Morning Report: Why patients are putting off health care
Read More

JUNE

"The dialogue on COVID was quite polarized, and we wanted to cut through the noise and gather the facts—to get some real information, instead of speculation. We began to survey Michiganders about COVID information sources, and trust in those sources."

June Highlights

Covid-19 Headstone

06.01.2020

Where we need to take COVID-19 interventions: To protect vulnerable populations
Read More
Integrated health

06.04.2020

What COVID-19 is teaching us: About health and human services integration
Read More
Rock Bridge

06.19.2020

Trust in public health is essential: Udow-Phillips and Lantz write for Journal of Hospital Medicine
Read More

JULY

"We have ignored the importance of local public health for a long time. We pare down our local health departments, and then we expect them to do everything in a crisis, and it's unrealistic to ask health departments to work in that way."

july Highlights

US Map

07.08.2020

Grant from the Midwest Mobility from Poverty Network: To address poverty, COVID-19 impact
Read More
Nurse with thermometer

07.20.2020

Here's what Michigan nursing homes that escaped COVID-19 did right: Bridge Michigan
Read More
insured underinsured text

07.20.2020

Lost health insurance during the pandemic? Here are your options in Lansing State Journal
Read More

AUGUST

"We were asked to work on a review of Michigan’s nursing home COVID response. It was an incredibly fast-paced project—more than 60 hours a week, meetings on Saturdays, and just trying to find answers for the state on the best actions to protect people."

AUGUST Highlights

Yellow flower growing in crack

08.03.2020

Reforms needed: After systemic flaws in nursing homes worsen the pandemic
Read More
CHRT annual report cover design

08.21.2020

Improving the health of people and communities: And charting a course for the future
Read More
Key takeaways text

08.31.2020

MDHHS shares CHRT's key analytic findings and recommendations
Read More

SEPTEMBER

"We work with the folks at Washtenaw County Community Mental Health. While we quickly pivoted to working remotely, many of them never stopped providing essential in-person services to their clients. It made me think about the various aspects of behavioral health care delivery that can't be replaced by virtual work."

SEPTEMBER Highlights

On air mic

09.8.2020

More changes needed: For Michigan's COVID-19 response in nursing homes
Read More
Terrisca Des Jardins Photo

09.16.2020

CHRT board names Terrisca Des Jardins: CHRT's incoming executive director
Read More
Puzzle pieces

09.26.2020

Designing integrated behavioral health services for Medicaid enrollees: Case studies
Read More

OCTOBER

"MI Community Care convenes a dozen different agencies to coordinate services for residents with complex medical, social, and behavioral needs. We're very community-oriented, which ideally means meeting people where they are in the community. Not being able to do that during the pandemic was a significant roadblock."

OCTOBER Highlights

ACA paper and gavel

10.20.2020

The ACA turns 10: And faces a pandemic, an election, and a Supreme Court caseRead More
Senior in mask

10.24.2020

We would not have predicted COVID-19 response: CHRT in the Detroit Free Press
Read MorE
Medicare paper in ballot box

10.29.2020

In 2020, healthcare is top of mind for most voters: CHRT on WDET Detroit
Read MORE

NOVEMBER

"In 2020, telehealth really came online. It was a way for people to reach their providers without risk of being exposed to the virus, so policies were relaxed to encourage that. But when I sat down to write about it, it became obvious that a lot of people didn't have access to "online" and they were being left behind."

NOVEMBER Highlights

Vet saluting

11.10.2020

Health care and mental health care providers: Need more training, support to serve aging veterans
Read More
Papercut of family

11.11.2020

Biggest impact of the ACA on Michiganders: Increased health insurance coverage
Read More
Joe Biden photo

11.12.2020

Joe Biden's health care platform: CHRT cited in U.S. News & World Report
Read More

DECEMBER

"In the latter half of 2020, we provided boots-on-the-ground support to policymakers. We lifted up topics for them to consider as the pandemic unfolded. The work showed the confidence our partners have in CHRT—to be problem solvers, creative thinkers—to tackle challenges that, at the time, seemed insurmountable."

DECEMBER Highlights

Open enrollment text

12.11.2020

Insurance costs have dropped in many Michigan counties: CHRT cited in news outlets across MI
Read More
Marianne photo

12.16.2020

An All-Star Zoom Tribute: To CHRT's founding executive director, Marianne Udow-Phillips
Read More
man in wheelchair

12.18.2020

Learn how states are combatting social isolation and loneliness: In response to COVID-19 pandemic
Read More

2020 News & Publications

Puzzle with people

Blog Posts

03.19.2020

Building a business case for sustainability: Why you need one now: By Marianne Udow-Phillips

read mORE

03.19.2020

The gift of simplicity means a lot: It means even more in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic: By Erin Spanier

read MORE

03.30.2020

Backbone organizations: Here's what they do and why they matter: By Nancy Baum

READ MORE

04.16.2020

Another existential threat to the ACA in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic: By Marianne Udow-Phillips

read mORE

06.04.2020

What COVID-19 teaches us about health and human services integration: By Melissa Riba

READ MORE
A CHRT Fellow

CHRT NEWS

01.27.2020

CHRT's ninth cohort of Health Policy Fellows features diverse views, backgrounds, expertise: CHRT News

READ MORE

02.25.2020

New projects focus on integration, work requirements reporting, and mental health: CHRT News

READ MORE

03.16.2020

Working remotely to stem the spread of coronavirus, but fully operational: CHRT News

READ MORE

03.19.2020

CHRT to join MHEF's Equitable Evaluation Initiative Collaboratory: CHRT News

read more

05.08.2020

COVID-19 has transformed health and behavioral health care delivery through telehealth: CHRT News

READ MORE

07.08.2020

CHRT receives grant to address poverty, and impact of COVID-19, across Michigan: CHRT News

READ MORE

09.01.2020

MDHHS shares CHRT's key analytic findings, recommendations for nursing homes: CHRT News

READ MORE

09.10.2020

CHRT board names Terrisca Des Jardins as incoming executive director: CHRT News

READ MORE

12.16.2020

An all-star zoom tribute to Marianne Udow-Phillips, founding executive director: CHRT News

READ MORE
Woman with puzzle pieces

PUBLICATIONS

02.20.2020

Recruiting and retaining behavioral health workers in rural America: Our report and action guide

READ MORE

04.03.2020

2020 rates analysis finds increased choice, decreased rates, federal policy impact: CHRT's 2020 analysis

READ MORE

04.10.2020

What local health departments need to know about CARES Act funding and policy opps: Rapid response research

READ MORE

04.11.2020

Lost insurance in COVID-19 crisis? Act quickly to get ACA coverage: Governor urges feds to reopen ACA marketplace

READ MORE

04.15.2020

Best practices for protecting populations in nursing homes, LTC settings: Rapid response research

READ MORE

04.17.2020

Meeting the behavioral health needs of Michigan's prison population: Rapid response research

read more

04.21.2020

Safe, temporary shelter for homeless populations during the pandemic: Rapid response research

read more

04.22.2020

Mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on persons in poverty: Strategies to consider, rapid response research

read more

04.23.2020

Telehealth services have expanded during COVID-19 emergency: Let's preserve the most effective innovations

read more

04.28.2020

Protecting individuals with SMI from COVID-19: Best practices for CMH agencies and clinics

REAd more

04.30.2020

Michiganders continue to report difficulty accessing mental health care: Cover Michigan Survey

read more

06.19.2020

Trust in public health is essential amid COVID-19 pandemic: Journal of Hospital Medicine

read more

07.20.2020

Health professionals are the most trusted sources of info on COVID-19: Cover Michigan Survey

read more

07.20.2020

Build support for COVID-19 contact tracing by working with trusted messengers: Cover Michigan Survey

read more

07.22.2020

Reflections on the ACA at 10: Marianne Udow-Phillips presents "the longview" in Findings Magazine

read more

08.03.2020

Reforms needed after systemic flaws in nursing homes worsen COVID-19: Bifocal, the ABA journal on law & aging

read more

08.21.2020

CHRT's 2019 impact report: Improving the health of people and communities; charting a course for the future

read more

09.08.2020

Evaluating Michigan's COVID-19 nursing home strategy: Providing recommendations for future approaches

read more

09.16.2020

Integrated behavioral health services for Medicaid enrollees: Background and case studies

read more

11.10.2020

MI health care and mental health care providers need more training, support: To serve the state's older veterans

read more

12.07.2020

2021 rates analysis: In many counties across Michigan, rates have declined significantly

read more

12.18.2020

Learn how states are combatting social isolation and loneliness: In adults with disabilities during the pandemic

READ MORE
Arrows merging

CHRT In the NEws

01.07.2020

The high cost of having a baby in America: CHRT Fellow Michelle Moniz in The Atlantic

read more

01.30.2020

CHRT makes national directory of recommended eval partners: Michigan Health Endowment Fund

read more

03.06.2020

Weighing in on the gravity of drug shortages as coronavirus disrupts supply chain: USA Today

read more

03.09.2020

Michigan's proposal for a Medicaid transformation office, value-based reimbursement: Crain's Detroit

read more

03.13.2020

Shortage of medical supplies for addressing COVID-19 is an ongoing challenge: China Global TV Network

read more

03.17.2020

Healthcare system changes proposed by Democratic presidential candidates: MLive

read more

03.23.2020

Praising state leaders on the actions they're taking to combat spread of COVID-19: ABC News

read more

03.25.2020

For independent, rural hospitals, coronavirus may pose an existential threat: Bridge Michigan

read more

03.28.2020

An examination of the U.S. health system amid coronavirus: China Global Television

read more

04.07.2020

Public health work has never been more important: CHRT Fellow Lisa Peacock in Petoskey News Review

read more

04.09.2020

PPE supply shortages aren't helped by halting abortions: CHRT Fellow Jen Villavicencio in Bridge Michigan

read more

04.17.2020

Insights on complex hospital staffing issues during the COVID-19 crisis: Bridge Michigan

read more

04.17.2020

CHRT's Cover Michigan Survey illuminates Detroit health care access challenges: HuffPo, Type Investigations

read more

04.21.2020

Exploring the disproprtionate impact of COVID-19 in African American communities: Powering Up Podcast

read more

04.23.2020

Why MI hospitals are laying off workers, even as they battle coronavirus: Bridge Michigan

read more

04.24.2020

The unintended consequences of immunity certification CHRT Fellow Denise Anthony speaks with WEMU

read more

04.26.2020

What's missing in the debate over Michigan's stay-at-home orders: Huffington Post

read more

04.27.2020

Rural hospitals continue to suffer financially due to coronavirus: Bridge Michigan

read more

05.01.2020

Improving senior housing options as COVID-19 ravages nursing homes: Huffington Post

read more

05.07.2020

MI hospitals are needed now more than ever; why are they laying off workers? MLive

read more

05.11.2020

Michigan's approach to reopening the economy will be slow, steady, and safe: MLive

read more

05.14.2020

Michigan's independent doctors are facing new hardships during the pandemic: Bridge Michigan

read more

05.26.2020

Why patients are putting off health care, even when they need it: NPR Marketplace Morning Report

read more

05.28.2020

Ways to battle COVID-19 in our state's vulnerable nursing homes: Bridge Michigan

read more

06.01.2020

Where we need to take COVID-19 interventions to protect vulnerable populations: MLive

read more

06.02.2020

Why is Michigan's covonavirus death rate so high? CHRT explains in MLive interview

read more

06.17.2020

What the potential Beaumont-Advocate Aurora merger could mean for Detroit patients, employees: Click on Detroit

read more

07.15.2020

They care for Michigan's most vulnerable, we should care for them: CHRT Fellow Michelle Meade in Bridge

read more

07.20.2020

Here's what Michigan nursing homes that escaped coronavirus did right: Bridge Michigan

read more

07.20.2020

Lost health insurance during the coronavirus pandemic? Here are your options: Lansing State Journal

read more

07.21.2020

Two-thirds of Michiganders support contact tracing, but some cite privacy concerns: Crain's Detroit

read more

07.21.2020

The public trusts health care providers, but they aren't getting enough info from them: Crain's Detroit

read more

07.21.2020

Whitmer, Fauci are among Michigan's most trusted sources on coronavirus: MLive

read more

07.21.2020

Coronavirus contact tracing faces increasing challenges as some residents prove reluctant to participate: MLive

read more

07.21.2020

About half of Michiganders trust Whitmer, Fauci for COVID info; 27 percent trust Trump: Michigan Radio

read more

07.22.2020

Use local doctors to promote mask use says Marianne Udow-Phillips: WLNS interview with Tim Skubick

read more

09.08.2020

More changes needed for Michigan's COVID-19 response in nursing homes: Michigan Radio

read more

09.08.2020

CHRT's examination of Michigan's nursing home hub strategy in response to the COVID-19 crisis: Crain's Detroit

read more

09.08.2020

CHRT interim report on Michigan's COVID-19 nursing home hub strategy: Michigan Advance

read more

09.09.2020

Findings from a study of Michigan's COVID-19 nursing home policy: WJR's Guy Gordon Show

read more

10.20.2020

The impact and future of the Affordable Care Act: Webinar from U-M IHPI's 10th anniversary panel discussion

read more

11.05.2020

Prognosis for health care in America following a Biden victory: U.S. News & World Report

read more

11.06.2020

Retiring Michigan health care expert: Detroit Free Press interviews CHRT ED about the evolution of health care

read more

11.06.2020

Health care is top of mind for most voters: Detroit Today, WDET-FM, on health care and the 2020 election

read more

11.11.2020

The biggest impact of the ACA on Michiganders' lives is increased insurance coverage: MLive

read more

11.12.2020

Joe Biden has big plans for health care: HealthDay and U.S. News & World Report

read more

11.25.2020

The importance of maintaining access to clean water during the COVID-19 pandemic: Bridge Michigan

read more

12.11.2020

CHRT's Marketplace insurance rates analysis shared with Clare, Gratiot, and Isabella County readers: Morning Sun

read more

12.12.2020

CHRT's Marketplace rates analysis shared with Wexford, Missaukee, Lake, and Osceola Counties: Cadillac News

read more

12.15.2020

Riba and Adams op-ed: Four ways Michigan providers can prepare to serve aging veterans: Lansing State Journal

read more

Financials

Audited statement
of financial position

December 31, 2020

CHRT Assets tableCHRT Liabilities Table

Sources of
expenditures

12 months ended December 31, 2020 (audited)

EXPENDITURES

Pie Chart

Partners

Board of Directors

Tony Denton, Chair
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, University of Michigan Health System - Michigan Medicine

Lynda Rossi, Vice Chair
Executive Vice President of Strategy, Government, and Public Affairs, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

John Z. Ayanian
Director, Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation (IHPI), University of Michigan

Rob Casalou
Regional President and Chief Executive Officer, Trinity Health Michigan

Toshiki Masaki
Past Chair, Michigan Asian and Pacific American Affairs Commission

Amy McKenzie
Associate Chief Medical Officer for Provider Engagement, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Fran Parker
Retired Executive, United Auto Workers Retiree Medical Benefit Trust

Todd Van Tol
Senior Vice President of Health Care Value, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Brent Williams
Medical Director, University of Michigan Complex Care Management Program

Staff

Emmen Ahmed
Communications Intern

Ryan Bartholomew
Health Policy Analyst

Nancy Baum
Director of Health Policy

Ayse G. Büyüktür
Program Manager
MI Community Care

Cristin Cole
Healthcare Analyst

Jenna Combs
Administrative Assistant

Kirsten Cormier
Administrative Specialist Associate

Terrisca Des Jardins
Executive Director

Jessica Doan
CHRT Intern

Ana Dora
Senior Administrative
and HR Specialist

Allie Faulkner
Washtenaw Health
Initiative Intern

Matthew Hill
SUD Program Manager

Deidre Hurse
Lead Analyst for Systems Integration and Health Equity

Samantha Iovan
Lead Analyst

Elizabeth Jahn
Director of Business
and Finance

Patrick Kelly
Senior Analyst

Jaque King
Lead Healthcare Analyst

Joe Koss
Business and Finance Analyst

Erica Matti
Healthcare Analyst

Mary McCardwell
Senior Grants-Contracts Research Administrator

Meg Normand
CHRT Intern

Gregory Powers
Senior Communications Strategist

Carrie Rheingans
Director of Human Services

Melissa Riba
Director of Research and Evaluation

Robyn Rontal
Director of Policy Analytics

Andrew Smentkowski
Director of Business Development

Deana Smith
Senior Health Analyst

Kimberly Snodgrass
Senior Health Communications Intern

Erin Spanier
Director of Communications

Karin Teske
Senior Analyst

John Tsirigotis
Healthcare Analyst

Marianne Udow-Phillips
Senior Adviser and Founding Executive Director

Funders and Clients

Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Detroit Health Department
Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network
Ethel and James Flinn Foundation
Henry Ford Health System
The Kresge Foundation
Learning Health for Michigan
Metro Health Foundation
Michigan Data Collaborative
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Michigan Health and Hospital Association
Michigan Health Endowment Fund

Michigan Medicine
Michigan Multipayer Initiatives
Michigan State Medical Society Foundation
National Council on Aging
National Institute of Disability, Independent Living, & Rehabilitation Research
Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan
Saint Joseph Mercy Health System
Shelter Association of Washtenaw County
Starfish Family Service
Thome Foundation
Trinity Health
United Auto Workers
Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County Community Mental Health
Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office