Nationally-recognized health care leader and School of Nursing alumna Karen Dale, RN, MSN, will be the keynote speaker at the College of Health and Human Services’ on May 22 at Eagle Bank Arena. Dale, who received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mason, will address the next generation of leaders based on her two decades in the health care industry.ÌýÌý
The College is pleased to resume the tradition of hosting in person Degree Celebrations at Eagle Bank Arena this May and to welcome Dale as our honored speaker. Dale was originally scheduled to address graduates at the May 2020 Degree Celebration which was canceled due to COVID-19.Ìý
Dale is the market president and chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for AmeriHealth Caritas’ Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) in Washington, D.C. She is responsible for leading key initiatives to strategically position the MCO as a market leader offering innovative solutions for the critical challenges faced by its members.Ìý
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Dale was appointed to AmeriHealth Caritas’ newly created position of chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer (CDEIO). As CDEIO, Dale leads the planning and implementation of diversity and inclusion strategies across the organization to link workforce, workplace, health equity, and supplier diversity with measurable business and cultural outcomes.Ìý
Having held multiple positions of leadership for two decades, Dale has worked with a broad group of stakeholders to address policies and other key factors impacting the delivery of health care services. In addressing the range of needs experienced by the nation’s vulnerable populations, Dale has cultivated a focus that has helped AmeriHealth Caritas concurrently innovate, while meeting the highest levels of quality and service. These efforts include the use of digital tools to aid in the management of chronic diseases, peer-to-peer outreach using community health workers and peer specialists, and the use of a human-centered design member engagement approach. Dale’s vision is notably reflected in key programs addressing Black maternal health, racism, housing, transportation, violence interruption, and food insecurity. In addition, her philosophy that health care must evolve into a health ecosystem that promotes, wellness, without barriers, starting where people are, has led to several collaborative relationships with providers, community partners, philanthropists, and businesses to implement sustainable, scalable solutions with high impact.ÌýÌý
Dale holds a Master of Science degree in psychiatric mental health nursing from The Catholic University, Washington, D.C., and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Mason. She was a member of the Leadership Greater Washington Class of 2003. She serves as a board member for Volunteers of America, the Institute for Medicaid Innovation, and the Access to Justice Commission.ÌýÌý