Cheryl Phillips, M.D.

Cheryl Phillips, M.D., is leaving her position as senior vice president for public policy and health services at LeadingAge to become president and CEO of the SNP Alliance, a national nonprofit organization with members including special needs managed care plans and Medicare/Medicaid managed care plans serving those with multiple chronic conditions, those with low incomes, nursing home residents, or those with complex care needs because of disability, behavioral health or advanced care needs.

The appointment is effective July 31, according to the SNP Alliance.

“I wholly believe that special needs plans are an important vehicle to address the needed care coordination and integration of service for vulnerable Medicare populations and those with complex care needs,” Phillips said in a statement. “With the SNP Alliance, I see the opportunity to truly bring ‘policy to practice.’ ”

Phillips is a trained family practice physician certified in geriatric medicine. In addition to her position at LeadingAge, she also serves on the boards of the SCAN Foundation and Ascension Living, according to biographical information posted on the LeadingAge website.

Before joining LeadingAge in 2011, Phillips was chief medical officer of On Lok Lifeways, the originator of the PACE (Program of All-Inclusive care for the Elderly) model based in San Francisco. She also formerly was medical director for senior services and chronic disease management at the Sutter Health System in Northern California.

Phillips is a past president of the American Geriatrics Society and the American Medical Directors Association, now known as AMDA–The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.

John Baackes, chairman of the SNP Alliance Board and CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, said the organization was attracted to Phillips for its president and CEO position because of her “strong credentials in specialized managed care and national leadership.”

Richard Bringewatt, co-founder and president of the SNP Alliance, also praised her experience in “advancing health policy and practice for high-risk populations.” Bringewatt will continue as president of the National Health Policy Group, which developed and provides ongoing strategic leadership and management for the SNP Alliance.