Kelli Stannard is a seasoned nurse and proven public health leader with over 15 years of experience working to improve the health outcomes of children, including children and youth with special healthcare needs. Ms. Stannard earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Florida State University and began her nursing career as a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse before serving in various capacities at the Florida Department of Health’s State Health Office.
She has completed the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Open School, which included courses in quality improvement, patient safety, and health equity. Before joining HMA, Kelli helped with the development and implementation of a statewide learning and action network where pediatric specialists came together to work on local and statewide quality improvement projects focused on improving the quality of and access to care for children and youth with special health care needs.
Additionally, in her role as Bureau of Chief of Clinical Operations, she led the clinical management for the Children’s Medical Services clinic and care coordination services in 20 area offices throughout the state, as well as the clinical operations for the Children’s Medical Services Plan, a health plan for Medicaid and CHIP eligible children and youth with special health care needs, which included efforts to improve child-related health measures, including Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures.