MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
June 15, 2023
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council
ofthe District of Columbia
John
A. Wilson Building
1350Penn_sylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington,
DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2
of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law
2-142; D.C. Official
Code§ 1-523.01), and pursuant to section 4603 of the Child Fatality Review
Committee Establishment Act
of 2001, effective October 3, 2001, (D.C. Law 14-28; D.C. Official
Code § 4-1371.03), I am pleased to nominate the following person:
Ms. Kristen Constantine
Channing Place, NE
Washington, DC 20018
(Ward
5)
for appointment as a community member of the Child Fatality Review Committee, replacing
Claudia Booker, for a term to end July 16, 2025.
Enclosed
you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above
mentioned nominee,
together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the
confirmation process.
I would appreciate
the Council's earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation.
Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor's Office of Talent
and Appointments, should the Council require additional information. 1
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Chairman Phil Mendelson
at the request
of the Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN THE COUNCIL
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
16 To confirm the appointment of Ms. Kristen Constantine to the Child Fatality Review Committee.
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18 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
19 resolution may be cited as the "Child Fatality Review Committee Kristen Constantine
20 Confirmation Resolution of 2023 ".
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22 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
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Ms. Kristen Constantine
25 Channing Place, NE
26 Washington, DC 20018
27 (Ward 5)
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29 as a community member ofthe Child Fatality Review Committee, and pursuant to section 4603
30 ofthe Child Fatality Review Committee Establishment Act of 2001, effective October 3, 2001,
31 (D.C. Law 14-28; D.C. Official Code§ 4-1371.01), replacing Claudia Booker, for a term to end
32 July 16, 2025.
33 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
34 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
35 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
36 Kristen Constantine, MPH
-
Obiective: Seeking a challenging position where my 10+ years in healthcare and science -coupled with
my passion for kidney
disease, family well-being, patient advocacy, and health communication - can
benefit public health policy.
SKILLS & TRAINING
Project management and operations, data analysis, quality control and analysis, ArcGIS, R, STATA,
qualitative research, NVivo software, Microsoft Office, Pivot Tables, laboratory benchwork, stakeholder
engagement and networking, community outreach, fundraising, non-profit management and budgeting,
Contracting Officer's Representative
(COR) Level I; health equity and diversity training; Regulatory
drafting
& processes training
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Venn Strategies and Continuum Health Group. Washington, DC
Assistant Vice President: March 2022 - Present 40 hours/week
Track and analyze relevant federal and state activity related
to population health and health equity.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships
with allied organizations in key public health areas
(health disparities, health policy, community health, education, reproductive health, behavioral
science)
• Manage relationships
with third party groups conducting educational activities related to clinical
research and precision medicine
• Execute
priority projects to advance understanding and awareness of diversity in clinical
research, especially related
to precision medicine (National Institutes of Health All of Us Project
Engagement Counselor
for various nursing association groups)
• Support
the development of policy proposals related to value-based care in Medicare and
Medicaid through research and analysis, particularly supporting policy
for federally qualified
health centers
•
Write public comments, requests for information letters, appropriations requests, and policy
documents on behalf
of healthcare clients
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Baltimore, MD
Social Science Research Analyst: October 2019 - March 2022 40 hours/week; GS 12 Step 1
Health Equity Strategist: July 2021 - Present; 15/20% of current role
At
the CMS Innovation Center (CMMI), work on 3 kidney related models of Comprehensive ESRD Care
(CEC), mandatory ESRD Treatment Choices (ETC), and the Kidney Care Choices {KCC). Duties include:
•
ETC Model Lead: November 2021 - Present
o Oversees overall direction for the model, coordinating model policy and
implementation, key dates, and deadlines under guidance and leadership
of Division
Leadership and identifies issues and areas
for future improvement
o Manages in conjunction with Division Leadership program assignments for team
members
o Manages in conjunction with Division Leadership clearance of all model
policy/operations
with federal partners including other model teams, PPG and other
CMMI components, CMMI Leadership, other CMS components, HHS components, OGC,
and the White House Kristen Constantine, MPH
-
o Coordinates communications with outside stakeholders and model participants
o Manages rule writing for any future rules
o Addresses program budget development, implementation, and updates to CMMI
budget call
letter requests in conjunction with Division Director's guidance
• Alignment
Lead and Participant Management co-lead for all 3 models
•
O Drafts and reviews participation agreements, policy documents, drafting proposed rules,
responding
to public comments (CMS-5527-F), respond to comments from the Office of
the General Counsel; help finalize CMS rules
o Review financial, beneficiary attribution (over 100,000 beneficiaries) , and participant
management reports (over 5,000 dialysis facilities and 5,000 nephrology professionals)
o Problem solve overlaps issues
for model beneficiaries and participants
O Analyze healthcare claims for utilization and clinical appropriateness
o Review COVID-19 impact
for beneficiaries
o Analyze Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients(SRTR), HRSA, UNOS and Medicare
data sources
as appropriate to create policy and operate models accordingly, such as for
beneficiary exclusions, quality measures, kidney disease comorbidities, incentivizing
kidney transplants, and promoting home dialysis
o Help build 4i functionality features,
an online portal for participants to review Model
reports and operations. Provide usability feedback
for tasks such as accessing reports
O Provide suggestions and memos for leadership staff regarding difficult policy decisions
KidneyX committee member
o Represent
CMS; Attend bi-weekly meetings with stakeholders and HHS members,
including members
from FDA and NIH
o Review materials for artificial kidney and COVID-19 kidney research proposals
• Communications
Lead for all 3 models
•
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•
•
o Produce a weekly KCC newsletter for 1,000+ contacts
O Provide communications for ETC listserv (9,000+ subscribers) and KCC listserv (23,000+)
listserv using govDelivery
o Lead contractors and create standard operating procedures and scripts for answering
helpdesk frequently asked questions and
other model operations
o Create beneficiary notifications and with legal assistance, draft appropriate webinars,
fact sheets, policy documents, emails, and waivers
o Lead and host webinars and office hours
O Respond to questions from stakeholders, physician groups, and media
o Lead coordination with the Office of Communications (OC) for clearing language,
webinar materials, and updating all 3 kidney Model websites
o Reviewed over 260 KCC applications; Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP} Chair for a subset
of applications
TEP member for $50 million compliance contractor across multiple models
Review statements
of work and assist with acquisition/ close out process of Model Applications
fixed price cost reimbursement contract
Attend MedPAC meetings
to understand general Medicare policy and recommendations; attend
conferences, briefings, and webinars regarding health equity, kidney and health policy
Frontier Community Health Integration Project
(CHIP) Demonstration assistance Kristen Constantine, MPH
-
o Assist the COR in reviewing contractor monthly progress and budget reports
o Review the involved Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for their telehealth, ambulance,
and/or swing bed interventions and flexibilities
•
As a Health Equity Strategist, provide collaboration across the Innovation Center to align Model
initiatives and outreach
with the Office of Minority Health's Plans and other HHS goals
The Bizzell Group. Lanham, MD
Scientific Research Associate: July 2018 -September 2019 40 hours a week
Contractor
for the National Cancer institute (NCI) Tobacco Control Research Branch (TCRB). Duties
include:
•
•
Provided research, administrative, and data analysis support to the Branch
Team member and Project
Lead on individual short term and long-term projects, 8-10 projects
at a time
• Project Lead for evaluating progress within the Cancer Center Cessation Initiative (C3i)
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o Project involves supplements given to Cancer Centers to update electronic health
records
(EHR) to document tobacco use and encourage tobacco cessation support to
cancer patients
O Liaison between NCl and main coordination center
o Evaluate progress reports
for 40+ centers by comparing original applications, progress
reports, site visit reports, reach, and effectiveness measures in order
to provide
recommendations
of re-funding the sites
NCI Uaison for Tobacco Regulatory Science Program (TRSP) within TCRB, led by the Food and
Drug Administration
(FDA). This included collaboration across multiple NIH agencies.
o
NCI portfolio included projects worth over $87 million
o Major focus includes e-cigarettes research, particularly in the youth population
o Liaison for grantee communications for R and K awards and cooperative agreements
o Provided scientific input to grant applications, RFAs, administration of grants, and
cooperative agreements
o Monitored, tracked, and briefed members on federal and state tobacco and vaping
regulations
Data analyses included literature reviews, contributing
to report production, planning and
supporting large meetings, assist
with webinars, and creating fact sheets
Reviewed over 1000 articles and coded over 700 articles
for global tobacco control in Africa
Research topics included domestic and international tobacco control, smoking cessation
practices and policies, health behavior, comorbidities
with tobacco use, patient generated
health outcomes, tobacco use in vulnerable populations (such
as HIV/AIDS patients, veterans,
military, and maternal and child health) and cancer survivorship
Employed epidemiological concepts and tools
to assist clients in defining public health research
questions, identifying potential data sources to test their hypotheses, and designing studies
o Assisted with analysis of national, longitudinal datasets, such as NHIS, NSDUH and PATH
Association of Maternal&. Child Health Programs (AMCHP), Washington, DC Kristen Constantine, MPH
-
Intern, Child and Adolescent Health Team: January 2018 -May 2018 20 hours/week
Completed a paid internship
with a national public health association representing maternal and child
health programs/ Title V
within state public health departments. Duties included:
• Provided research, survey, and qualitative analysis support
for AMCHP's Act Early State
Systems Grant program
to strengthen state and community systems for the early
identification and improve coordination
of early intervention services for children
o Included analyzing data and city/state policies
from 10+ year-long project
o Created, disseminated, and analyzed a survey to over 30 stakeholders on feedback of
the grant process and AMCHP's technical support
• Assisted
with the collection and dissemination of best to increase developmental screening
for all children, including children and youth with special health care needs
• Supported
the Adolescent and Young Adult Health National Resource Center (AYAH-NRC),
including research on increasing the percentage of youth receiving preventive well visits,
improving
the quality of visits, addressing confidentiality rights; and supporting public health
department partnerships
with school-based health centers and state foster care systems.
Includes research
on insurance programs and engaging with youth representatives and councils.
o Created
an online repository for stakeholders to search for specific resources. Topics for
wellness visits include quality improvement, outreach for specific audiences, and
providertraining resources
• Promoted
the dissemination of the Bright Futures preventive health guidelines
• Promoted quality improvement measures through evidence-based practices
• Supported workshops and activities
at the AMCHP annual meeting (900+ attendees)
University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School. Philadelphia. PA
Clinical Microbiology Technician: July 2011 - June 2016
Orchard Software System Administrator: November 2014 -June 2016, 40 hours/week
• Performed laboratory analysis, infection control, and operational support
for clinics, including
environmental checks
for hemodialysis machines and feline kidney transplant workups
• Provide and analyze antibiotic resistance trends and surveillance
• Provided data management services
for clinical veterinary studies and managed outside vendors
• Received mycology training
at the Mayo Clinic, focus included diagnosis and treatment for
transplant recipients and immunocompromised patients
• Cross-trained in clinical chemistry and hematology procedures, including cross-matching
• Supervised
work study undergraduate and veterinary students and 2 junior staff members
• Single handedly built
the microbiology database for the Electronic Health Records and
Laboratory system; trained over 30 people
• Recruited over
six new veterinary practices to use the laboratory services
• Managed grants and budgets
for the laboratory, including studies with the FDA
• Created the safety data sheet; Edited Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs}; Implemented 6
newSOPs
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Policy Lab, Philadelphia. PA
Fieldwork Intern:. January 2015 -May ,2015 15-20 hours/week
• Prepared policy briefs, talking points, summaries, and state public health profiles
for the Public
Health Subcommittee
of the Federal Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities Kristen Constantine, MPH
-
o State public health profiles included health department structure review and state
insurance/Medicaid/Medicare policies and foster care systems
• Assisted
with grant writing and engaging local and national stakeholders on pediatric concerns
• Evaluated home visiting programs, federal, state, and local policies
that addressed family
violence and substance/drug/opioid dependence
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Teaching Assistant Spring 20,15 10 hours/week
Provided support
to professor for graduate-level public health methods course with over 30 students.
Duties included teaching graduate and undergraduate students, grading assignments, and preparing
readings and
case studies.
RELAVANT VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia-Homeless Health Initiative. Philadelphia. PA
Volunteer, March 2012 - May 2016 2-6 hours/week
Employed trauma-informed care techniques
to instructed homeless children and families in coping
mechanisms, healthy eating habits and exercise. Strengthen partnerships between
CHOP and
community organizations through outreach events.
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. PA
Volunteer, January 2012 - July 2013 4 hours/week
• Supervised volunteer orientation, including patient interaction and
HIPAA compliance training
• Assisted medical and nursing staff in the maternity ward and trauma emergency
department_
EDUCATION
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA
61 credits complete; medical studies; 2016-2017
Related Coursework: Human Clinical Gross Anatomy, Biochemistry, Embryology, Histology,
Microbiology, Immunology, Musculoskeletal System, Neuro Anatomy, Clinical Neurology, Healthcare
Management; Medical Genetics, Human Sexuality, Pathology, Physiology
1 Pharmacology
University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, PA
Master of Public Health (MPH), 2016
• Related Coursework: Biostatistics, Environmental & Occupational Health. Epidemiology,
Behavior and Social Sciences, Leadership Skills, Ethics, Law,
& Policy, Health Law Reform,
Nonprofit Management
• Related Projects: "Voices of Health": Photo exhibit comparing perspectives of health among
the community • including drafting and distributing community health assessments ;Course
related fieldwork
with the Mexican immigrant population of South Philadelphia
• Capstone paper:
Linking Animal Cruelty and Child Maltreatment: An exploratory qualitative
analysis
of stakeholder perceptions of cross-reporting. Involved over 12 key informant
interviews in 4 different states. Interviewees represented child protective services, medicine/
pediatrics, veterinary medicine, and law/senators/policymakers Kristen Constantine, MPH
-
lmmaculata University. lmmaculata, PA
Bachelor ofScience {Major: Chemistry; Minor: Biology,) 2011
Related Coursework: Instrumental, Physical, and Inorganic Chemistry, Nutrition, Biochemistry,
Anatomy; Physics, Botany, Genetics, Statistics, Cell Biology, Sociology, Adolescent Addiction
AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS/PUBLICATIONS
• Mangold KN, Gallicchio L, Gaysynsky A, Kent EE, Constantine K, Hesse BW. Feasibility of
collecting patient-generated health data to enhance cancer registry surveillance. J Cancer Surviv.
2021Jan
5. doi: 10.1007/s11764-020-00970-z (2021)
• Recipient, Service Award, The Bizzell Group (2018)
• Recipient, Dr.
S. Kumanyika Public Health Leadership Award, University of Pennsylvania (2016)
• Vice President, lmmaculata University IU Bio-Chem Club (2010-2011}
• Secretary, Sigma Zeta National Science
& Mathematics Honor Society-lU (2011}
• Recipient,
IU Chemistry Medal (2011)
• Recipient, American Chemical
Sodety Scholastic Achievement Award (2011) * * * WF:.ARF:.
WAS f.llNGTON
oc
Executive Office of the Mayor -Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building J 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 I Washington, DC 20004-
Kristen Constantine
Kristen Constantine is the Assistant Vice President at Venn
Strategies and Continuum Health Group. She has extensive
experience analyzing and developing health policies and
partnering with various stakeholders.
Before her work with Venn Strategies and Continuum Health
Group, Ms. Constantine was a research analyst,
communications lead, and health equity strategist at the
Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services supporting kidney
health policy and value-based care. Her past work focused
on
preventive medicine, family violence prevention, and maternal
and child health issues. Ms. Constantine also previously served as intern at the Association for
Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) where she evaluated program implementation
and evidence-based practices· dissemination, including for Children and Youth with Special
Health Care Needs (CYSHCN). While living in Philadelphia, Ms. Constantine collaborated with
many community health centers. Through the Children's Hospital
of Philadelphia's Policy Lab,
she engaged stakeholders at federal, state, and local levels, preparing policy briefs, educational
material, and state public health profiles for the Public Health Subcommittee for the Federal
Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities. The focus included safe sleep, gun
safety and violence prevention, substance abuse, violence prevention and drowning prevention
measures as well as addressing systems involving military, foster care, and Medicaid / CHIP
programs.
A Ward 5 resident, Ms. Constantine received her bachelor's degree
from Immaculata University
and a master's degree
in public health from the University of Pennsylvania.
* * * GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
* * * WEARE
WASHING TON
oc
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
To:
From:
Date:
Subject: Tommy Wells, Steve Walker
Betsy Cavendish
April
5, 2023
Legal sufficiency review of Resolutions nominating Dr. Jacqueline Francis, Dr.
Cheryl Williams and Kristen Constantine as community representative members
of the Child Fatality Review Committee
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced resolution and
found it to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call Vanessa Careiro,, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at
202-724-1303, or me at 202-724-7681.
Elizabeth A. (Betsy) Cavendish
The John A, Wi1son:8uildi ng • 1350PennsylvaniaAvenue, NW • Suite300 • Washington,D,C, 20004 • Office(202)724-7681