Sarah Thomas Named Director of Research for Deloitte's Center for Health Solutions

NCQA Vice President Brings Background in Health Quality, Research and Policy

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Mar 17, 2014, 02:00 ET

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Deloitte has named Sarah Thomas, director, Deloitte Services LP, director of research for the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, a Washington-based institute delivering data-driven insights regarding the fundamental transformations underway in health care today.

Thomas will oversee a research agenda that helps industry stakeholders – including health care organizations and governments – cope with the market forces and policy directives impacting health care as it shifts from a volume to a value-based system more centered on cost and quality outcomes. The Center also helps employers in all industries understand health care's impact on competitiveness and human-capital planning.

Thomas comes to Deloitte from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, where she was vice president of public policy and communications. She has 13 years of government experience, including as deputy director at the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission and positions with the Congressional Budget Office and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. She also has worked in policy and research for health care associations and the Health Care Advisory Board.

Thomas holds a master's degree from the Harvard School of Public Health and is formerly the director of the Public Policy Institute Health Team at AARP, where she oversaw the execution and application of key reports and research.

"We are delighted to have Sarah join our team -- she brings a multidimensional view of health care to the role, given both her understanding of policy and the initiatives underway in the marketplace to increase quality and transparency," said Bill Copeland, vice chairman, US Life Sciences & Health Care Leader, Deloitte LLP. "We look forward to Sarah's leadership as we continue to build the Center for Health Solutions into one of the nation's premier sources of health-care research and analysis."

Thomas said one of her aims for the Center is to deliver a degree of insight that puts Deloitte's clients in a competitive advantage when it comes to formulating strategy and operations in light of the seismic shifts marking today's health care climate, particularly as they relate to the providers, plans and life sciences sectors.

"The entire health system is scrambling toward new models and relationships that are based on the need for greater quality, efficiency and transparency," said Thomas. "We will position the Center as a source of clarity as this process continues to unfold for consumers, businesses, governments and other stakeholders."

About Deloitte's Life Sciences and Health Care Practice

Deloitte's life sciences and health care practice brings fresh insight to clients and industry stakeholders. Deloitte offers a distinctive menu of professional services delivered in an integrated approach that address all segments of the health plan, health care provider and life sciences industries. For more information, visit www.deloitte.com/us/healthsciences.

As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

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SOURCE Deloitte