Utah Health Data Committee
The Utah Health Data Committee (HDC) was created by the laws of the State of Utah. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate, and represent various perspectives from industry and community – public health, purchasers, providers, payers, and patients. By law, members are required to have to have experience with health data.
The committee is required to meets at least quarterly; its activities and actions are governed by a set of committee adopted bylaws. View detailed information for scheduled Health Data Committee meetings.
Mission Statement (Adopted 1994, Amended 2020):
The mission of the Utah Health Data Committee is to support health improvement initiatives through the collection, analysis, and public release of health care information.
Through public-private collaboration, the Committee actively participates in the planning, development, implementation and maintenance of a statewide health data reporting system, which provides accurate and independently validated information regarding health care in the State of Utah.
The Committee implements policies to transform data into objective baseline, trend, and performance measurement information, which is made available while preserving patient privacy and confidentiality.
Subcommittees of the HDC:
The Utah Health Data Committee convenes a number of subcommittees, to help ensure its mission and value to the State. The name of each subcommittee and its purpose are listed below:
The HDC Executive Committee works to set the agenda and priorities for HDC meetings, addresses any compliance issues, such as responding to requests by data suppliers for extensions and exemptions. Also, this subcommittee provides support to the Department of Health when responding to legislative requests and issues.
The Utah Payers Advisory Subcommittee (UPAS) provides a forum for entities who submit data to the All Payer Claims Database, to share information and ideas on how to make the data submission process easier or more effective. This subcommittee also helps identify opportunities to provide valuable information to payers serving Utahns. This committee was formerly known as the Payer Task Force (PTF).
The Utah Healthcare Facilities Subcommittee (UHFS) provides a forum for entities who submit data to the Healthcare Facilities Database, to share information and ideas on how to make the data submission process easier or more effective, and identifies opportunities to provide valuable information to healthcare facilities across the State of Utah. This committee was formerly known as the Facilities Task Force (FTF).
The Data Use Subcommittee (DUS) helps interpret policies for access and use of HDC data, identifies opportunities to make data usable and actionable, and evaluates specific data use requests for appropriateness.
The Transparency Advisory Group (TAG) works to identify opportunities to make high value information on health care cost and quality available to Utahns - including businesses, consumers, and providers. The TAG also plans outreach and connections with stakeholders across the state. Lastly, the TAG provides expertise, guidance, feedback and input on data publications, to comply with state law (26B-8 Part 5).
Utah Health Data Committee Members
David Cook
Neutral Entity Representative
Comagine Health, Chair
Dave Cook is the State Director for Comagine Health (formerly HealthInsight) in Utah. He oversees the Utah Community board, the Utah Partnership for Value, the Utah office team, and most Utah based contracts. He also directs a six-state (UT, NV, NM, OR, WA, ID) team fighting opioid misuse. He presents regularly, and continues quality and health information technology consulting activities. He works closely with the Utah Department of Health. He chairs the Utah Diabetes Coalition. He is experienced in managing complex quality improvement (QI) projects and collaboratives with demonstrated impact since 2005. He has a BS in Chemistry, an MBA (healthcare) and certifications in healthcare quality, health information technology, and laboratory science. He has a clinical background as a clinical toxicologist. He is passionate about quality improvement, and value based medicine. When not working, Dave enjoys spending time with his family and hiking throughout Utah.
Laura Summers
Public Health Representative
Kem C. Gardner Institute, Vice-Chair
Laura Summers serves as the senior health care analyst at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, conducting research on health care data, policies, and impacts to the Utah health care sector. Summers has expertise in health care, economics, and public policy. Her professional experience includes research for the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. In health care, Summers’ research focus is state-level health reform, with a particular focus in Medicaid, public health, and health insurance markets. Prior to joining the Institute, Summers was the senior director of state intelligence at Leavitt Partners, where she prepared detailed studies of state-by-state comparative data and analyzed national and state health care programs, policies, and trends. In addition to providing research and consulting services to payers, providers, and other health care companies, Summers led health care reform initiatives in states such as Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Washington State. Summers also oversaw the Leavitt Partners teams in designing, managing, and facilitating stakeholder engagement processes for state government projects. Summers previously served as the research director of the Utah Foundation – a nonprofit research firm that publishes reports on issues affecting government policies. Summers received her master of public policy with an emphasis in public economics from Brigham Young University and her bachelor’s degree in economics from Westminster College.
Charles W. Foldyna-Hawley
Consumer Advocate Representative
National Association of Health Data Organizations
Charles William Hawley currently serves as the Director of Projects at the National Association of Health Data Organizations (NAHDO). NAHDO is a national non-profit membership and educational organization dedicated to improving the collection and use of healthcare data. NAHDO’s members include state and private health data organizations that maintain statewide health care databases and stakeholders of these databases in the public and private sectors. NAHDO and its members are leaders in hospital discharge data and reporting systems and All-Payer Claims Databases (APCDs). Charles came to NAHDO as a research consultant and healthcare analyst experienced with administrative healthcare data in the public and private sectors. From 2011 to 2018, he served as a Research Consultant III in the Health Care Information and Analysis/Health Care Statistics program (HIA/HCS) (then-named Office of Health Care Statistics) where he contributed to establishing the APCD and modernizing the Healthcare Facility Database. Charles was awarded a Master’s degree in sociology from Kansas State University and an undergraduate degree in history and sociology from Weber State University.
David Crockett
Hospital Representative
Intermountain Healthcare
David Crockett is the Assistant Vice President for Clinical Analytics at Intermountain Healthcare, leading data and analytics efforts in Clinical Programs, Clinical Shared Services, Office of Patient Experience, and the Office of Research. David joined Intermountain in 2016. Prior to that, he led the Research Analytics and Data Science teams at Health Catalyst for three years, and also held a number of research and leadership roles with ARUP Laboratories. David completed undergraduate training in molecular biology from Brigham Young University. His PhD training was focused on computational prediction of gene variants from the Biomedical Informatics department in the University of Utah School of Medicine. With many years of “bench to bedside” experience in clinical diagnostics, data science, and patient care, David has published more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles in areas such as bioinformatics, biomarker discovery, immunology, molecular oncology, and genomics. He is keenly focused on providing real world applications for data driven decision making in healthcare. Dr. Crockett grew up in a small farm town in southern Arizona. He and his wife have been married for more than 25 years with two boys and a beagle named Harley, and enjoy yard work, home remodeling, jeep wranglers and baseball games.
Jeffrey Eason
Public Health Representative
Utah Department of Health & Human Services
Jeffrey Eason has been a member of the Utah Health Data Committee since 2020 and currently serves as the Director of the Office of Communicable Disease at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. He possesses a strong background in healthcare and public health data systems, their privacy considerations, and analytic uses. His primary focus is on providing access, transparency, infrastructure, and technical assistance to public health partners and communities, enabling them to effectively engage with and leverage health data. With over 15 years of experience in local and state public health, Mr. Eason is deeply committed to the ethical use and security of health data for the benefit of all.
Dr.Dorothea Verbrugge
Physician Representative (UMA)
Shoreline Psychology
Dr. Verbrugge is a board-certified, licensed family physician representing the Utah Medical Association. She completed Family Medicine Residency at St Mark's Hospital inSalt Lake City, and her medical career has included a family medicine practice and health care administration as a Medical Director at SelectHealth, an AVP of Integrated Care Management at Intermountain Healthcare, and as VP of Clinical Quality at CVS Health. Dr. Verbrugge is currently associated with Shoreline Psychology in Salt Lake City as a medical physician supporting integrated mental health care. She has additional training in clinical mental health counseling and spiritual care.
Javier Chavez, Jr.
Business Representative
Mary Laughlin
Third Party Payer
Molina Healthcare
Mary Laughlin brings over 20 years of experience in managed care operations, with expertise spanning provider network management, claims administration, quality improvement, risk adjustment, operations, provider relations, and appeals and grievances. Throughout her career, She has focused on improving data integrity, operational efficiency, and member outcomes. She looks forward to contributing her experience and collaborating with fellow committee members to support effective data governance and informed healthcare decision-making. Ms. Laughlin feels honored to have been selected to serve on the Health Data Committee.
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Vacant
Insurance Payer Representative
The Health Data Committee is looking for a qualified individual to fill this position. please visit https://boards.utah.gov/s/ to apply.
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Curtis Newman
Large Business Representative
Iron Road Healthcare
Curtis Newman is an experienced professional in health care law, risk management, health plan operations and health care operations. He has gained his experience through employment with several health care organizations, including University of Utah Health, where he worked in various positions for over 25 years. A highlight during his tenure was participating in the changeover from paper medical records to electronic medical records and sitting on several advisory committees whose purpose it was to expand the availability of health information while protecting anonymity.
Currently, Mr. Newman is the Director of Medical and Legal Services for Union Pacific Railroad Employees Health System where he oversees plan benefits and regulatory and legal compliance. Mr. Newman started his career as a pediatric nurse caring for premature infants. He has not forgotten his nursing roots even after pursing an MBA from BYU and graduating with a Juris Doctor for the University of Idaho School of Law. Mr. Newman has served as an adjunct clinical professor at Brigham Young University College of Nursing since 2011. He has lectured on the American health care system and electronic medical records while on assignments in Finland and Russia.
Mr. Newman believes in giving back to his community through service in various organizations. He has served for nearly fifteen years as the Board of Trustees Chair for Itineris Early College High School an award-winning, nationally recognized charter school in West Jordan, Utah. He also serves as the Chair of the Alumni Board of the College of Nursing at Brigham Young University. As a member of the Utah State Bar, he generously donates his time and legal expertise to those in need.
Tanji Northrup
Insurance Department Designee
Utah Insurance Department
Tanji Northrup has over 30 years of experience working in health insurance in both the public and private sector. She has served at the Utah Insurance Department for 25 years in various positions, but most recently as Deputy Commissioner. Ms. Northrup is responsible for the implementation state and federal health care insurance reform efforts, regulation of health, life and annuity products and oversees the administrative division which includes contracting and budgeting. She represents the Department on legislative issues, task forces, and committees, in addition to health insurance committees at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Ms. Northrup is a key advisor to the Governor’s Office, the Insurance Commissioner, as well as members of the Utah Legislature regarding life and health insurance related issues. Ms. Northrup received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management with an emphasis in finance at Westminster College.
Alan Ormsby
Consumer Advocate Representative
AARP
Alan Ormsby leads AARP Utah with a strong background in advocacy for Utah’s older adults and people with disabilities. His education is in law, with a focus on health care law, long-term care, home and community-based services, HIPAA, Medicare and Medicaid. Immediately prior to joining AARP in 2011, Alan served as the Director of the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) leading Utah’s efforts to provide the best possible services for people with disabilities. Before serving as the DSPD Director, Alan was the Director of Aging and Adult Services at the State of Utah, and in this role was responsible for statewide home- and community-based services for Utahns 60 and over. In addition, he worked with the local Area Agencies on Aging, and was instrumental in drafting legislation to initiate Utah’s Commission on Aging. Alan is currently a member of the Commission on Aging and is on the Alzheimer’s Association’s Board. Alan received his undergraduate degree from the University of Utah and law degree from Quinnipiac University.
Susan Longfield
Large Business Representative
Intellimed
VP Growth Strategy and Development at Intellimed
Susan Longfield is an accomplished healthcare leader and strategist with over 25 years of experience transforming data into actionable intelligence. Susan has worked directly with healthcare data her entire career and is a passionate advocate for improving data quality and accessibility to improve outcomes and reduce costs. Susan currently serves as the Vice President of Growth Strategy and Development at Intellimed, a healthcare data analytics company. Before joining Intellimed and moving to Utah, Susan worked in various health system strategy and finance roles in Michigan and Arizona, most recently as the Director of Strategic Planning for Northern Arizona Healthcare. Skilled at connecting data to strategy and bridging the gap between thought and action, Susan continues to look for ways data can better support and inform decisions. During her tenure at Intellimed, she has used her expertise to launch new products that help providers improve access to care in their markets and has championed getting healthcare data in the hands of rural and critical access hospitals. Susan has a Bachelor of Science in Education with a composite in Business Administration from Brigham Young University and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Society for Healthcare Strategy and the Market Development and Healthcare Financial Management Association. When not working, Susan enjoys being active and spending time with her family.
Russell Trujillo
Payer Representative
MotivHealth
Vacant
Physician Representative
The Health Data Committee is looking for a qualified individual to fill this position. please visit https://boards.utah.gov/s/ to apply.
Senator Heidi Balderree
Legislative Representative
Sen. Heidi Balderree represents Senate District 22, covering much of Utah County, including parts of Lehi, Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain, as well as a sliver of Draper in Salt Lake County. Sen. Balderree was elected in a special election to the Senate in October of 2023 and was re-elected in 2024. She is a co-chair of the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee and serves on the Senate Education Committee, the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee and the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.
Before joining the Senate, Sen. Balderree was active in Republican Party leadership, serving multiple times as a precinct chair, two years as Secretary of the Utah County Republican Party and four terms on the Republican State Central Committee. She also served a three-year appointment on the Utah County Planning Commission, including time as Chair.
She is a former educator in grades 4-12, teaching Japanese and Spanish. She worked on policy reform as the Community Engagement Director for Americans for Prosperity Utah in Lehi prior to the legislature and now works as a Business Evaluator for Western Governors University in the Graduate Business Ethics Department. She holds a Master's of Human Resource Management from the Keller Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor’s from Brigham Young University.
In 2024, Sen. Balderee received the Friend of the Utah Taxpayer Award with a perfect score and the highest rating, 97%, in the legislature for defending liberties from the Libertas Institute.
Sen. Balderree and her husband, John, live in Saratoga Springs and have been married for 29 years. They are the proud parents of four children.
Representative Norm Thurston
Legislative Representative
Norm Thurston was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in 2014. In his day job, he is the executive director at the National Association of Health Data Organizations (NAHDO). Dr. Thurston was a policy analyst and health economist for the Utah Department of Health from 2003 until 2013. From 2013 to 2019 he was the Director of the Office of Health Care Statistics which is responsible for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data related to health care cost and quality for the State of Utah. In previous roles he served as policy adviser and executive staff for health system reform efforts in the State of Utah. Before joining the state, Dr. Thurston worked for eight years as an assistant professor of economics at Brigham Young University and has a Masters and Ph.D. in economics from Princeton University.