Executive in Residence
2024 Executive in Residence
Panel Discussion
February 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Ruth Pike Auditorium (Room 022 BBH Building)
The panel discussion featured Executive in Residence Jennifer Langer Jacobs and MHA alumni Erica Kahl and Imani Adegbuyi. View the recording.
About the panelists
Jennifer Langer Jacobs currently serves as Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in New Jersey’s Department of Human Services. In her current role, Jacobs leads New Jersey’s Medicaid program and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which together are known as NJ FamilyCare.
She is passionate about making government programs work the best way possible for the people they serve. Before leading the largest long-term care plan in Florida, she spent eleven years in leadership at Amerigroup New Jersey, most recently as Chief Operating Officer. Earlier in her career, she worked in the New Jersey Senate Majority Office on a range of legislative initiatives and taught fifth grade in Jersey City.
Jacobs will visit Penn State University Park from February 20-22 to share her industry experience and expertise with current students. As part of the Executive in Residence event, she will meet with 1st and 2nd year MHA students and speak in HPA classes.
Erica Kahl is an emerging healthcare leader and business strategist driven to position health systems for the future through care delivery transformation, strategic partnerships, and consumer-focused solutions. Erica currently serves as the Director of Growth and Business Development for WellSpan Health. In this role, she leads the creation of new ventures that strengthen the organization's market position in south-central Pennsylvania and has direct oversight of analytics operations for physician practice acquisitions and direct-to-employer services.
Erica extends her service into her local and professional communities, serving on multiple boards and committees including the United Way of York County, the YWCA of York, and ACHE of Central Pennsylvania. Outside of the office, Erica enjoys gardening, traveling, golfing, cooking, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Imani Adegbuyi is a Nigerian-American native of Queens, New York. Imani currently serves as an Executive Director in Medical Group Administration at Henry Ford Health. She has always been passionate about helping and serving others, and aspires to provide the best healthcare experience for children, especially those with limited access to care. Her ultimate career aspirations are to leverage the strengths of the US health care system to reduce infant mortality globally and provide high quality health education to vulnerable communities.
Imani has also enjoyed being a member of many service organizations including but not limited to the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), Alpha Nu Omega Sorority, Incorporated, and Crossover Church. In her spare time, Imani loves to travel, sing, try new restaurants, and spend time with friends.
Darren and Ellen Lehrich HPA Executive in Residence Endowment
Thanks to a generous gift from Ellen and Darren Lehrich, the Department of Health Policy and Administration has established the Darren and Ellen Lehrich HPA Executive in Residence Endowment. This endowment allows the department to invite high-level leaders in the healthcare sector to Penn State University Park to share their industry experience, insights and expertise, and build connections with faculty and current students.
The Executive in Residence program bolsters the department's professional development initiatives, connecting students to healthcare executives and creating new paths to areas of the healthcare sector where there is a demand for talented recent graduates.
Recap the inaugural HPA Executive in Residence event, featuring Ken Fasola, president of Centene Corporation.
- Past speakers
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- 2023: Ken Fasola, president, Centene Corporation
