In an era where access to high-quality health care is paramount, TrueCare has made significant strides towards enhancing Mississippi’s health system by appointing three new leaders to its executive team. These strategic appointments are anticipated to have a profound impact on the organization’s mission of improving health care access and outcomes across the state. By leveraging their extensive experience and expertise, these leaders aim to synchronize health insurance payers and providers, enhance member health outcomes, and efficiently manage Medicaid costs. TrueCare is partly owned by King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven, in collaboration with nearly 60 other hospitals and health systems in Mississippi, underlining its substantial influence and reach in the state’s health care landscape.
Strategic Leadership Appointments
Ashley Thompson has taken the helm as TrueCare’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With over 14 years of experience in health care policy, Medicaid managed care, and government relations, Thompson brings a wealth of strategic vision and operational expertise to the role. She has previously served as an advocacy director and lobbyist for the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics – Mississippi Chapter. Her tenure as an attorney and lobbyist with Jones Walker LLP further underscores her profound understanding of the legal and policy aspects of health care. Armed with a Juris Doctor from Mississippi College School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in business from the University of Mississippi, Thompson is well-equipped to steer TrueCare towards achieving its mission.
Joining her is John Mitchell, the newly appointed Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of TrueCare. With over 35 years of experience, Mitchell is the immediate past president of the Mississippi State Medical Association and a former director of the Office of the Mississippi Physician Workforce. His career began as a registered pharmacist in Oxford before transitioning to serve in the military, later earning a medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. Completing a family medicine residency at UAB Family Medicine Residency in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and a faculty development fellowship at Michigan State University, Mitchell’s extensive medical and leadership background will be instrumental in shaping TrueCare’s clinical strategies and initiatives.
Chris Loftin, the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of TrueCare, brings nearly three decades of experience in health care financial operations. Loftin’s expertise spans revenue cycle management, claims adjudication, and financial operations in both the provider and payer sectors. Holding a Bachelor of Science in business administration from The University of Southern Mississippi, Loftin has co-founded and co-chaired the Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA) Revenue Cycle Roundtable. He also contributes to the MHA President’s Council and has served on the Mississippi Healthcare Financial Management Association Board of Directors. His extensive experience and financial acumen are expected to bolster TrueCare’s financial strategies and operational efficiency.
Enhancing Health Care Access and Outcomes
Under this new leadership, TrueCare is determined to significantly improve health care access and outcomes across Mississippi. The organization’s innovative provider-payer alliance model aims to create a seamless and efficient health care delivery system. By giving providers a substantial voice in decision-making and utilizing a patient-first approach, TrueCare emphasizes the alignment of incentives and enhancement of care coordination. This model is backed by CareSource’s extensive experience in managed health plans, ensuring the implementation of best practices in health care management and delivery.
With a commitment to enhancing health outcomes while managing costs effectively, the Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM) selected TrueCare to offer coverage statewide starting this July. This decision highlights the confidence placed in TrueCare’s ability to deliver on its promise of high-quality, patient-centered care. As the organization prepares for its upcoming Open Enrollment, it is actively recruiting to fill various new roles across the state. These roles, spread across care management, provider relations, and member services, aim to create local employment opportunities and strengthen TrueCare’s foundation for delivering high-quality health care.
A Bright Future for Mississippi Health Care
Ashley Thompson has been appointed as the new CEO of TrueCare, bringing over 14 years of experience in health care policy, Medicaid managed care, and government relations. Her background includes roles as advocacy director and lobbyist for both the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics – Mississippi Chapter. Thompson’s time as an attorney and lobbyist with Jones Walker LLP highlights her deep legal and policy knowledge in health care. With a Juris Doctor from Mississippi College School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in business from the University of Mississippi, she is ideally suited to guide TrueCare toward its mission.
Joining the leadership team is John Mitchell, the new Chief Medical Officer (CMO), who has over 35 years of experience. Mitchell is the former president of the Mississippi State Medical Association and the ex-director of the Office of the Mississippi Physician Workforce. He started as a registered pharmacist before transitioning to the military and then pursued a medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. His expertise will be crucial for TrueCare’s clinical strategies.
Chris Loftin, the new CFO, has nearly 30 years of experience in health care financial operations, including revenue cycle management and claims adjudication. He earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from The University of Southern Mississippi. Loftin’s extensive financial background is expected to enhance TrueCare’s financial strategies and operational efficiency.
