Tara McMullen, Ph.D., MPH, FGSA

Deputy Director, Division of Quality Measurement @ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

About

I serve as the Deputy Director for the Division of Quality Measurement (DQM) within QMVIG/CCSQ/CMS. In this capacity, I lead national strategies for quality measurement across 19 Medicare programs, spanning Post-Acute and Long-Term Care, Hospital Inpatient, and ESRD settings. I support the development of payment and service delivery models that drive measurable improvements in clinical outcomes and align with emerging health care trends. Furthermore, I support the development and implementation of digital quality measures to improve care for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries nationwide. Previously, at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, I directed initiatives on opioid safety, pain management, and alignment of quality measures with payment models, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence. Known for fostering collaboration with stakeholders and delivering data-driven insights, I strive to promote equitable, age-friendly healthcare solutions. A commitment to advancing patient-centered care underpins my expertise in healthcare policy and quality improvement.

Country

United States

City

Baltimore

Industry

Public Policy

Skill

Analytical Skills, Policy Analysis, Public Health, Program Evaluation, Public Policy, Public Speaking, Non-profits, Advocacy, Gerontology, Higher Education, Teaching, Grant Writing, Policy, Nonprofits, Program Development, Qualitative Research, Newspapers, Leadership Development, Editing, Data Analysis

Experience

Deputy Director, Division of Quality Measurement

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

2024-4 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

Quality Measurement & Value-Based Incentives Group, Center for Clinical Standards & Quality

As Deputy Director of the Division of Quality Measurement (DQM) in QMVIG/CCSQ/CMS, I lead efforts to advance national quality measurement initiatives. I am also detailed to the CMMI Quality Vertical, where I serve as a Senior Advisor for Quality Measurement. As Deputy Director for the Division of Quality Measurement (DQM), I co-lead the quality measurement strategy and development for 19 QMVIG programs, including the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care programs, Hospital Inpatient programs, Outpatient/Ambulatory/Clinical programs, ESRD program, and support digital measure development. The goal of DQM is to improve the quality of care for all beneficiaries.

Associate Editor, Public Policy & Aging Report

Gerontological Society of America (GSA)

2024-1 - Present · 2 yrs 9 mos

Associate Director, Opioid Safety, Veterans Administration- Pain Management

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

2021-1 - 2024-4 · 3 yrs 4 mos

Pain Management and Opioid Safety (PMOP) National Program, VHA

As Associate Director for Opioid Safety, I led initiatives such as the VA Pain Measure set and supported the writing of the VA Pain Management and Opioid Safety Directive 1151. My executive oversight extended to all aspects of PMOP operations, including budget management, contract oversight, and strategic planning. I briefed senior leadership on complex issues, coordinated inquiries, and drove initiatives to enhance healthcare delivery and promote veterans' well-being. I served on the planning committee for the “Measuring What Matters: Patient-Reported Outcomes of Overall Health, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Well-Being in Clinical Care, Research, and Population Health Promotion” 2023 State of the Art (SOTA) Conference. Furthermore, I served as co-lead of national hiring, policy development, and engagement with stakeholders for all VHA, reflecting my commitment to advancing healthcare standards and advocating for those who have served our nation.

Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Master's in Aging and Health Program

Georgetown University

2020-1 - 2024-2 · 4 yrs 2 mos

Master's in Aging and Health Program

Adjunct Faculty for the Master of Science in Aging and Health program. Course Instructor for the Aging Policy class.

Technical Advisor, Post-Acute Data and Measure Development

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

2018-7 - 2021-1 · 2 yrs 7 mos

Division of Chronic and Post-Acute Care, QMVIG/CCSQ

Technical Advisor (DCPAC/QMVIG/CCSQ): Quality Measures and Data Analytics. Work focuses on standardized data comparison, site-neutral payment systems, and value-based care.

Health Analyst, Post-Acute and Long-Term Care

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

2012-7 - 2018-6 · 6 yrs

Division of Chronic & Post Acute Care, QMVIG

Cross Setting Health Analyst for the Division of Chronic & Post Acute Care, and technical lead for work focused on standardizing post-acute care assessment data and quality measures as mandated by the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014 (IMPACT Act of 2014). The IMPACT Act of 2014 requires the implementation of quality measures and assessment data that are standardized across four care settings: Long‐Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs), Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs), Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), and Home Health Agencies (HHAs).

Pathways Summer Intern, Post-Acute and Long-Term Care

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

2012-5 - 2012-7 · 3 mos

Quality Measurement and Health Assessment Group

Summer Intern for the Division of Chronic & Post Acute Care assisting with the quality measurement and development for process, outcome, and condition-specific quality measures. Work tasks additionally include conducting analyses to identify and understand the needs and preferences of HHS service programs and populations.