Michelle is a research scientist on the ASPE Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) project. She is part of the research team providing the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) and PTAC with quantitative and qualitative analysis support during the PTAC physician-focused payment models (PFPMs) proposal review and theme-based discussions. She supports the planning and development of environmental scans, reports to the Secretary, and creates annual PTAC public meeting materials, meeting transcripts, and meeting minutes. She further supports the recruitment of subject matter experts for the annual meetings.

Previously, Michelle served as an associate director and researcher on the Impact Assessment of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality and Efficiency Measures project. She oversaw the research, planning, and delivery of large scale, high visibility research and policy work, such as the Measure Development Plan (MDP) Environmental Scan and Gap Analysis Report and the MDP Annual Report. She conducted evidence-based literature reviews and environmental scans to support the development of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) quality measures for contracts with CMS. This project synthesized information gathered from federal rules, measure stewards, and CMS project and measure leads.

Michelle’s previous research focused on vulnerable populations including older adults with dementia, residents of nursing homes, and persons taking antipsychotic medications, for which she led the study design, data collection, analysis, and IRB approval. During this time, she conducted and published multiple studies, including a systematic review and assessment of dementia caregiver training.