Washington, D.C. and Portland, ME – January 21, 2026 – Civitas Networks for Health® is entering 2026 by building on a year of transformation, growth, and collective progress toward a more connected and data-driven health ecosystem.
At the end of 2025, Civitas released its first-ever Impact Report, highlighting the strength and scale of its national network and the tangible impact of members’ work across communities nationwide. The report captures progress in interoperability, public health data modernization, quality improvement, value-based care, and community-driven innovation, demonstrating the power of local implementation with national reach.
“Our members serve as critical national infrastructure for health, and this report reflects what’s possible when community-led organizations work together at scale,” said Jolie Ritzo, who assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) this fall. “As we enter 2026, we are proud of the momentum built over the past year and grateful to our members, staff, and partners who continue to advance meaningful, data-led collaboration. With strong leadership and a clear strategic vision, Civitas is well-positioned for the year ahead.”
2026 Board of Directors Election Results
Civitas is excited to share the newly elected and returning 2026 Board of Directors with Board officer appointments. The Civitas Board is composed of dedicated leaders who will help guide the national network in the year ahead. The following individuals were elected by their peers to representthe interests of Civitas’ 160+ member organizations and strengthen the collective voice of local implementers nationwide:
- Board Chair: Gabrielle Rude, President and CEO, Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality (returning board member)
- Board Vice Chair: Kyle B. Russell, CEO, Virginia Health Information (new board member)
- Treasurer: Dan Porreca, President and CEO, HEALTHeLINK (returning board member)
- Government Relations and Advocacy Committee Chair: Craig Behm, President and CEO, Chesapeake Regional Information Systems for Our Patients (CRISP) (returning board member)
- Immediate Past Chair: Marc Bennett, CEO, Comagine Health (Ex Officio, returning board member)
- Jaime Bland, Strategic Advisor, CyncHealth (re-elected board member)
- Sarah Irsik-Good, President and CEO, KFMC Health Improvement Partners (new board member)
- Carmen Hughes, Executive Director, HI-BRIDGE HIE, Morehouse School of Medicine (returning board member)
- Melissa Kotrys, CEO, Contexture (returning board member)
- Van Le, Program Manager, Louisiana Public Health Institute (PelEx) (Emerging Leaders Council Chair, new non-voting board member)
- Kristin Paulson, CEO, Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC) (returning board member)
- Ben Tyrrell, CEO, Big Sky Care Connect (new board member)
In a significant milestone, Joseph Kanter, CEO of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), and Theresa Dreyer, CEO of the Health Care Transformation Task Force, were appointed as Civitas’ first-ever external directors, expanding the insight and perspective of the organization’s Board of Directors.
Leadership and Team Growth
This year saw several leadership transitions and additions to the Civitas team:
- Jolie Ritzo was named CEO, following years of service to the organization and its predecessor organization in programmatic, strategic, and leadership roles.
- Jessica Little was promoted to Chief Operating and Programs Officer, overseeing operations, strategy, and member programs, after years of work supporting the organization
- David Kendrick and Karen Ostrowski joined the Civitas team as subject matter consultants, bringing deep expertise in health information exchange (HIE), population health, health policy, and program evaluation to support members and strategic initiatives.
Civitas’ Plans for 2026
Civitas is already planning the 2026 Civitas Annual Conference, set for September 22–24 in Crystal City, Virginia. The event will once again bring together leaders in health data, quality, public health, and community-based care to exchange ideas, share progress, and shape the future.
To stay up to date on Civitas programs and events, visit www.civitasforhealth.org.
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