Katie Dunn, Senior Program Director
Kathleen (Katie) Dunn comes to NASHP after a successful 23-year career with the NH Department of Health and Human Services. Beginning as the bureau chief of communicable diseases and then as a nurse consultant in maternal and child health, she was promoted and served as the Director of Public Health and Medicaid for the State of New Hampshire from 1999 – 2003, the Deputy Medicaid Director from 2003 – 2008 and in 2008 was appointed the Associate Commissioner and State Medicaid Director. As Medicaid Director Katie has overseen a number of health system and Medicaid reform initiatives including most recently the transition to Medicaid managed care and a Premium Assistance Program as part of the state’s Medicaid expansion. Katie has a special interest in the art and science of public health and quality improvement particularly as applied to the Medicaid population. In addition to being a registered nurse Katie received her Master’s degree in Public Health from Boston University with a concentration in Health Services Administration.
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For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
