HOPKINTON – South Kingstown resident Alison L. Croke is the new president and CEO of Wood River Health Services, which provides primary care, pediatrics, immunizations and chronic-disease management to more than 7,000 residents of the Hope Valley community in Hopkinton, board of directors Chairman Robin Devin announced.
Croke previously served as vice president of Medicaid-Medicare integration at Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island. She replaces Michael Lichtenstein, who had led the health center since 2010. Lichtenstein is taking a position as CEO for Integrated Health Partners, assisting community health centers, community action programs and community mental health centers in Rhode Island to transition to a new, value-based, outcomes-focused model of care for the state’s managed Medicaid population.
“Alison brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will greatly benefit Wood River Health Services and the community we serve,” Lichtenstein said. “I am delighted with the board’s selection, and I look forward to working with Alison to create a smooth transition of leadership for the organization.”
Prior to Neighborhood Health Plan, Croke worked with the R.I. Executive Office of Health and Human Services as an assistant project manager and as senior health program development specialist, developing new managed-care programs for Medicaid clients such as RIte Smiles and Rhody HealthPartners.
Croke has also worked as a senior project manager at Neighborhood and as program officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies in Princeton, N.J., developing systems of care for people with chronic illness and disabilities, children with special needs and other vulnerable populations.
She holds an undergraduate degree in biological sciences from the University of Vermont and a master’s degree in health administration from the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical College of Virginia.
“The board is very pleased to have a seasoned health care professional such as Alison as the next leader of WRHS,” Devin said. “Alison has over 23 years of experience in various positions in the health care field, including health care research, policy analysis, consumer engagement, project management, [National Committee for Quality Assurance] accreditation, Medicaid and Medicare services and benefits management, and health care advocacy. She has been engaged in program management, primary care program development, health policy work, strategic planning, staff management and other critical areas to support the delivery of health care and related services to safety-net patients and their families.”
Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Borkowski@PBN.com.
