Heather N. Jacobson
Durham
Summary
Healthcare executive with 15+ years experience leading value-based care transformation, population health strategy, and post-acute network development. Proven track record of driving measurable outcomes across ACOs, CINs, and health systems through data-driven planning, cross-functional leadership, and regulatory expertise. Clinician-turned-administrator adept at bridging clinical insight and operational execution. Recognized for executive-level thinking, innovation, and collaborative leadership in complex healthcare environments.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Managing Director, Network & Performance
Evolent
11.2023 - Current
- Report directly to the President of Evolent’s primary care solution; accountable for the performance of a $1B+ MSSP Enhanced ACO and value-based care contracts.
- Lead a cross-functional team driving population health initiatives through rapid-cycle process improvement across a 10+ state provider network of 1,000+ primary care physicians.
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive network engagement strategy to align IPA executives, ACO board members, medical directors, providers, and practice staff around shared goals.
- Increased adoption of ACO services—including clinical programs, risk adjustment/coding support, and technology platforms—by tailoring outreach and engagement to stakeholder needs.
- Serve as Board Member for Evolent’s owned MSSP ACO (The Accountable Care Organization Ltd.); lead strategic discussions with IPA leadership and physician executives.
- Collaborate across Clinical Operations, Risk Adjustment, Quality, Payer Ops, Growth, Communications, Data & Analytics, Actuarial, and Product Development to ensure partner success.
- Achieved $132M+ in gross shared savings over 3 years
- : $21M (PY2021), $55M (PY2022), $56M (PY2023).
Senior Director, Performance
Evolent
04.2021 - 10.2023
- Directed performance strategy and execution for Evolent’s MSSP ACO and value-based contracts, with a focus on cost savings, quality improvement, and provider engagement.
- Built and scaled provider performance programs, aligning clinical and operational teams to support shared savings goals.
- Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to reduce total cost of care and improve outcomes across diverse markets.
- Supported executive reporting and board-level communications on ACO performance, risk adjustment, and quality metrics.
Senior Planning and Strategic Services Analyst
Duke Population Health Management Office / Duke Connected Care
08.2017 - 04.2021
- Led post-acute strategy for Duke’s CIN (5,000+ providers, 300K lives); developed partnerships across SNFs and Home Health.
- Conducted data analysis to assess network leakage, bundled payment performance, and strategic planning opportunities.
- Advised leadership on federal program regulations and operational impacts.
- Designed and implemented quality improvement initiatives using PDSA cycles in continuing care settings.
- Developed and led the SNF 3-Day Rule Waiver protocol for MSSP ACO.
- Co-led Duke TeleHOPE, a telehealth pilot that reduced readmissions and achieved cost savings.
- Managed direct reports and led initiatives on geriatrics, chronic pain, and DEI strategy.
Quality Reporting Consultant
Duke Health Private Diagnostic Clinic, PLLC
03.2013 - 08.2017
- Directed Meaningful Use program for 1,200+ providers, achieving 98–99% success across 5 years.
- Managed provider enrollment and compliance with Medicare/Medicaid reporting requirements.
- Collaborated with IT, compliance, and legal teams on EHR design and workflow optimization.
- Identified and resolved a $10M financial risk through executive engagement and audit strategy.
- Maintained 100% audit success rate across $3.1M in potential risk.
Education
Executive Master of Healthcare Administration -
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NCMaster of Science - Speech Language Pathology
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NCBachelor of Arts - Speech and Hearing Science
The Ohio State University
Skills
- Network Strategy & Development
- Value-Based Care & ACO Management
- Executive Stakeholder Engagement
- Population Health & Care Continuum Integration
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Data Analytics & Performance Reporting
Websites
Certification
- ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP)
- NC Licensure for Speech Language Pathology
- VitalStim Certified
- LSVT Certified
Awards
- Evolent Health Team Spotlight Award: Start by Listening
- (2022)
- ACHE NC Regent Award for Early Careerist
- (2020)
- DIHI Innovation Award
- Duke Institute for Health Innovation (2019)
- LEND Trainee
- HRSA Maternal and Child Health (2004)
Publications
- Safe Interorganizational Health Information Exchange During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- JAMDA, Oct 2020
- QI Initiative to Improve Transitional Care Processes Regarding Discharge from Skilled Nursing Facilities
- JAMDA, Mar 2020
- Executive Function and Language Production Abilities in Individuals with Probable Alzheimer’s Disease
- SpeechPathology.com, May 2004
Leadership & Volunteer Roles
- Therapy Dog Team & Evaluator
- Canine Companions (2025–Present)
- Volunteer Puppy Raiser
- Canine Companions (2022–Present)
- President
- Triangle Healthcare Executives’ Forum of NC (2017)
- Committee Member
- AMDA Clinical Issues Subcommittee (2019–Present)
- Mentor
- Fleet Feet Carrboro/Durham (2015–Present)
- Advisory Committee Member
- First Pages Durham (2016–2019)
Timeline
Managing Director, Network & Performance
Evolent
11.2023 - Current
Senior Director, Performance
Evolent
04.2021 - 10.2023
Senior Planning and Strategic Services Analyst
Duke Population Health Management Office / Duke Connected Care
08.2017 - 04.2021
Quality Reporting Consultant
Duke Health Private Diagnostic Clinic, PLLC
03.2013 - 08.2017
Master of Science - Speech Language Pathology
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Bachelor of Arts - Speech and Hearing Science
The Ohio State University
Executive Master of Healthcare Administration -
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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