Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • ESG: THE IMPLEMENTATION IMPERATIVE
Subscribe
  • Sign Up Free
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Current News
    • Providers
    • Insurance
    • Digital Health
    • Government
    • Finance
    • Technology
    • Safety & Quality
    • Transformation
    • People
    • Regional News
    • Digital Edition (Web Version)
    • Patients
    • Operations
    • Care Delivery
    • Payment
    • Midwest
    • Northeast
    • South
    • West
  • Unwell in America
  • Opinion
    • Bold Moves
    • Breaking Bias
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Vital Signs Blog
    • From the Editor
  • Events & Awards
    • Awards
    • Conferences
    • Galas
    • Virtual Briefings
    • Webinars
    • Nominate/Eligibility
    • 100 Most Influential People
    • 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives
    • Best Places to Work in Healthcare
    • Excellence in Governance
    • Health Care Hall of Fame
    • Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards
    • Top 25 Emerging Leaders
    • Top 25 Innovators
    • Diversity in Healthcare
      • - Luminaries
      • - Top 25 Diversity Leaders
      • - Leaders to Watch
    • Women in Healthcare
      • - Luminaries
      • - Top 25 Women Leaders
      • - Women to Watch
    • Digital Health Transformation Summit
    • ESG: The Implementation Imperative Summit
    • Leadership Symposium
    • Social Determinants of Health Symposium
    • Women Leaders in Healthcare Conference
    • Best Places to Work Awards Gala
    • Health Care Hall of Fame Gala
    • Top 25 Diversity Leaders Gala
    • Top 25 Women Leaders Gala
    • - Hospital of the Future
    • - Value Based Care
    • - Hospital at Home
    • - Workplace of the Future
    • - Digital Health
    • - Future of Staffing
    • - Hospital of the Future (Fall)
  • Multimedia
    • Podcast - Beyond the Byline
    • Sponsored Podcast - Healthcare Insider
    • Video Series - The Check Up
    • Sponsored Video Series - One on One
  • Data Center
    • Data Center Home
    • Hospital Financials
    • Staffing & Compensation
    • Quality & Safety
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Data Archive
    • Resource Guide: By the Numbers
    • Surveys
    • Data Points
  • MORE+
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Media Kit
    • Newsletters
    • Jobs
    • People on the Move
    • Reprints & Licensing
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. People
March 06, 2023 05:00 AM

How a career in social work prepared Mairéad McInerney for population health

Modern Healthcare
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Reprints Print
    Mairéad McInerney

    Mairéad McInerney
    Corporate director of population health-wellness coordination and member experience
    AmeriHealth Caritas
    Class of 2022

    Every year, Modern Healthcare selects 25 rising stars in the healthcare industry as part of its Emerging Leaders program, with each honoree profiled in an issue of the magazine and online. We spoke to Mairéad McInerney, corporate director of population health-wellness coordination and member experience at AmeriHealth Caritas, about how her experience in social work prepared her for her current role.

    Your early career roles were in social work. What attracted you to that field?

    My initial curiosity about the field was sparked by my high school and college experiences. I was a volunteer camp counselor for children and youth living with HIV diagnoses, and later I worked as a therapeutic support staff member in both classroom and residential settings. That gave me an opportunity to observe and interact with social workers in direct care, advocacy, administration and leadership roles. I wanted a career that would be purposeful and impactful. I recognized that social work would assist me in achieving these two goals, as well as providing me the flexibility to work with different populations and settings.

    How has social work experience supported your work leading community care and population health?

    My social work education and experiences in the field helped me recognize the importance of the individual and how they interact with the systems around them, including their family, neighborhood, community and much more. Social work showed me the importance of being a lifelong learner. My education in psychology and passion for social justice have informed the person-centered approach I take to my work, as well as my dedication to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, which is a major focus for all of us at AmeriHealth Caritas.

    What are the objectives of the initiatives you’re overseeing?

    Within the population health division, I oversee key national initiatives on health risk and social determinants of health assessments. I also provide wellness education and coordination on a variety of important topics, including nutrition and exercise; smoking cessation; behavioral health and Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it critical for members to be sure they are scheduling their wellness appointments and screenings so any health issues are revealed as early as possible.

    What was the most challenging pivot you had to make during the pandemic?

    A shared challenge among many leaders and organizations was the immediate shift to a remote workforce. There was no time for a dress rehearsal.

    How would you describe your leadership style?

    I strive to be inclusive, transparent and intentional. I bring my colleagues into conversations, meetings and projects to observe, participate and lead. I’m active in providing ongoing coaching and succession planning as well. This proved to be invaluable because, in November 2022, I received a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis. I was immediately out of the office for a month, but my team was prepared. They had the access and information they needed to immediately step into interim roles with confidence and ease. 

    Meet the Emerging Leaders Class of 2022.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Send us a letter

    Have an opinion about this story? Click here to submit a Letter to the Editor, and we may publish it in print.

    Recommended for You
    Mark Sevco
    Sutter Health names new COO
    Oscar’s Schlosser out as CEO, ex-Aetna chief Bertolini in
    Oscar’s Schlosser out as CEO, ex-Aetna chief Bertolini in
    Most Popular
    1
    More healthcare organizations at risk of credit default, Moody's says
    2
    Centene fills out senior executive team with new president, COO
    3
    SCAN, CareOregon plan to merge into the HealthRight Group
    4
    Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan unveils big push that lets physicians take on risk, reap rewards
    5
    Bright Health weighs reverse stock split as delisting looms
    Sponsored Content
    Get Newsletters

    Sign up for enewsletters and alerts to receive breaking news and in-depth coverage of healthcare events and trends, as they happen, right to your inbox.

    Subscribe Today
    MH Magazine Cover

    MH magazine offers content that sheds light on healthcare leaders’ complex choices and touch points—from strategy, governance, leadership development and finance to operations, clinical care, and marketing.

    Subscribe
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Modern Healthcare empowers industry leaders to succeed by providing unbiased reporting of the news, insights, analysis and data.

    Contact Us

    (877) 812-1581

    Email us

     

    Resources
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Editorial Dept
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Code of Ethics
    • Awards
    • About Us
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Modern Healthcare
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Current News
      • Providers
      • Insurance
      • Digital Health
      • Government
      • Finance
      • Technology
      • Safety & Quality
      • Transformation
        • Patients
        • Operations
        • Care Delivery
        • Payment
      • People
      • Regional News
        • Midwest
        • Northeast
        • South
        • West
      • Digital Edition (Web Version)
    • Unwell in America
    • Opinion
      • Bold Moves
      • Breaking Bias
      • Commentaries
      • Letters
      • Vital Signs Blog
      • From the Editor
    • Events & Awards
      • Awards
        • Nominate/Eligibility
        • 100 Most Influential People
        • 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives
        • Best Places to Work in Healthcare
        • Excellence in Governance
        • Health Care Hall of Fame
        • Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards
        • Top 25 Emerging Leaders
        • Top 25 Innovators
        • Diversity in Healthcare
          • - Luminaries
          • - Top 25 Diversity Leaders
          • - Leaders to Watch
        • Women in Healthcare
          • - Luminaries
          • - Top 25 Women Leaders
          • - Women to Watch
      • Conferences
        • Digital Health Transformation Summit
        • ESG: The Implementation Imperative Summit
        • Leadership Symposium
        • Social Determinants of Health Symposium
        • Women Leaders in Healthcare Conference
      • Galas
        • Best Places to Work Awards Gala
        • Health Care Hall of Fame Gala
        • Top 25 Diversity Leaders Gala
        • Top 25 Women Leaders Gala
      • Virtual Briefings
        • - Hospital of the Future
        • - Value Based Care
        • - Hospital at Home
        • - Workplace of the Future
        • - Digital Health
        • - Future of Staffing
        • - Hospital of the Future (Fall)
      • Webinars
    • Multimedia
      • Podcast - Beyond the Byline
      • Sponsored Podcast - Healthcare Insider
      • Video Series - The Check Up
      • Sponsored Video Series - One on One
    • Data Center
      • Data Center Home
      • Hospital Financials
      • Staffing & Compensation
      • Quality & Safety
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Data Archive
      • Resource Guide: By the Numbers
      • Surveys
      • Data Points
    • MORE+
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Newsletters
      • Jobs
      • People on the Move
      • Reprints & Licensing