Linda Shelton, Partner at Discern Health, has more than 30 years of experience developing programs focused on innovations in health care. She has focused particularly on the patient-centered medical home since 2001. At Discern, she leads client projects related to quality measurement and the medical home, and participates in the overall management of the firm. Her current projects include the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians’ PCMH University, the Maryland Multi-Payer PCMH Pilot, the analysis of IT vendor products for PCMH support, and a case study of how PCMHs perform well on diabetes outcomes.

Prior to joining Discern, Linda operated her own consulting enterprise, LKS Consulting, advising clients on quality improvement initiatives and health care management strategies. She has a 20-year association with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as both an executive and a consultant. At NCQA she led the development of several NCQA physician measurement programs, including Physician Practice Connections (PPC—the forerunner of PCMH recognition) and the operation of PPC and NCQA’s Diabetes and Heart-Stroke Recognition Programs. In addition, she managed NCQA’s contracts with Bridges to Excellence and the Integrated Healthcare Association’s pay-for-performance program in California. She also directed the work of several NCQA advisory panels with national leaders from physician organizations, health plans, employers and government, and focus groups of consumers. Prior to 1993, Linda worked in consumer health education, managed care, IT, and public health.

Linda has a master’s degree in health care administration from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University. She has served as a speaker and task force participant for many national organizations, including eHI, the National Business Coalition on Health, the Care Continuum Alliance and the Health IT Summit.