Dr. Amy Boutwell, M.D., MPP, founder and president of Collaborative Healthcare Strategies, was awarded the prestigious Dr. Martin L. Block Award for Innovation & Excellence at the RISE National 2024 conference. Sponsored by Nymbl, the award recognizes Boutwell's leadership in improving the lives of America's seniors through clinical innovation and policy vision, aligning with the RISE mission to promote continuous healthcare system improvement.
Boutwell was selected from 12 nominations for her development of models that reduce hospital readmissions, accelerate the transition to value-based payment models, and transform care for multi-visit patients (MVPs)—individuals who experience recurrent acute care utilization, often seniors. Over 275 hospital-based teams have participated in her MVP Implementation Coaching Program, leading to significant reductions in emergency visits and lengths of stay for these patients.
'Dr. Boutwell's work speaks volumes about her commitment to transforming health care delivery, especially for multi-visit patients, who are so often America's seniors,' said Ana Handshuh, principal at CAT5 Strategies and a member of the Block Award committee. 'She's challenged the notion that recurrent acute care is insurmountable, proving that impactful change is achievable.'
The award honors the late Dr. Martin L. Block, a regular speaker at RISE National and an expert in the risk adjustment industry. RISE is the premier community for healthcare professionals focused on accountable care and government healthcare reform, offering networking, education, industry intelligence, and career development opportunities.
For HR vendors, this recognition underscores a growing trend: healthcare systems are prioritizing value-based care models that reduce costs and improve outcomes for high-utilization patients. Boutwell's coaching program demonstrates a scalable approach that yields measurable results, presenting opportunities for vendors specializing in analytics, care coordination, and patient engagement tools. As hospitals and health plans shift toward population health management, solutions that support MVP identification and intervention will be in high demand. The award also highlights the importance of clinical leadership in driving adoption of these models, suggesting that vendors should partner with thought leaders to enhance credibility and market reach.
