About The Novant Health Center for Public Policy Solutions
The Novant Health Center for Public Policy Solutions addresses the most pressing healthcare challenges of our time. To ensure a healthier future for all, we provide public policy solutions that improve patient care, increase access to safe and quality healthcare, promote greater affordability, and remove regulatory barriers that prevent patients from getting the care they need. Our frontline clinicians identify real patient challenges and transform them into actionable policy recommendations.
Steering committee & staff
Sidney Fletcher, MD
Dr. Fletcher currently serves as the chief clinical officer for Novant Health’s greater Charlotte market. He currently leads the market “First Do No Harm” committee and is dedicated to safety and quality initiatives across the market and the broader Novant Health system. He is also a member of the Novant Health Foundation Board. Dr. Fletcher is a board-certified emergency medicine physician by training. He enjoys championing patient-centered initiatives that also support clinician wellness. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas-Southwestern at Dallas. Dr. Fletcher proudly serves as the current chair of the Novant Health Center for Public Policy Solutions.
Betsy Brais, PA-C
Betsy is a physician assistant in family medicine practicing at Novant Health Salem Family Medicine. Betsy serves currently on the Governance Committee for Novant Health, Inc., as a Board member for the Shalom Project (a local nonprofit) and volunteers at the medical clinic for Shalom. Betsy has served as the Lead Clinician for her 13-provider practice and has worked with the compensation redesign team for APP’s compensation. Betsy earned her medical degree from Wake Forest PA program and a master’s degree in healthcare law and policy from Wake Forest Law School.
Joe Maki, PharmD, MS
Joe serves as vice president of pharmacy for Novant Health, where he leads outpatient and pharmacy business services for the pharmacy enterprise. Joe has been deeply engaged in advocacy efforts at Novant Health with a focus on pharmacy practice, billing, and 340B issues both locally and nationally. Joe completed his doctor of pharmacy training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and received his master of science in pharmacy administration and leadership from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.
Melissa F. Masterton, MHA
Melissa is the vice president of revenue cycle services with Novant Health, where she leads a dynamic team responsible for all aspects of acute care revenue cycle. Under her leadership, the team provides pre-visit services, financial counseling, patient access, utilization review, revenue integrity, charge master, health information management, coding and patient financial services for acute facilities and ambulatory surgery centers across the Novant Health footprint. The revenue cycle team maintains strong performance indicators while not losing focus on patient relations, team member engagement, compliance or regulatory changes. Melissa received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and earned her Master in Healthcare Administration from Pfeiffer University.
Elizabeth Outten
Elizabeth Outten serves as the leader of the Novant Health Center for Public Policy Solutions, where she drives strategy and oversees initiatives that advance clinician-informed healthcare public policy. Under her leadership, the Center partners with federal, state, and local officials - as well as community leaders - to improve access, affordability, and care delivery. With nearly 20 years of experience in advocacy, grassroots organizing, and campaign strategy, Elizabeth brings deep expertise in building coalitions and shaping impactful public policy. She joined Novant Health in 2014.
Roshni Patel, MD
A board-certified practicing family medicine physician with Novant Health, Dr. Patel currently serves as the Novant Health medical director for value-based care and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Novant Health clinically integrated network. A passionate advocate for her patients and fellow practicing clinicians, she received her medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and holds a board certification in family medicine.
Kelly Patterson
Kelly serves as the senior director of compliance with Novant Health, where she leads physician network compliance and oversees the conflict of interest and third-party risk management programs. Kelly received her undergraduate degree from Western Carolina University and her master’s degree in health administration from University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
David Tyson
David serves as the director of policy and regulatory affairs with Novant Health, where he leads regulatory analysis and advocacy efforts on state and federal policies impacting the health system, its clinicians, and its patients. David received his undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University and his master’s degree from Appalachian State University.