Carol Backstrom
About Carol Backstrom
Carol Backstrom serves as the Assistant Commissioner of the Health Systems Bureau at the Minnesota Department of Health, where she focuses on healthcare delivery and payment reform policy. With extensive experience in health policy initiatives and stakeholder management, she has held various leadership roles in organizations such as the National Governors Association and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Current Role at Minnesota Department of Health
Carol Backstrom serves as the Assistant Commissioner for the Health Systems Bureau at the Minnesota Department of Health. She has held this position since 2023. In this role, she focuses on healthcare delivery and payment reform policy, utilizing her extensive experience in health policy initiatives. Her service-leader approach emphasizes collaboration and effective management within the healthcare system.
Previous Experience in Health Policy and Management
Prior to her current role, Backstrom held various significant positions in health policy and management. She worked at the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices as Program Director for Medicaid and Health Care System Transformation from 2013 to 2015. Additionally, she served as the State Medicaid Director at the Minnesota Department of Human Services from 2012 to 2013 and as Director of Intergovernmental and External Affairs at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from 2015 to 2016.
Educational Background in Healthcare Administration
Carol Backstrom holds a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) from the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management, where she studied from 2003 to 2006. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Lawrence University, completing her studies from 1990 to 1992. Her educational background supports her expertise in translating complex healthcare concepts into understandable terms.
Skills in Healthcare Delivery and Policy Implementation
Backstrom possesses exceptional skills in influence management, effectively building relationships with various stakeholders, including co-workers, physicians, and legislative leaders. She has a proven track record of implementing policy changes across diverse settings, including federal, state, and healthcare environments. Her ability to tailor information to different audiences enhances her effectiveness in health policy initiatives.
Career Progression and Leadership Roles
Throughout her career, Carol Backstrom has progressed through various leadership roles in health organizations. She worked at HealthPartners in multiple capacities, including Senior Manager of Care Innovation and Manager of Government Relations & Community Health Initiatives. She also served as Principal and Vice President at Aurrera Health Group from 2016 to 2023, further solidifying her leadership in health systems management.