Sharon Silow-Carroll, MBA, MSW, has nearly twenty years of experience in health care research and analysis. Her areas of expertise include health system reform strategies at the local, state, and national levels; quality improvement trends and strategies by hospitals; and efforts to meet the needs of underserved populations. She is author of numerous reports and articles analyzing public and private sector initiatives aimed at enhancing access, containing costs, and improving quality of health care. Recent publications include The Commonwealth Fund’s States in Action newsletter, a report on patient-centered care for vulnerable populations, and a report on the tools and factors contributing to quality improvement at top-performing hospitals. Prior to joining HMA, Ms. Silow-Carroll was Senior Vice President at the Economic and Social Research Institute, where she directed and conducted research studies on a range of health care issues. She is a frequent speaker on state and local health reforms.