Our Editor

Richard G. Stefanacci, D.O., M.G.H., M.B.A., A.G.S.F., C.M.D.
Founding Executive Director
Health Policy Institute
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia

As the Founding Executive Director of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia’s Health Policy Institute, Dr. Stefanacci is building upon his just completed work as a CMS Health Policy Scholar. At CMS he spent a year working on the policy and implementation of the Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefit especially regarding access issues for frail elders. His position at CMS was provided as an exchange through the Department of Health Policy at Thomas Jefferson University where he served as a visiting scholar. At Jefferson he was involved in research and educational projects that dealt principally with geriatric quality and utilization issues.

Dr. Stefanacci has been involved in LTC facilities since childhood and remains active in the LTC facilities today. Having served as Medical Director for several nursing facilities as well as continuing care retirement communities he is well versed in the needs of these facilities’ residents. He completed his clinical training at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in geriatrics. Dr. Stefanacci's geriatric experience includes over a decade as a medical director in several roles including a large primary care private practice, a full risk provider group, a Medicare + Choice HMO (M+C) and currently a PACE (Program for All-inclusive Care) program in Philadelphia. As medical director for the St. Agnes LIFE program, Dr. Stefanacci is involved not only in direct patient care but in the implementation of quality assurance and utilization management initiatives for the frail elderly.

He holds two masters degrees in Geriatric Health as well as Business Administration. He is board certified in Quality Assurance and Utilization as well as being a Certified Medical Director (CMD). Dr. Stefanacci serves on the board of trustees at his alumna A.T. Still University and the National PACE Association as well as participates actively in the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA), American Society of Consultant Pharmacist (ASCP), and the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). Recently he achieved recognition as a fellow in the American Geriatrics Society (AGSF). Also in addition to writing and lecturing extensively, he serves as editor-in-chief of the Assisted Living Consult as well as serving on the editorial boards of Caring for the Ages, Jefferson’s Health Policy newsletter, and The Journal of Quality Healthcare.

Based on his experience and the expertise within the University of the Sciences as the oldest College of Pharmacy, the Health Policy Institute will begin its focus on pharmaceutical related issues especially regarding Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) matters. This will be accomplished through implementing systems based on an understanding of the relevant policy as well as affecting policy through supportive services to public policy leaders and strategic research activities.