Dr. Nathan Chomilo, a respected Twin Cities pediatrician and internist, has been named the state's new Medicaid medical director by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).
It is the latest hire by Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead, who took the helm at DHS in September, as she fills out her leadership team at an agency racked by turmoil earlier this year.
Chomilo, who practices in the Park Nicollet health system, is one of the founders of Minnesota Doctors for Health Equity and was a highly visible advocate in the community and at the 2019 Legislature for improved health care for disadvantaged populations.
"I see a lot of promise in Medicaid to address some of the deep racial inequities we see in Minnesota," Chomilo said in an interview. "In place of advocacy work, I will be working on the inside to make change happen."
The Medicaid medical director reviews clinical evidence to guide decisions about coverage policies, quality of care programs and other health initiatives. In Minnesota, Medicaid is the insurance program for 1.1 million residents.
Chomilo replaces Dr. Jeffrey Schiff, who lost his job earlier this year in a restructuring that split his full-time position into two separate jobs. Chomilo will work part time as medical director, joined by a part-time director for behavioral health care who has not yet been hired.
Chomilo said he wants to continue the "great work" of his predecessor, including Schiff's leadership in a coordinated effort to change opioid prescribing practices in the state.
Dr. Chris Johnson, an Allina Health physician who chairs the department's opioid work group, also was part of a group that advised DHS on the position's candidates.