NAHDO Rising Stars

Starting in 2021, NAHDO presents the Rising Star Award to recognize emerging mid-level talent at a public or private health data organization that is contributing to NAHDO's mission.

2024 Recipients - Ertug Misirli and Jillian Rider

Ertug Misirli - Ertug Misirli is a seasoned professional specializing in health care payments data analysis and research. Mr. Misirli is a crucial member of the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) in his role as a Research Data Specialist. After earning a bachelor’s degree in public administration in Turkey, where he developed a keen interest in data analytics, he was awarded a master’s degree in economics from California State University in Sacramento. Throughout his career, Mr. Misirli has leveraged his expertise in health care payments data to focus on data collection, analysis, and interpretation to improve the delivery and quality of healthcare for the public.

Ertug Misirli is a dedicated professional serving as a Research Data Specialist at the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), working daily with the state’s Health Care Payments Data (HPD) Program, the nation’s largest all-payer claims database. Mr. Misirli has a passion for leveraging data to enhance health care systems, analyzing and interpreting complex health care payment arrangements, data quality, and data completeness within the HPD. With a background in data analysis and a keen understanding of health care dynamics, Mr. Misirli ensures accuracy and integrity in the evaluation of health care payment processes. His genuine curiosity and collaborative spirit help engage data suppliers and fellow analysts as valued partners in the important effort to improve data quality and standardization. Most recently, his analysis of HPD data prompted payer-wide engagement to improve field-level data quality. His work provides insights that drive informed decision-making, policy formulation, and resource allocation within California's health care landscape.

Mr. Misirli’s has a proven commitment to excellence and continuous learning. With a meticulous attention to detail and strong analytical approach, he navigates intricate data sets effectively, playing a crucial role in advancing HCAI’s objectives of improving health care access, affordability, and quality for all Californians.

Jillian Rider - As the Lead Analyst for VHI, Jillian Rider, née Capucao, manages the reporting and analysis of data from the Virginia All-Payers Claim Database (APCD) and the Patient Level Database (PLD). Jillian joined the VHI team in August 2016 as an Epidemiology Analyst after graduating from Eastern Virginia Medical School with a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology. Jillian completed her Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science from Virginia Commonwealth University and held positions at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and the Virginia Department of Health prior to joining VHI. Outside of the office, Jillian loves visiting her hometown of Virginia Beach and spending time with her husband and family.

Jillian Rider epitomizes the qualities of emerging talent within the realm of health data organizations. Since joining VHI, Jillian has consistently showcased her expertise and dedication to advancing the organization's mission. As the Lead Data Analyst, Jillian's role extends beyond mere data analysis and reporting; she serves as the backbone of VHI's administrative data programs. Her multifaceted responsibilities include training partner organization analysts, mentoring junior analysts and interns, collaborating with program staff on dashboarding, providing analytic support, and representing VHI on a national scale. Jillian's depth of knowledge and leadership skills have made her an invaluable asset to the team, driving forward the organization's goals with unparalleled dedication.

Furthermore, Jillian's resilience and adaptability were truly put to the test over the past 2 years as VHI entered a period of organizational restructuring and staffing transitions. Despite facing increased responsibilities and workload, Jillian rose to the occasion with grace and unwavering commitment, single-handedly ensuring the continuity and success of multiple programs. Her ability to navigate challenges with poise and determination underscores her potential as a future leader in the field of health data management.