Elena Nicolella

As Associate Director of the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, Elena Nicolella oversees the state’s Medicaid program. She joined the state in September 2009. Previously she worked as a consultant to the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (then called Department of Mental Health, Retardation, and Hospitals) from 2006-2009. 

Ms. Nicolella worked for the federal government for 15 years, first with the Food and Nutrition Services agency within the US Department of Agriculture from 1991-1997 and then the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from 1997-2006.

She received her master’s in public health from Boston University.

Practicum Summary

Create active cross-system collaboration among Medicaid, the state mental health and substance abuse agency and the Department of Corrections to use patient centered medical homes to support members re-entering the community from the Department of Corrections.