Former HHS Deputy Matthew Payne Joins CNA Staff

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA — Dr. Laurie May, director of the Health Care Operations and Policy Research Center at CNA (CNA), today announced that Matthew Payne has joined CNA as a senior advisor for public health.

"Matthew is a very talented, highly skilled professional whose expertise on a range of preparedness issues places him at the forefront of emergency planning efforts nationally and at the state and local levels," May said. "I’m very pleased to welcome him to our team."

Payne has more than eight years of experience in several areas of emergency planning and preparedness, all gained at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). His work for CNA will focus on health aspects of homeland security and safety, including pandemic preparedness planning and operations analysis.

"I’m looking forward to the work," Payne said. "The more our nation’s health community can apply quality research and analysis in developing and implementing their emergency response plans, the more effective they will be. That’s what I can help them do."

Before joining CNA, Payne served as deputy director for operations at the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Office of Emergency Operations and Security Programs, where he was responsible for identifying and recommending solutions to address key national and departmental policy planning and operational issues.

From 2002-2004 he was the offices’ senior health analyst and team leader for the Preparedness and Planning Team and was responsible for key domestic preparedness efforts, including the National Response Plan and National Incident Management System.

Payne began his career with HHS in 1997 as a program analyst in the Office of Public Health Science, Office of Emergency Response, a position he held until 2002. Payne received the annual National Disaster Medical System Outstanding Achievement Award from 1999-2002, and received the HHS Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service in 2003.

He holds a B.A. in Biology from Syracuse University and earned an M.P.A. from the university’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.