Alumni Spotlight: Wendy Talbot, MPH ’01
MEZCOPH alumna Wendy Talbot, MPH ’01, credits the knowledge she gained in data analysis and population health while earning her MPH with her current success using data analytics for quality improvement, population health, and patient outcomes as the Vice President of Measure and Data Operations at the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
For Wendy Talbot, a 2001 graduate of the Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona, the intersection of data and human health has always fueled her passion to improve healthcare. Today, she channels that passion into her role as the Vice President of Measure and Data Operations at the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
"I’ve always been interested in how data and policy can work together to improve people’s lives," Wendy reflects. "Public health gave me a way to turn that interest into a career with purpose. My time at Arizona truly helped shape my passion for improving health care quality and using data to drive better outcomes."
From Tucson to national impact, turning data into purpose
The rigorous education Wendy received at the Zuckerman College of Public Health provided her with a powerful toolkit that has guided her entire professional journey. With a strong foundation in epidemiology, data analysis, and population health, she transitioned seamlessly from the classroom to the field.
Her career path showcases a steady trajectory of increasing impact. After graduation, Wendy served as an epidemiologist with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), supporting vital chronic disease programs. She later transitioned to the private sector, expanding her expertise with a focus on the Medicaid space. Today at National Committee for Quality Assurance, Wendy supports the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®), one of the most widely used performance measure sets in the U.S. managed care industry.
Leading innovation at NCQA
Throughout her career, Wendy has been at the forefront of modernizing how health care quality is measured and delivered. At NCQA, she spearheaded several critical, large-scale initiatives and played a central role in building and scaling NCQA’s Data Aggregator Validation (DAV) program. This initiative established a core mechanism for validating electronic clinical data, paving the way for the industry's transition to digital quality measurement. She successfully established Measure & Data Operations (MDO) as a unified, accountable operating unit. By bringing together formerly siloed teams, Wendy enabled the end-to-end delivery of HEDIS® and related data products at an unprecedented scale.
What Public Health means to her
When asked what public health means to her, Wendy points to its ability to create lasting, system-wide improvements.
"To me, public health means improving the health and well-being of communities by creating systems, programs, and measures that lead to better outcomes for everyone. It’s about using data, collaboration, and innovation to make health care more effective, accessible, and equitable at both the local and national levels."
Giving back and moving forward
Wendy’s commitment to health and community extends beyond her demanding professional life. She also dedicates her time as a volunteer with Phoenix Children's Hospital, proving that her passion for public health is woven into everything she does.
Looking back at her vibrant trajectory from a Wildcat student to a national healthcare executive, Wendy offers valuable advice for current students and recent graduates navigating the transition into the workforce. “Stay open to opportunities and never underestimate the value of building strong relationships and continuously learning,” she advises. “Public health offers many different career paths, and some of the most rewarding opportunities may come from experiences you didn’t originally expect. Stay curious, be adaptable, and remember that the work you do can have a meaningful impact on entire communities.”
More than two decades after graduating from the College of Public Health, Wendy continues to exemplify the power of public health leadership, using data-driven solutions to improve care and create healthier communities nationwide.