Dear Friends, Partners, and Colleagues,
As the year winds down and we take a moment for reflection and rest, I want to extend my warmest holiday wishes to you and your families. 2025 has been a momentous year of both transition and profound mission acceleration for Intrepid Ascent. The year began with a significant milestone for me personally, as I stepped into the role of CEO in January (read the announcement here), taking the baton from our founder, Mark Elson. It was a privilege to formally begin this new chapter, dedicated to the vision that has always guided us: transforming communities by connecting partners.
Despite the operational and budgetary headwinds faced by our industry this year, our commitment to our mission was unwavering, marking 2025 as a year defined by resilience and focused impact.
Our Year of Impact
This year, our team of dedicated staff have been instrumental in deepening our commitment to client success. We focused on scaling our impact through:
- Portfolio Growth and Targeted Service Expansion: In 2025, we served over 58 clients and successfully executed more than 74 projects. We continue to meet client growing demand in 2026 by scaling two critical service lines in privacy compliance and security and risk assessments, and financial sustainability planning.
- Ecosystem Development: We continue to lead major projects in the development of robust data exchange ecosystems, ensuring that vital information flows seamlessly to those who need it most to support integrated care.
- Medicaid Transformation: Our work in Medicaid Transformation, particularly through initiatives like CalAIM, has never been more critical. This is work that we know has a direct, multigenerational impact on the lives of families and communities.
Personal Connection to Our Mission
A highlight of the year for me was having the opportunity to share my personal connection to the essential nature of the Medicaid program. Amidst budget discussions and policy changes, we reaffirmed that our work is not just about systems and data; it’s about the patients, caregivers, and families whose well-being depends on access to care. If you missed it, you can read my full piece, “Medicaid Helps Families — Like Mine — Live the Promise of ‘Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness’,” in MedCity News here. This deep personal conviction is what fuels every project we undertake.
Looking Forward to a Transformative 2026
As we head into 2026, driven by federal policy and funding that demand more advanced data integration, outcomes measurement, and innovative access solutions, we are dedicating our expertise to helping partners succeed in this new landscape, focusing on:
- Bridging State & Federal Data Exchange (DxF & TEFCA): As the interoperability landscape matures, 2026 will be defined by the convergence of state mandates (like California Data Exchange Framework) and federal infrastructure (TEFCA). We’ll also see the introduction of new models incentivizing or mandating electronic data exchange as a critical component of certification. At Intrepid, we are helping organizations move beyond compliance, leveraging these “networks of networks” to ensure data follows the patient seamlessly across state lines and local ecosystems.
- Infrastructure Modernization for Value-Based Care (VBC): As federal models push for a fully digital learning health system, the ability to transition to electronic data exchange is no longer optional. We guide partners through the technical complexities associated with data exchange (FHIR and other data standards). As technology shifts, new tools to modernize data architecture to standardize the “pipes” needed to seamlessly connect clinical providers across the health and larger community of care ecosystem, ensuring real-time data is shared for essential quality measurement and coordinated interventions. Crucially, we also build the infrastructure required to fully integrate social service data with care teams, acknowledging that true VBC cannot be achieved without addressing both clinical and social needs.
- Behavioral Health Integration (BHI): The demand for integrated behavioral and physical health is accelerating, driven by new state payment models. For rural health transformation, this integration is critical for solving access and workforce shortages. Intrepid works directly with CBOs in designing and implementing the necessary governance, technology, and data exchange mechanisms to enable successful, scalable BHI programs.
Cheers to 2025 – A year of resilience, growth, and tireless advocacy! As we move forward, we are excited to further strengthen our partnerships and commitment to creating lasting, positive changes in community health by helping you navigate these transformative new models.
Thank you for being an essential part of Intrepid Ascent’s journey. We wish you a peaceful and joyful holiday season and a healthy, intrepid, 2026.
With deep gratitude,
Danie Carter, CEO, Intrepid Ascent
Your consulting partner for community health transformation