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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | SEPTEMBER 5, 2021
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Mercy Care chief vows to help the vulnerable BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ Progress Contributor
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fter graduating from Eastern Illinois University in 1999, Deborah Hillman Toll moved to the Valley to begin what would become a legacy of leadership and giving back. Initially, the northern Scottsdale worked with executives to build and execute human resources strategies. A signi�icant project with a local chief executive of�icer early in her career proved to be a pivotal moment on Toll’s professional path. “Serving as a trusted con�idant during the project and working hard to achieve the strategic objectives led to being asked to move from human resources into a business role in the company, ultimately aligning my profession with my passion for serving my community,” said Toll, who continued that path for 15 years. Today, as chief administrative of�icer at Mercy Care, Toll leads a team of individuals supporting its community reinvestment activities, community relations, strategic planning, marketing communications and the project management of�ice. “I am passionate about improving the health and wellness of the most vulnerable people in our community,” Toll said. “At Mercy Care, which provides access to physical and behavioral health care services for Medicaid-eligible families, children, seniors and individuals with developmental disabilities, I am able to do just that.” Among those Toll and Mercy Care serves
Deborah Hillman Toll is a dedicated community leader. (Courtesy of Mercy Care)
are members who are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid (AHCCCS). “We do this through our dual-eligible special needs plan called Mercy Care Advantage,” Toll said. She also serves as plan administrator for its contract with the Division of Developmental Disabilities serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Within the community, notably she is a member of Dignity Health’s Community Bene�it and Health Equity Committee and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council
(GPEC) Health Innovation Committee. A married mother of two, Toll joined the Arizona March of Dimes executive board in 2017 and became board chair in January. March of Dimes is a leader in the �ight for the health of all moms and their babies. “I joined the board to help improve maternal and child health outcomes in Arizona and to support women through pregnancy, especially when there are complications and loss,” Toll said. “I am honored to work alongside moms, families, advocates and Arizona business leaders to support the health of moms and babies.” This year, Toll is eager to begin work on a collaboration with the March of Dimes, funded by a $35,000 grant from Mercy Care, focused on supportive pregnancy care, an evidence-based group prenatal care model that brings pregnant individuals together for prenatal care with their obstetric providers. “The program addresses medical factors and social drivers of health in a �lexible and culturally relevant manner,” Toll said. “During group sessions, participants take and record their own vital signs, receive a private physical assessment from their provider, support each other and gain knowledge and skills related to pregnancy, birth, postpartum and infant care.” March of Dimes Arizona will host Heroes in Action (formerly March of Dimes Arizona Nurse of the Year Awards) on Sept. 14 at Chateau Luxe. On Nov. 14, March of Dimes and Talking Stick Resort will host “Signature Chefs,” a fundraising
event that will feature culinary creations from Arizona chefs. On top of this partnership and volunteer work, Mercy Care has an impressive community reinvestment program and supports more than 125 community events each year, providing thousands of employee volunteer hours across Arizona as well, including many from Toll. “I am also proud of the work our team at Mercy Care is doing to support addiction recovery, housing, school-based services, food insecurity and pandemic support,” Toll said. Its community reinvestments over the last three years are close to $6 million. “Mercy Care brings an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the members and families we serve by partnering with community organizations that address social determinants of health,” she said. Mercy Care’s Community Reinvestment program funds organizations that improve the health and well-being of children, individuals and families, enabling them to live independently, permanently and safely in their communities. “Our support also includes both �inancial investments and grants for organizations including Save the Family, Teen Lifeline, Valle del Sol, Activate Food Arizona, Arizona Home Matters, Barrow Neurological Institute, Area Agency on Aging, ACCEL, Hushabye Nursery, Central Arizona Shelter Services, Pinnacle Prevention and Sonoran Prevention Works,” Toll said. Toll and Mercy Care are also huge supporters of Special Olympics Arizona.
Know anything interesting going on in Scottsdale? Send your news to agallagher@timespublications.com
