Dr. Nora Connor is a data scientist at Abt Global, where she uses generative AI, cloud-based solutions, and automated workflows to improve data-driven decision-making for federal clients. Her clients include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). As the business owner for Abt’s AI strategy, Connor leads the Data Science team developing MLOps, automated real-time data streaming, Infrastructure as Code, and responsible AI solutions. She works directly with vendors and market partners to identify use cases to bring the best AI technologies to the public sector.
Connor is currently the Technical Lead for Abt's work with the Medicaid Managed Care Group, for whom Abt is creating automated tools for monitoring and oversight. These tools will replace manual workflows and ensure beneficiaries’ access to care and enrollment in 57 U.S. states and territories. In addition, she oversees Abt’s piloting of generative AI solutions to evaluate Medicaid program compliance with hundreds of regulations and requirements. She leads machine learning and automation projects with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Medicare’s Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, and the Social Security Administration.
Connor has also led simulation-based research to determine the relationship between staffing levels and quality of care in nursing homes in response to nursing shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. This work was initiated through President Biden’s 2022 State of the Union address, in which he promised a minimum staffing regulation would ensure high-quality care for all patients in long-term care facilities. When the proposed minimum staffing rule received 46,000 comments, Connor led a team that selected the best generative AI tool to tag and summarize major themes in the public comments and generated a final report within three weeks.
Before Abt, Connor worked in a health technology start-up that used claims data to analyze value-based payment programs. She worked directly with physician practices across the country that participated in value-based care models implemented by the CMS Innovation Center. She has used her expertise in value-based care in oncology to conduct analyses and provide technical assistance for the pharmaceutical industry, non-profit organizations, and leading academic medical centers. She has eight years of experience providing management consulting and professional technology services to multinational technology firms, pharmaceutical companies, international political parties, medical practices, and government clients.
Expertise
- Generative AI
- Workflow automation
- Parallel computing and big data
- Value-Based Care
Key Projects
- Nursing Home Staffing Simulation Study & Public Rulemaking
- Medicaid Managed Care Automation & Tool Development
- CDC WISQARS evaluation report
Publications
Education
- Ph.D., Computer Science, University of Colorado Boulder
- M.A., Biology, Wesleyan University
- B.A., Biology, Wesleyan University