Hello, my name is Dr. Steven Barefoot, founder and principal of Agility Advisors. Thank you for visiting our website. Our goal is to become your trusted consulting partner, specializing in Medicaid dental benefits. As a licensed dentist with over nine years of experience in dental benefits management, I have developed value-based payment programs and integrated advanced analytics to enhance access to care. At Agility Advisors, our expertise spans technical innovations and deep healthcare knowledge, aimed at overcoming the challenges of managing dental benefits.

We are here to assist with designing VBP and incentive programs, facilitating RFP creation, responding to RFPs, and reviewing RFP responses. Additionally, we can transform your claims data into actionable intelligence to find solutions that increase access to care. Our success is rooted not only in years of experience in dentistry but also in a strong research and analytical background across various fields. This diverse expertise fosters innovative solutions by blending concepts from multiple disciplines to create a broad domain of knowledge.

Our Expertise

• Licensed Dentist and Benefits Manager: Expertise in dental practice and Medicaid benefits management, enhancing care delivery and operational efficiency.

• Advanced Analytics: Utilization of sophisticated analytical techniques, such as cluster analysis and Monte Carlo simulations, to decode complex patient and provider trends in Medicaid.

• AI Integration: Seasoned developer of AI applications in RFP processes, enhancing decision-making and operational effectiveness.

• Technology Leadership: Former US National Solution Director for an international IT consulting firm, focusing on enterprise collaboration solutions.

• Educational Leadership: Founder of an internationally recognized authorized education center for IBM-Lotus Notes, providing top-tier training and consultancy.

• College Instructor: Teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in Health Care Performance Innovation and Clinical Systems Management.

• Research and Development: Background as a Cardiovascular Research Fellow with publications on reactive oxygen species and their systemic impacts, bridging clinical research with practical healthcare applications.

• Corporate Strategy: Experience as Vice President of Science and Technology in an environmental consulting firm, focusing on innovative solutions and environmental forensics.

Who is Dr. Barefoot?

Dr. Barefoot’s most recent work experience was at DentaQuest, a Sun Life company and one of the largest dental benefits administrators for Medicaid. He began his career as the dental director for Indiana, which later expanded to include managing provider partnerships. In 2019, he became part of the team that developed the first value-based care (VBP) programs at DentaQuest. These programs remain the most comprehensive in the industry, adhering to the guiding principles of medical VBP. He served as the subject matter expert (SME) for VBP in RFP responses, with his final role being Associate Director in the Network Strategic Solutions group. He is also adept at using AI to evaluate RFPs and RFP responses.

Dr. Barefoot is a licensed dentist who has practiced in public clinics, mobile clinics, and as the owner of a private practice in Indianapolis. He has also provided care to patients in remote areas of Honduras. What makes Dr. Barefoot uniquely qualified to provide advisory services to the dental industry is his wide range of expertise beyond dentistry. The combination of business, technical, analytical, and consulting experience means that his advisory services go beyond the clinical, offering perspectives and recommendations that are evidence-based, holistic, and effective.

Highlights of broad expertise

Listed below are areas outside of dentistry where Dr. Barfoot has expertise. The combination of domain knowledge in these areas allows him to bring a unique perspective to advising clients.

• Currently an instructor at Chaplain College and teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in health care administration. Classes he teaches include Clinical Systems Management, Health Care Performance Innovation, and Health Care Project Management and Innovation.

• Performed basic medical research that began with studying the metabolic burst of white blood cells that then transitioned to studying the effects of the metabolic burst in septic and hemorrhagic shock. Various compounds were evaluated for potential use as interventions in shock patents.

• Participated in phase three clinical trials focusing on hypertension.

• Founded a software company that was an early developer of systems to manage clinical trials.

• Certified as an advanced system administrator and and advanced application developer of an IBM technology - Lotus Domino.

• Consulted for Fortune 100 companies developing collaborative systems and helping design enterprise messaging systems running on a variety of operating systems.

• Was a certified instructor in Lotus Domino teaching classes at locations throughout the United States consistently recognized as one of the top ten instructors in the United States and was also recognized and one year was recognized as the top instructor globally. He has logged over 10,000 hours of face-to-face technical training.

• Founder of an IBM-Lotus authorized education in Indianapolis teaching advanced level classes in system administration and application development to students from across the United states and Europe.

• CIO and chief scientist at an environmental firm in Florida where he was responsible for environmental forensic investigations that used hydrocarbon fingerprinting to identify the source of groundwater contamination from gasoline.

• On the editorial board of the Journal of Environmental Forensics.

• Was the primary product analyst at a company that provided backend systems for messaging, OTA services and RCS. This involved a number of analytical methods such as Monte Carlo analyses to determine probability of product adoption in new markets for new products and building various forecast models for those products. In addition, he was responsible for managing responses to RFPs.

Publications

1. Barefoot, S., & Linson, M. (2024). Value-based care and the sustainable dental practice. The Journal of the American Dental Association, 155(9), 731-732.

2. Barefoot, S., & Linson, M. (2023). Performance measures in oral health.

3. Fiehn, R., Okunev, I., Bayham, M., Barefoot, S., & Tranby, E. P. (2020). Emergency and urgent dental visits among Medicaid enrollees from 2013 to 2017. BMC Oral Health, 20, 1-7.

4. Barefoot, S. (2019). A prescription to improve the health of Hoosiers: A second medical school in Indiana. LinkedIn. Accessed online.

5. Barefoot, S. (2017). Weak ties are the foundation of an adaptive organization. LinkedIn. Accessed online.

6. Barefoot, S. (2016). The telecoms evolution: how the operator becomes the digital telco. Digitalisation World. Accessed online.

7. Barefoot, S. (2016). Understanding REAL customer expectations could change everything for MNOs. Telecoms. Accessed online.

8. Barefoot, S. (2016). NFV as an enabler of new revenue streams for mobile operators. Vanilla Plus. Accessed online.

9. Barefoot, S. (2016). Are the towers ready to fall? South African Wireless Communications. Accessed online.

10. Barefoot, S. (2014). Has RCS "Crossed the Chasm?" Interop Technologies - Analyst Corner. Accessed online.

11. (1989). Small business and personal computers: Making sense of data management options. Indianapolis Business Journal, 10(27), 9-15.

12. Kleinhans, F. W., & Barefoot, S. T. (1987). Spin trap determination of free radical burst kinetics in stimulated neutrophils. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 262(26), 12452-12457.

13. Barefoot, S. T., Demeter, R. J., & Toth, P. D. (1987). Cardiac-output measurements determined by thermodilution and a nasogastric impedance catheter in the dog. Clinical Research, 35(3), A261-A261.

14. Hunt, D. A., & Barefoot, S. T. (1987). Effect of various platelet-activating-factor (PAF) antagonists on neutrophil degranulation. Clinical Research, 35(3), A478-A478.

15. Demeter, R. J., Ward, D., Blevins, W., Barefoot, S. T., Hawk, C. T., et al. (1987). Cardiac-output measurements determined by thermodilution and a nasogastric impedance catheter in the pony. Federation Proceedings, 46(3), 356-356.

16. Barefoot, S. T., Demeter, R. J. (1987). Nasogastric impedance catheter measurement of cardiac output in the dog. Proceedings of the seventh international conference on electrical bioimpedance.

17. Bhagwandin, B. D., Kleinhans, F. W., & Barefoot, S. T. (1986). Kinetics of hydroxyl radical (OH.) production from stimulated neutrophils. Federation Proceedings, 45(3), 308-308.

18. Barefoot, S. T. (1986). CV3988, a platelet-activating-factor (PAF) analog, selectively inhibits neutrophil aggregation. Federation Proceedings, 45(3), 308-308.

19. Salaris, S. C., & Barefoot, S. T. (1986). An improved method for measuring lysozyme. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science, 95.

20. Hill, M., Kleinhans, F. W., & Barefoot, S. T. (1986). Determination of OH• production by stimulated neutrophils using ESR spectroscopy. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science, 95.

21. Bhagwandin, B. F. W., & Barefoot, S. T. (1986). Lag time of OH• radical production by zymosan stimulated neutrophils. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science, 95.

22. Toth, P. D., Barefoot, S. T., DiMicco, J. A., & Judy, W. V. (1985). The effects of different mediator antagonists on hemorrhagic-shock in the pithed rat. Federation Proceedings, 44(5), 1574-1574.

23. Kleinhans, F. W., & Barefoot, S. T. (1985). Kinetics of the neutrophil metabolic burst via electron-spin-resonance. Biophysical Journal, 47(2), A405-A405.

24. Barefoot, S. T., Kleinhans, F. W., & Toth, P. D. (1985). Platelet activating factor (PAF) activation of neutrophils is selectively blocked by a PAF analog. Federation Proceedings, 44(4), 1041-1041.

25. Berkow, R. L., Weisman, S. J., Tzeng, D., Haak, R. A., Kleinhans, F. W., Barefoot, S., ... (1984). Comparative responses of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes obtained by counterflow centrifugal elutriation and Ficoll-Hypaque density centrifugation: II. Membrane potential. The Journal of laboratory and clinical medicine, 104(5), 698-710.

26. Barefoot, S. T., & Kleinhans, F. W. (1984). Inhibition of neutrophil aggregation by non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents. Proceedings Indiana Academy of Science.

27. Toth, P. D., Hamburger, S. A., Barefoot, S. T., & Judy, W. V. (1984). The effects of thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) on hemorrhagic-shock in dogs. Federation Proceedings, 43(4), 1027-1027.

28. Barefoot, S. T., Toth, P. D., Kleinhans, F. W., & Hamburger, S. A. (1984). Hydroxyl radical production by neutrophils-effect of endotoxic-shock. Circulatory Shock, 13(1), 56-57.

29. Barefoot, S. T., & Kleinhans, F. W. (1984). Phorbol-myristate acetate reduces calcium requirements for neutrophil stimulation. Federation Proceedings, 43(4), 818-818.

30. Kleinhans, F. W., Barefoot, S. T., & Hawley, D. A. (1984). Localization of hydroxyl radical production in stimulated PMN using EPR. Biophysical Journal (Abstract), 45, 242a.

31. Hawley, D. A., Kleinhans, F. W., & Biesecker, J. L. (1983). Determination of alternate pathway complement kinetics by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. American Journal of Clinical Pathology, 79(6), 673-677.

32. Toth, P. D., Hamburger, S. A., Barefoot, S. T., & Judy, J. W. (1983). The effects of different vasoactive mediator antagonists on hemorrhagic shock in dogs. Physiologist, 26(4), A-75.

33. Barefoot, S. T., & Kleinhans, F. W. (1982). EPR assay of the metabolic burst of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Bulletin of the American Physical Society, 18(6), 904.