CARF Board of Directors elects Leela Baggett to the board

Leela Baggett brings extensive legal and legislative expertise, combined with her deep understanding of healthcare regulatory frameworks, which positions her as a trusted advisor.

The CARF International Board of Directors has elected Leela K. Baggett to the board as a new director. Her three-year term began on January 1, 2026. Baggett is a Principal at Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville, PC, a Washington, D.C.-based healthcare law firm, where she has practiced for more than a decade. She was elevated to Principal status two years ago in recognition of her experience and leadership within the firm.

Baggett has expertise in navigating Medicare compliance, coding and reimbursement matters, and fee-for-service appeals. She regularly advises clinical data registries that are crucial to quality improvement efforts and initiatives, care outcomes, and value-based care models. Baggett provides representation in clinician trade associations to advance the business interests of healthcare organizations and the delivery of high-quality patient care. Her deep understanding of healthcare policy positions her as a quintessential advocate for enhancing legislative and regulatory policy initiatives in today’s healthcare landscape.  

 “CARF is most fortunate to have Ms. Leela Baggett joining CARF as a board member. Her experience in providing legal counsel to organizations in the health and human services industry will provide CARF with additional governance insight for consideration in its mission and strategies to accredit quality programs directed to enhancing the lives of persons served,” said President/CEO Brian J. Boon, Ph.D.

Baggett received her Juris Doctor, with honors, from The George Washington University Law School in 2015 and is a member of the District of Columbia and Maryland Bars. She has been honored as a Super Lawyers Rising Star 2021–2025, and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (Health Care Law, Government Relations, and Native American Law) 2024–2026.

“I am honored to serve on the CARF Board of Directors. Throughout my legal career, I have recognized the essential role accreditation plays in advancing quality, transparency, and improved health outcomes. I look forward to contributing thoughtful governance, prudent oversight, and strategic guidance in support of CARF’s leadership and mission,” said Leela Baggett.

Serving in diverse health and human services fields, the 11 members of the CARF Board of Directors bring unique and valuable experience to their governance roles. The Board roster for 2026 is:

• Board Chair: Donald J. Dew, M.S.W., A.C.S.W., Chicago, Illinois
• Leela K. Baggett, J.D., Washington, D.C.
• Susanne M. Bruyère, Ph.D., C.R.C., Ithaca, New York
• Thomas J. Buckley, Ed.D., La Puente, California
• Aashif Esmail, M.D., BSc(Med), C.C.F.P., F.C.F.P., Edmonton, Alberta
• Richard Forkosh, Kirkwood, Missouri
• G. Thomas Heath, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Kayda Johnson, Naples, Florida
• Marvin Mashner, C.P.A., Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
• D. Sharon Osborne, Seattle, Washington
• Herb Zaretsky, Ph.D., New York, New York

“We are delighted to welcome Leela Baggett to the CARF Board of Directors. Her extensive expertise in healthcare law and regulatory compliance will be invaluable as we continue advancing our mission to promote quality standards and enhance services for those we serve,” said recently reelected CARF Board Chair Donald J. Dew.