Professional Role and Experience
Dr. David Krol, MD, MPH, FAAP, serves as the Medical Director of Connecticut Children’s Care Network, a leadership role he has sustained while bringing over 20 years of experience in clinical practice, policy, research, education, administration, and advocacy. His expertise is deeply rooted in pediatric healthcare, with a strong focus on improving child health outcomes through innovative care models and value-based programs. Connecticut Children’s Care Network operates multiple value-based care contracts with commercial payers and the state of Connecticut, emphasizing data quality and population health management—areas where Dr. Krol plays a pivotal leadership role.
Key Responsibilities
- Overseeing the strategic and operational aspects of the Care Network focused on pediatric healthcare delivery across Connecticut.
- Leading initiatives to strengthen value-based care contracts, improve quality metrics, and enhance health outcomes, particularly for Medicaid-dependent populations (notably serving a 56.1% Medicaid patient base, which significantly impacts the organization’s financial and care delivery models).
- Directing the Educating Practices program, which advances clinical education and the implementation of best practices across affiliated pediatric providers.
- Organizing and serving as Medical Director for the annual Connecticut Children’s Diabetes Education Day for school nurses and primary care providers.
- Testifying before state legislative bodies on healthcare policy matters, demonstrating his active involvement in advocacy and regulatory affairs to shape pediatric care in Connecticut.
Academic and Research Contributions
Dr. Krol holds an MD and MPH, with academic affiliations including Columbia University (educated 2002-2004). He has contributed extensively to the literature relating to pediatric oral health, preventive care, health equity, and population health management. His scholarly output encompasses numerous peer-reviewed articles and publications focused on:
- The Protecting All Children’s Teeth (PACT) program, which educates pediatricians about the importance of oral health in children and how to assess, prevent, and manage dental diseases.
- Evidence-based clinical recommendations on fluoride intake and dietary fluoride supplements for caries prevention, published under the auspices of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics.
- The impact of oral health on overall pediatric health and development, especially within underserved and indigenous populations.
- Leadership in national programs addressing nursing workforce diversity and capacity building (e.g., the New Careers in Nursing program supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation).
Awards and Distinctions
Dr. Krol has received numerous honors reflecting his contributions to pediatric oral health and child health advocacy:
- Oral Health Service Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Oral Health (2019), recognizing significant career contributions advancing pediatric oral health.
- Volunteer Faculty Award from the Department of Pediatrics at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (2016).
- Champion for Children Award from the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (2015).
These awards underscore his influence in both clinical and educational domains at regional and national levels.
Leadership and Advocacy
- Dr. Krol is an active fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics since 2001, contributing to pediatric practice guidelines and policy development.
- He has testified on multiple occasions to legislative committees in Connecticut, providing expertise on Medicaid’s impacts and pediatric healthcare delivery challenges, reflecting his recognized leadership in healthcare policy advocacy.
- His leadership extends to quality improvement and patient safety through involvement in fellowship programs such as the Popik Family Quality and Patient Safety Fellowship at Connecticut Children’s.
Organizational Impact and Current Initiatives
Under Dr. Krol’s leadership, Connecticut Children’s Care Network has:
- Partnered with technology companies like Innovaccer to deploy AI-driven Population Health Analytics and Quality Reporting tools, aiming to enhance care delivery efficiency and outcome measurement.
- Maintained a focus on serving vulnerable pediatric populations, with strategic emphasis on Medicaid enrollees whose healthcare needs significantly affect organizational financial health and care models.
He regularly communicates on public platforms about ongoing program development and healthcare challenges facing children, reflecting a proactive public engagement style.
Summary of Actionable Profile Insights
- Position: Medical Director, Connecticut Children’s Care Network
- Expertise: Pediatric healthcare leadership, population health management, oral health advocacy, Medicaid-focused health services, clinical education
- Key Initiatives: Value-based care contracts, Educating Practices program, pediatric oral health programs (PACT), partnerships with health IT solutions
- Recognition: Multiple prestigious awards for pediatric oral health and child advocacy
- Influence: Active testimony in state legislative contexts, leadership roles in national pediatric and oral health organizations
- Professional Network: Robust connections across healthcare providers, policy makers, and academic institutions with 768+ LinkedIn followers
Dr. Krol’s profile identifies him as a collaborative pediatric leader and a change agent with enduring influence in clinical, educational, and policy spheres related to child health—particularly for vulnerable populations under Medicaid coverage.
