About HCIT
What Makes us Different
Achieving your mission is our mission.
Our team of consultants leverages its deep knowledge of the healthcare industry and extensive clinical and IT experience to help healthcare organizations gain a sustainable competitive advantage in the marketplace. We provide a tailored approach to assess, analyze, and implement best-practice change for each client that delivers bottom-line results.

Meet our President
Meredith Ferguson, MSW, LCSW - Principal Consultant
Meredith Ferguson has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for almost 20 years. As a clinician, she has worked in a variety of acute and outpatient settings: ED, Case Management (UR and Discharge Planning), Acute Rehabilitation, and Behavioral Health. In addition, she has extensive clinical experience in the area of oncology, dialysis, trauma, ED, outpatient case management, and discharge planning to all areas of the hospital.
Prior to consulting, Ferguson was a Clinical Consultant for one of the largest EMR companies in the country. She managed accounts for over 120 hospitals, including large national accounts such as Tenet, HCA and UHS. In addition, she has provided onsite assessments to case management and coding departments to over 300 acute facilities. She also identified workflow and process redesign needs in the context of automation. Ferguson has over 15 years of experience in software implementations and has worked with health systems to realize post-implementation ROI and system optimization opportunities.
Background - Former Founder of the Global Social Work Network, former Clinical Product Specialist and National Account Manager for Allscripts Care Management (now WellSky), and current CEO of HCIT Consulting. Has completed large redesign projects and IT implementation work with clients such as Optum, DaVita Kidney Care, Tenet Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente.
Expertise - On ramping organizations from FFS to VBC, Inpatient and Outpatient Case Management, Transitions of Care, High Risk, Disease and Chronic Population Management, Enterprise Level Change and Outcomes, as well as Content Development for inpatient and ambulatory care planning.
HCIT Team Biography
Summaries
HCIT
CONSULTING STAFF
Jim Alland – Strategic Market Advisor
Background: Former President of
Enterprise Systems at McKesson HBOC, Former Senior Vice President at
Allscripts, current Chief Sales Officer at OnShift, and Chief Advisor at
Healthcare Solution Market Strategies.
Expertise: Enterprise level Acute
and Long-Term Care organizations, as well as Physician providers in all
practice sizes from small, independent organizations through Enterprise level,
multi-specialty practices. Former clients include Northwell (NSLIJ), Baylor,
Scott & White, Orlando Health, and University of Kentucky as well as some
of the largest and most successful Physician Practices and ACOs in the U.S.
Tammy Harriss – Chief Marketing Officer
Background: 2O years of experience
in Healthcare IT marketing with a proven track record in developing successful
lead generating campaigns and collateral for post-acute and acute services and
solutions.
Expertise: Case Management,
Utilization Management, Referral Management Discharge Planning, Homecare,
Hospice, Population Health, Electronic Medical Records and Emergency Department
Patti Winstanley – “The Connectinator”
Background: President of
Winstanley Consultants. Called “The Connectinator”, she has helped businesses
of all sizes build relationships to grow sales channels, community partners and
navigation of procurement networks. Matches corporations to reliable vendors
that meet needs and goals.
Expertise: Business Development,
Relationship Building, Marketing, Business Processes, Brand Management,
Diversity and Inclusion, Strategic Direction; Sales, Profitability, Coaching;
Staff and Customer Growth.
CONSULTANTS
FOR CASE MANAGEMENT and UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT
Wilfred Barut, RN – Utilization Review Nurse
Background: Registered Nurse with
extensive experience in the ER and ICU, Clinical Trainer for Utilization
Management teams, Utilization Management Auditor, Inter-Rater Reliability
Support to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the application of standardized
review criteria.
Expertise: Utilization Review,
Resource Utilization
Joseph Burke, RN, MPH – Senior Consultant for Clinical Process
Improvement
Background: Former Regional
Executive Director of Clinical Quality Improvement and Case Management for
Tenet Healthcare, Nursing Administrator at Barnes-Jewish Hospital/BJC Health
System, Master Certificate Lean Six Sigma.
Expertise: ED, Readmissions
Management, LOS, Denials, Throughput, Quality, Case Management Operations and
Redesign, Project Management, Value Based Care, Compliance with Regulatory
& Operational Clinical Standards and Process Redesign/Improvement
Implementation.
Marianne DiMola – Executive Recruiter for Direct Hire Placement
Services
Background: More than twenty-five
years of experience in healthcare human resources management and career
development. Former Director at Bayada Nurses and Nursefinders. She is a
founding member of CMSA’s TriChapter New York Conferences and is the former
Executive Director of the New York City Chapter of CMSA (20 years).
Founder of Pathway
Medical Staffing, a nationally recognized leader providing case management
recruitment and retention advisory services, HEDIS staffing, and project
management. Former Senior Vice President
of National Sales and Operations for Medical Staffing Network, Care Management
and Vice President of Care Management at Cross Country.
Expertise: Healthcare Recruiting,
Human Resources, Case Management, Physician Advisory, CM Redesign, and Process
Improvement. Ms. DiMola presented “Essential Strategies” at the CMSA
National Conference and CMSA, NYC Chapter in 2O11, Long Island CMSA Conference
2O12, “The Secret Victory of Case Managers” at CMSA National in 2O13
and has authored and coauthored, “Essential Strategies to Cultivate Your
Career” for the Professional Case Management; Vol. 17/No. 5 “Next Level
Case Management Guide Book, Co-Authored “The Great Exodus Hitting Case
Management” in CMSA today March 2O22 and in 2O21 presented multiple times to
the Case Management Community.
Nancy Flint, RN, BSN, CCM – Senior Consultant for Case Management
and Interim Director
Background: Former Director of CM
of UHS Hospitals (Best Practice reference sites for CM IT and Operations).
Provides Project Management, Implementation Support, and Interim Director services.
Led Projects improving Home Care Admissions and improving Care Transitions.
Expertise: Case Management,
Interim Leadership, Discharge Planning, Utilization Review, Transitions of Care
& Denial Management.
Frances Horner – Senior Consultant for Patient Access
Background: Former Founder and
Managing Partner of Singola Consulting, former Sr. Director Patient Access, and
Epic Principal Trainer at NorthShore University Health System, and current
President of VoC Consulting Group. Has completed large digital transformation
projects and contact center implementation work with clients such as Jefferson
Health, CHOP, Rochester Regional Health, and Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Expertise: Unique knowledge,
understanding, and ability to integrate patient engagement with healthcare
operations, IT, business processes, marketing/advertising, contact centers, and
electronic medical record systems is invaluable to healthcare organizations.
Betsy Isherwood Katz, RN BSN MPS CCM – Executive Consultant for
Clinical Process Improvement
Background: Over forty years of
experience in healthcare, including public health, population health and care
coordination. Twenty-five years in leadership positions, including serving as
National Director of Population Health Utilization Effectiveness for Catholic
Health Initiatives and Interim SVP of Acute Care Coordination for Common Spirit
Health (the merged system of Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health).
Expertise: Care Coordination
Operations and Design, Readmissions and Length of Stay Management, Transitions
of Care! Complex Case Management, Appeal and Denial processes, Value Based
Care, Regulatory Compliance, Social Determinants of Health, Physician Advisory
Services, healthcare analytics and expanding use of Artificial Intelligence
systems.
Cathy Leenher, RN, MSN, CNS, CPNP – Senior Consultant for Case
Management and CDI
Background: Experienced leader in
mid-revenue cycle with 34 years of healthcare experience. Former VP at
Medassets, former Associate Director at Guidehouse (Navigant) and former
Manager at Huron.
Expertise: Revenue Cycle, Case
Management (CM) and Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) that included 16
years exceeding client’s needs, increasing revenue, consulting workflow
redesign, and working with physicians, HIM, and clinicians. Directed and
educated more than 1OO hospitals and organizations to move their programs to
industry leading practice in CDI and CM.
Marsha S. Masten, RN, BSN – Senior Consultant for Care
Coordination
Background: Nurse executive with
3O+ years of healthcare experience, specializing in payer relations (BCBS,
Humana, and Anthem, Medicare & Medicaid) to support quality, VBC,
Population Health and Disease Management in acute and post-acute settings.
Expertise: Assessment, redesign, and
implementation of operational process improvements and change management.
Healthcare innovation and Information Technology, Call Center Design, and
strategy development to decrease readmission outcomes. Building Client Service teams, Post-Discharge
Care Coordination), centralized scheduling, and patient experience and
retention.
Betsy Mazzoleni, MA, BSN, ACM-RN – Senior Consultant for Case
Management Content
Background: Former Alicare
Management Nurse Helpline Director, Change Healthcare Clinical Content
Developer for prototype Hospital in the Home project/InterQual criteria and
co-lead for Home Hospital pilot project in academic community setting. Former
Content Developer for Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s web team, Recent CDI, and Case
Management experience, serving on the ACMA MA Chapter’s Board and Co-Chair of
its Marketing and Social Media committee.
Expertise: Decision-tree
support product/content development for case management/telehealth, Hospital at
Home case management criteria, telehealth training, health content development
for Internet and social media platforms, marketing for healthcare systems.
Recent working knowledge of case management and CDI practice. Master’s in
Media Arts from Emerson College.
Donna McLean, RN, BSN, MBA – Managing Consultant for Clinical
Process Improvement
Background: 4O years of healthcare
experience in critical care nursing and case management, 2O years in Case
Management leadership and consulting including Ochsner Health System, Grady
Health System, Dignity Health, and CHI.
Expertise: Case Management
Design, Utilization Management and Denials, Strategic planning, Compliance, CM
Education and Service Quality Assurance.
Ruth McNaughton, BSN, MHM, CCM, ACM-RN – Senior Consultant for
Clinical Process Improvement
Background: Former Senior Director
of Care Management, Administrator for Hospitalist, and Mid-Level Groups, ACO
Program Development, Acute Care Case Management Consultant, Home Care Owner,
and Geriatric Case Management.
Expertise: Acute Case Management,
Utilization Review, Transitions of Care, Readmission Reduction Programs, ACO
and Community Case Management Development, Hospitalist Management and System
Integration, Sub-Acute, SNF, and Home Care Development for Quality Outcomes.
Andrea Rich MSN, RN, CEN– Consultant for Case Management
Background: Clinical Optimization
Consultant: Responsible for process improvement projects or enhanced interim
leadership positions for the healthcare transformation division. Projects
include a Level 1 trauma center in Texas, a project focusing on emergency
department throughput, patient experience scores, and new leadership mentoring;
Enhanced Interim Leadership project at a large community hospital/trauma center
in Washington State focusing on team stabilization, leadership development, and
responsible for all department operations. Successfully led team through
regulatory immediate threats.
Expertise: Acute Care, Emergency
Services, Emergency Medicine, Quality Improvement, Critical Care Nursing,
Patient Safety, Nursing Education, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS),
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Employee Engagement, Consulting,
Healthcare Management, Nursing, Emergency Nursing, Nursing Management, and
Leadership.
Kathy Seward, MD, CHCQM-PHYADV – Physician Advisor Subject Matter
Expert
Background: extensive experience
providing Physician Advisory Services in a variety of settings including
teaching hospitals, community hospitals large and small, and Women’s and
Children’s hospitals, served as both an external and internal Physician Advisor
and has worked in a consulting capacity helping health systems implement and
optimize Physician Advisor programs nationally.
Expertise: Progression of Care,
Medical Necessity, Level of Care, Resource Utilization, Physician Documentation
Requirements, Physician Practice Patterns, Denial Management with Peer to Peer,
Collaboration among Medical Staff, Case Management, Social Work.
Frances “Fran” Stelly, RN, ACM – Consultant for Case Management
Background: 4O+ years in Nursing
and former Operations Manager at Brackenridge Hospital (Austin) and Subject
Matter Expert for Allscripts Care Management (WellSky).
Expertise: Discharge Planning,
Utilization Management, Post-Acute Contracting, Case Management, Community
Outreach, Utilization Review, Readmissions and LOS Management, and Denial
Management.
CONSULTANTS
FOR VALUE BASED CARE
Mary Ariosto-Coe, MSPH, BSN, FACHE, CPPS – Senior Consultant for
Value Based Care
Background: Former Director of Project
Integration, Clinical Transformation, and Rehabilitation, former AVP of
Cardiovascular Services and Neurosciences at a 9OO bed hospital, licensed RN
with experience in neonatal and pediatrics. Domestic clinical practice at Duke,
strategic planning/executive leadership at MedStar/Washington Hospital Center
(MD/DC), population health experience at St. Peter’s Health Partners in Albany,
NY.
Expertise: Licensed RN with 1O
years clinical practice and over 3O years in health system planning,
operations, and execution of clinical programs and services across providers
and advanced payment models. ACO development, CMS MSSP risk-bearing contracts,
BPCI programs, clinical service contracts with attention to State Planning
Commission submissions, quality benchmarks, HEDIS, core measure, and other
metrics.
Nora Baratto, LCSW-R, ACM – Senior Consultant of Complex Care and
Care Transition
Background: Former Director Client
Services, Director of Complex Care and Post-Acute Services (Innovative Health
Alliance of NY), Director of Complex CM at St. Peter’s Hospital (NY), and
Former Lecturer at NY State University at Albany, School of Social Welfare.
Expertise: Advisory Services,
Education and Training, ACO Development, Post-Acute Provider Networks, Complex
Case Management Program Development, Behavioral Health, Social Work,
Utilization Management, Patient Logistics, Care Transitions, Post-Acute Operations
(Home Health, Hospice) and Palliative Care.
Sunil Joshi – Senior Consultant for Finance and Managed Care
Background: Nearly 30 years of health plan,
provider, managed care expertise in all market segments including commercial,
Medicare, Medicaid with a focus on top line growth, cost of care, business
development, network management, operations, P&L management, and Account
Management. Worked at Anthem, managed a $125MM P&L of an IPA, Senior Vice
President at a $8.5B Provider/Care Management firm focused on expansion via
Value Based Care contracts. Consulting experience with clients
ranging from health plans, specialty providers, business process
outsourcing, care management, telemedicine, substance abuse, lab, home health,
hospice, health tech, not-for-profit advocacy group.
Expertise: Top Line Growth initiatives
including Network Development, Business Development, Program Development and
Cost of Care strategies via Quality or Care Management Projects to bend the
cost curve.
Marie London, RN BSN CMAC CPHIMS – Senior Consultant for
Value Based Care
Background: Former VP of Care
Management at Healthcare Partners (Now Optum), formerly in UM/CM/DM product
design at Anthem, former Director of Nursing for a large national home health
company, current Principal Marie London Consulting. Has completed
large redesign and transformation projects and IT implementation work with
clients such as Anthem, Healthcare Partners, Agilon health, and LA Care Health
Plan.
Expertise: Registered Nurse with 14
years of hospital, clinic and ambulance experience including ICU, ED,
outpatient, and psyche. Have specialized expertise in UM/CM/PHM
platforms. Conducted multiple assessments for UM and CM operations.
Led special transformation projects on Cal AIM, Expanded Primarily
Health-Related Benefits (EPHRB), Special Supplemental Benefits for the
Chronically Ill (SSBCI) with a focus on the operationalization and IT
implementation of the SDOH benefits.
Kevin D. Moran – MBA, MSM- Senior Consultant for Managed Care
Background: Former Executive
Director of Physician Engagement at CHS, Health Management Associates, and the
Arkansas Oklahoma Healthcare Consortium. Selected by Governor of Arkansas to
lead design and implementation of the State’s Health Insurance Exchange.
Expertise: Advisory Services,
Managed Care contracting responsibilities for Medicare, Medicaid, and
Commercial Payors. Business development, marketing, change management, staff
training and development, corporate vision setting, and fiscal policy and
control.
Benjamin Ryden, MSW – Consultant, Case Management and Behavioral
Health
Background: IT focused MSW with
experience with health plans such as Coimagine Health and Liberty Healthcare
Corporation. Well versed in products and services, Ben has led teams to decide
to buy vs. build.
Expertise: Behavioral health
Program design, Contract development and management, Quality Assurance, Team
building, Process improvement Data Analytics Customer service, MMIS.
Kathy Scott, RN, MPA, PhD., FACHE – Clinical Operations Executive
Consultant
Background: A seasoned healthcare
executive, consultant, speaker, and writer and has served in the capacity of
CNO, COO, Chief Innovation Officer, and Chief Integration Officer for several
health systems.
Expertise: Expertise in designing,
implementing, and managing wide-scale change utilizing a high-reliability
systems framework. Clinical Innovation and ACO clinical integration,
operational oversight of hospitals, case management, information
technology/systems, informatics, research, quality and performance excellence,
education, post-acute and outpatient programs.
CONSULTANTS
FOR TRANSFORMATION
Mike Bonner – Strategy & Business Development Consultant
Background: Trusted Leader in
driving new revenue, growing service lines, and developing strategic alliances
and partnerships. “Deal Experience” with Physician Group Acquisitions, Joint
Venture (JVs), Service Line Optimization, System Improvements, Buyouts,
Employee Agreements, Service Agreements, and Real Estate Identification &
Lease Negotiations.
Expertise: ROI & Data
Analytics, Market & Opportunity Analysis, Operational & Capital Budget Development, Project Management, Building &
Maintaining Relationships, Strategic Planning, Team Management & Leadership
and Evaluating & Implementing Healthcare Business & Strategy.
Larry Burnett, RN, MS – Clinical Operations Executive Consultant
Background: Larry has several
decades of experience as a leader in healthcare consulting. He has worked with
clients to improve clinical operational effectiveness and has supported clients
in clinical care delivery to improve quality and financial margins.
Expertise: Coordination of care,
change management, clinical redesign, care models, care variation, resource
utilization, collaborative care, margin optimization, and clinical operational
effectiveness.
Linus Diedling, B.S.B.A –Executive Consultant for Transformation
Services
Background: Accomplished senior
executive with over 35 years of international leadership experience in
healthcare operations management, performance improvement and information
technology services. Former Principal Consultant at Schumacher Clinical
Practice.
Expertise: Change Management,
Executive Level Performance Improvement Consulting, Complex Program Management,
Strategic Planning & Market Assessments, and Information Technology Enabled
Business Process Innovation across the continuum of care.
Kathy Jermain, RN, BSHM, ACM-RN – Clinical Operations Executive
Consultant
Background: Kathy is a healthcare
consultant with over 3O years of industry and advisory experience in
healthcare. Kathy is an accomplished case management and care coordination
leader and has led Case Management Transformations in both academic hospitals,
community health systems, and payer settings.
Expertise: Case management
transformations, transition of care, coordination of care, patient throughput,
quality, performance improvement, medical necessity, denials management,
staffing, training, and education.
Nikki Kuna, MHA – Clinical Operations Consultant
Background: Nikki has several years
of experience in healthcare consulting. She has provided engagement support
focused primarily on process improvement and process optimization in the
provider space and has worked with clients to implement changes related to the
optimization of clinical operations in the inpatient setting.
Expertise: Progression and
coordination of care, care variation, resource utilization, collaborative care,
data analysis, and data visualization.
V. Bridget Sarikas – Operations Expert, Leadership Consultant and
Author
Background – An experienced
operating executive, author, and consultant on transformational leadership.
Held COO and CAO roles in complex organizations including healthcare.
Expertise – Process
effectiveness, project management, employee engagement, operational excellence,
customer experience, systems implementation, facilities management, supply
chain and real estate.
CONSULTANTS
FOR FINANCE, CODING, and CDI
Cari O’Leary, RN, BSN, CCDS – Senior Consultant for CDI
Background: Clinician with over 3O
years of industry and advisory experience in healthcare. Has led engagements in hospitals nationwide
through Clinical Transformation and Clinical Documentation Improvement to
support improved quality and revenue optimization. Cari has led transformational engagements on
both payer and provider clients to improve clinical operational effectiveness,
particularly in the areas of quality and margin/revenue optimization.
Expertise: Case Management,
Patient Throughput, Clinical Documentation Integrity staffing, education, and
technology optimization. Payer and provider focus to improve clinical
operational effectiveness, Quality and Revenue optimization, CDI program
implementation and training with detailed analysis of hospital case mix index
and DRG data.
Andretta Reed, RHIA, MHA – Executive Consultant for Health
Information Management and Coding
Background: Former Vice President
of HIM & Coding at Capella Health and Faculty at Rasmussen College.
Expertise in Ambulatory Coding and provided HIM SME Services to organizations
such as DaVita Kidney Care, American Physician Partners, and Community Health
Systems.
Expertise: Health Information
Management SME to include HIM strategic leadership, benchmark planning, coding,
and billing regulations, health data analytics, system implementation, adjunct
professor, training, and mentorship, as well as CDI Program development and
optimization.
Robert Tarola – Executive Consultant for Finance and Interim CFO
Background: Has extensive
experience as a public company director, CFO, and auditor. He brings a unique
perspective to address business and professional challenges of accountants,
auditors, attorneys, governance bodies and finance professionals.
Expertise: Advisory Services; Personnel
Development; Investment Management; M&A Transactions; Value Creation and
Capital Raising; Corporate Governance.
PHYSICIAN
CONSULTANTS FOR ACUTE SERVICES
James Bergmann, MD – Physician Executive, Medical Director, and
CMO
Background: Physician Executive
with extensive experience in the Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Health
Information Exchange (HIE) and Population Health markets in the US and abroad.
Has served as a Physician Executive at Allscripts and Cerner as well as a
former faculty member and Medical Director at the University of Vermont School
of Medicine.
Expertise: Experience enhanced by
over 28 years of clinical and academic medical practice. Board Certified in
Family Practice, Internal Medicine, and Sports Medicine. Extensive Surgical and
sub-specialty experience in Critical Care, Cardiology, Orthopedics and OB/GYN.
Christopher Haines DO, MBA, FAAP, FACEP, FACHE – Senior Physician
Consultant
Background: Board Certified in
Pediatric and Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Lean Six Sigma. Deep experience
with financial, quality, and safety outcomes in the hospital & health care
Industry. CEO & Founder of Unlock Health. Author of “Guns, Monkey Bars and
Hayholes – A Journey Through Pediatric Emergency Medicine”.
Expertise: Pediatrics, Emergency
Medicine, Healthcare management, Finance, Physician Relations.
Robert Leviton, MD, MPH, FACEP ABPM-CI – Senior Physician Advisor
Background: Physician Practice
Management Senior Administrator with expertise in relationship management,
operations, strategic planning and financial management for health care and
not-for-profit organizations.
Expertise: Advisory Services,
Physician compliance education, Case Management, Physician Advisory Services,
Emergency Department Medicine.
Susan Levine, MS, DVM, PhD – Chief Medical Officer and
Clinical Outcomes Consultant
Background:
Extensive experience as a clinician, researcher, and senior healthcare
consultant, previously held faculty positions at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester)
and Johns Hopkins Medicine. Former Senior VP and Chief Scientific Officer at
Hayes, Inc., and Senior Specialist Leader in Healthcare for Deloitte
Consulting, currently Senior VP of Clinical Measurement & Outcomes Improvement
at Forward Health Group.
Expertise:
Population Health Management, Clinical Quality Improvement, Program Evaluation,
Network Leakage, and Practice Transformation. Expertise in implementing
data-driven approaches to practice and policy, working with large health
systems, primary care and specialty provider groups, professional associations,
and health plans, focusing on promoting evidence-based practice, advancing
patient-centered outcomes, and improving quality, value, and efficiency of
care.
Michael Marron-Stearns, CPC, CFPC, MD – Senior Physician Advisor
Background: Former CMO, Physician
Informaticist, Accomplished Author, Health Information Technology and
Healthcare Compliance Consulting, Subject Matter Expert on APMs, CCM, TCM,
MACRA, HEDIS Measures, and Physician Coding as well as Educator for Clinical
Informatics. One of the original Subject Matter Experts for the creation of
SNOMED CT.
Expertise: MIPS/MACRA, Advanced
APMs, MSSP, BPCI, HCC, TCM, CCM, Software Design, Clinical Content &
Regulatory Compliance.
PHYSICIAN
PRACTICE CONSULTANTS
Stewart Ault, MPA – Senior Practice Management Consultant
Background: Physician Practice
Management Senior administrator with expertise in relationship management,
operations, strategic planning and financial management for health care and
not-for-profit organizations.
Expertise: Core Competencies
include developing and maintaining strategic partnerships, feasibility studies,
communication and interpersonal skills, leading teams, hospital and physician
practice operations and creative thinking.
John Roy, MHA – Senior Consultant for
Physician Practices
Background: John is an experienced academic group practice
administrator with over 25 years in academic medical school leadership
positions. Former Senior Administrator, Dean’s Office Information
Technology and Department of Dermatology at the University of Wisconsin, former
Administrative Center Director, Department of Medicine at the University of
Minnesota and former Director of Administration, Cardiovascular Institute,
Loyola University Medical Center.
Expertise: Extensive
work in clinical network operations, total cost of care financial arrangements,
physician compensation plan development and numerous continuous quality
improvement initiatives to enhance patient access and improve patient
outcomes. Led several medical school-wide IT projects including
cybersecurity risk assessment and business intelligence product evaluation.
CONSULTANTS
FOR POST ACUTE SERVICES
Trisha Brisendine, RN, BSN, CCM, MS – Senior Consultant for
Post-Acute Services
Background: Seasoned and diverse
leader in healthcare who has certifications as a director of nursing. Former roles as Chief clinical officer,
director of case management and regional director of clinical services for
health system. RN background includes ICU, ER, Labor and delivery acute,
subacute, and post-acute.
Expertise: Restructuring systems
to efficiently manage teams and systems. clinical documentation
expert that has extensive expert witness experience with both
hospital cases, post-acute care, and workers compensation files
Valerie Dewbre, RN – Senior Consultant for Post-Acute Services
Background: Principal of Owner of
a Concierge Consulting Service that supports all aspects of hospice, including
operations, business development, administration, clinical services,
compliance, as well as interim executive staffing. Experienced Healthcare
Executive with a demonstrated history of working in the healthcare industry
with emphasis in community health. Proven record in C-Suite positions including
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, and Chief Compliance Officer.
Expertise: Skilled in Medicare,
Medicaid, Hospice, Home Health, Physician Relations, Contract Management,
Healthcare Management, Population Health, and Business Development. Strong
operations professional with 2O+ years in hospice with multisite and multistate
management.
Mary Ann Miller, RN BSN – Senior Consultant for Post-Acute
Services
Background: Nurse executive with over 3O years of extensive
and diversified leadership experience. Clinical oversight of over 14O long term
care facilities in multiple states. Also oversight of over 4O locked dementia
units, 15 acute care hospitals, 6 hospices, 5 assisted living centers and 5
MR/DD facilities. Assisted IT company with development of new clinical product
lines. Past Director of Nursing and former lead instructor at a nurse aide training
school.
Expertise: Assessing, redesigning, and implementing system
transformation in multiple site environments. Analyze systems for compliance
with state, federal, OSHA and JACHO agencies. Development and implementation of
new systems and procedures in multiple states and settings. Establishes Quality
Improvement procedures and guidelines for strong clinical outcomes. Strong
background with leading clinical education.
Rose Rodriquez – Senior Consultant for Post-Acute Services
Background: Seasoned Healthcare
Sales Executive with 2O years in sales and over twelve years in Post-Acute,
LTACH, and Hospice leadership.
Expertise: Performance driven
marketing executive with proven history of success in producing revenue growth
in post-Acute services delivery. Driver of growth strategy and working with
leaders to exceed targets. Skilled in strategic planning, business development,
training, partnership development, removing admission barriers, denial
management, referral management and managed care.
Peter von Mechow, NHA, RN – Senior Living Consultant
Background: Former Nursing Home
Administrator, Compliance Officer, and Director of Nursing of Skilled Nursing
communities. Health Care administrator for Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living and
Independent Living.
Expertise: Senior Living
compliance, clinical operation efficiencies and optimizing reimbursement.
Operational gap analysis expertise for identification of operational risks and
development of action plans to mitigate those risks.
TECHNOLOGY,
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, DATA, AND ANALYTICS
Tanya Arthur – Chief Information Officer Consultant
Background: Former CIO for Summa
Health, CHI, and current CIO for BCBS of Kansas City. Technology Leader and Outcome Driver. Decision
accelerator focused on improving business operations and driving outcomes.
Extensive knowledge in cutting edge technology to drive better financial and
clinical outcomes.
Expertise:
Healthcare
technology executive with strong payer-provider experience and a reputation for
leading competitive strategies that align technology advances. Creates better
health outcomes while improving the financial profile of healthcare
organizations. Deep leadership in population health and change management
strategies. Uses technical and clinical knowledge to achieve breakthrough
technologies with a material impact on organizational performance and patient
care.
Erica Crenlon – Product and Solutions Manager
Background: Former Solutions
Manager and User Research and Design lead for Allscripts Care Management and
Referral Management Solutions. Has worked with large health systems such as
Tenet Healthcare, Cleveland Clinic, Northwell, & HCA.
Expertise: Acute Care management,
Post-Acute and Ambulatory, Denials and Appeals, Business Intelligence/Reporting,
and HIE, Patient/Member Experience.
Kerri Denton, BSIT – Senior Certified Epic Consultant
Background: Former Analyst with
Enterprise Licensed Epic Customer, Multiple Epic Clinical Case Management
Installation Projects at large health systems such as Methodist, King’s
Daughters and Sentara.
Expertise: Inpatient &
Outpatient Care Management Reporting Work Bench Analytics, Workload Acuity
Scoring and Data Analytics, Epic, Cerner CM ClinDoc and Epic Case Management.
Maggie Dick, PMP – Senior Project Manager
Background: Seasoned project
manager with experience with large health systems such as Dignity, Asante, and
Scripps. Led Project Management teams to support the COVID-19 Vaccine rollout
to the greater San Antonio area.
Expertise: Project Initiation,
Business Analysis, Agile/Sprint/Backlog Planning, Stakeholder Management,
Workflow Design, Resource Planning, Vendor Management, Team Building and
Mentorship, Systematic Problem Resolution, Operational Readiness/Transition,
Risk Management and Mitigation, Quality, and Process Improvement.
Ryan Freeberg – Consultant for IT Strategy
Background: Former IT Strategist
at Accenture, with extensive experience with global industries (health, retail,
industrial).
Expertise: IT strategy
assessment, planning, design, and implementation. IT Assessment and Strategy,
Pre-acquisition Due Diligence, Divestiture Planning, Execution, Cloud ERP
Strategy, ERP Strategy Development.
Kristina
Green, TOGAF – Business Analyst Consultant
Background: Mission-driven
healthcare leader with twenty years’ experience developing strategic program
initiatives and driving multi-million-dollar program outcomes for national
health plans (Anthem), Local Initiatives (L.A. Care Health Plan), and
value-based medical groups (HealthCare Partners – Now Optum).
Expertise: Health Plan &
Medical Group Operational Strategy and Execution, Program Management, Business
Architecture, NCQA Accreditation, and Quality Improvement and Risk Adjustment
strategies.
Shahran Haider – Data & Analytics Advisor
Background: 2O+ years of
experience helping Fortune 1OO organizations create teams, platforms and
culture for data driven performance. Proven leader with executive experience in
driving enterprise scale data transformation at L.A. Care Health Plan (2m
members, $9B revenue) & United Health Group. Currently Managing Principal
of CerebralEdge a Data/Analytics consulting firm.
Expertise: Advise clients and
lead programs on business transformation and strategic performance improvements
using modern data architecture and advanced analytics solutions.
Specializations and previous leadership responsibilities included Data
Strategy, AI/ML, Data Governance, Business Architecture, Data Warehousing,
Business Intelligence, HEDIS/CAHPS and Regulatory Reporting. $1OOM+ of business
value delivered through Analytics.
Michelle McCleerey, PhD, MA, MEd, MBA, RN – Senior Product/Product
Strategy Consultant
Background: Over 15
years of experience working in healthcare technology including the roles of Chief
Product Advisor, Senior Vice President of Product, Chief Clinical Officer, and
Vice President of Strategy across several healthcare market sectors (care
access, communication and collaboration, alert/alarm management, patient safety,
and patient flow/command center).
Expertise: Product
strategy, product management, innovation, research, and Human Factors, the
study of human limitations and capabilities and the utilization of that data to
deliver enabling human-centered technology designs.
Leigh McCormack, MS – Data and Analytics Advisor
Background: Data scientist leader
with former experience at BCBST and health care startups, AVP of Data and
Science Strategy and has built large scale data science teams, products, and
services.
Experience: Building and
implementing data science solutions into payer and provider ecosystems,
incorporating not-traditional data into healthcare analytics products.
Go-to-market design for SaaS products, developing analytic strategy for large
scale initiatives with respective ROI on population health and medical
management programs.
Laura Montesantos, JD, LLM – Healthcare Software Product
Consultant
Background:
Current VP, Product Management for a Care Coordination Platform Product, former
Senior Product Manager for Provider based solutions including Allscripts Care
Management (now WellSky), Allscripts Referral Management (now CarePort), and
Director of Product Integration for Payer based AIM Specialty Health, a
subsidiary of Anthem (now Elevance Health).
Expertise: Leading
and overseeing the product development and implementation for health care-based
technology teams, focus on product integration of acute and post-acute systems
to streamline provider workflow, improve user experience, and create software
tools to promote efficiencies. Health care legal document review and
vendor contracting.
Dr. Olufemi “Femi” Osidele, Ph.D. – Senior Business Analyst
Background: Founder & Managing
Director at Amojos Consulting, Inc. and serviced as Senior Research Engineer
for the Southwest Research Institute. Has completed contract work for the
Environmental Protection Agency.
Expertise: Managing networks,
contingency planning for business continuity, Security Administration, data
analyses, modeling and simulation, and proposal writing. Project management and
business development.
Irene Hannen Page, MSW – Senior Project Manager
Background: Certified ScrumMaster
(CSM), Sigma Black Belt, Six Sigma Green Belt. Former Senior Project Manager
for Allscripts (Care Management), has extensive experience with large clients
such as Kaiser Permanente, Inova, and Optum.
Expertise: Workflow, System
Configuration, Enterprise Project Management, Training, Education.
David Shaffer – Chief Information Officer Consultant (and Interim
CIO)
Background: Deep experience in
healthcare informatics and technology operations leadership; Former division
Director of Informatics at Baylor Scott and White Health, Sr. Corp Dir. ISD at
Tenet Healthcare. Leading in Medical Informatics, Acute and Ambulatory EHRs, IT
operations, Medical Staff IT services, Quality Reporting, Operations Alignment
and Improvement of Physician and HIM Workflows.
Expertise: Enterprise
Contracting, Implementation, and Optimization of complex EHR and HIT, Interoperability
and Integration, Strategic IT planning, Risk Assessments, Program Management, Product
Selection and Return on Investment.
Meet Our Team
These are the people that make the magic happen.
Jim Alland
Strategic Market Advisor
Background - Former President of Enterprise Systems at McKesson HBOC, Former Senior Vice President at Allscripts, current Chief Sales Officer at OnShift, and Chief Advisor at Healthcare Solution Market Strategies.
Expertise - Enterprise level Acute and Long-Term Care organizations, as well as Physician providers in all practice sizes from small, independent organizations through Enterprise level, multi-specialty practices. Former clients include Northwell (NSLIJ), Baylor, Scott & White, Orlando Health, and University of Kentucky as well as some of the largest and most successful Physician Practices and ACOs in the U.S.
Tammy Harriss
Senior Marketing Consultant
Background - 2O years of experience in Healthcare IT marketing with a proven track record in developing successful lead generating campaigns and collateral for post-acute and acute services and solutions.
Expertise - Case Management, Utilization Management, Referral Management Discharge Planning, Homecare, Hospice, Population Health, Electronic Medical Records and Emergency Department.
Linus Diedling B.S.B.A
Executive Vice President of Client Services
Background - Accomplished senior executive with over 35 years of international leadership experience in healthcare operations management, performance improvement and information technology services. Former Principal Consultant at Schumacher Clinical Practice.
Expertise - Change Management, Executive Level Performance Improvement Consulting, Complex Program Management, Strategic Planning & Market Assessments, and Information Technology Enabled Business Process Innovation across the continuum of care.
Bridget Sarikas
Operations Expert, Leadership Consultant and Author
Background - An experienced operating executive, author, and consultant on transformational leadership. Held COO and CAO roles in complex organizations including healthcare.
Expertise - Process effectiveness, project management, employee engagement, operational excellence, customer experience, systems implementation, facilities management, supply chain and real estate.
Robert Tarola
Executive Consultant for Finance and Interim CFO
Background - Has extensive experience as a public company director, CFO, and auditor. He brings a unique perspective to address business and professional challenges of accountants, auditors, attorneys, governance bodies and finance professionals.
Expertise - Advisory Services; Personnel Development; Investment Management; M&A Transactions; Value Creation and Capital Raising; Corporate Governance.
Donna McLean, RN, BSN, MBA
Managing Consultant for Clinical Process Improvement
Background - 4O years of healthcare experience in critical care nursing and case management, 2O years in Case Management leadership and consulting including Ochsner Health System, Grady Health System, Dignity Health, and CHI.
Expertise - Case Management Design, Utilization Management and Denials, Strategic planning, Compliance, CM Education and Service Quality Assurance.
James Bergmann, MD
Physician Executive, Medical Director, and CMO
Background - Physician Executive with extensive experience in the Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Health Information Exchange (HIE) and Population Health markets in the US and abroad. Has served as a Physician Executive at Allscripts and Cerner as well as a former faculty member and Medical Director at the University of Vermont School of Medicine.
Expertise - Experience enhanced by over 28 years of clinical and academic medical practice. Board Certified in Family Practice, Internal Medicine, and Sports Medicine. Extensive Surgical and sub-specialty experience in Critical Care, Cardiology, Orthopedics and OB/GYN.
Robert Leviton, MD, MPH, FACEP ABPM-CI
Senior Physician Advisor
Background - Physician Practice Management Senior administrator with expertise in relationship management, operations, strategic planning and financial management for health care and not-for-profit organizations.
Expertise - Advisory Services, Physician compliance education, Case Management, Physician Advisory Services, Emergency Department Medicine.
Michael Marron-Stearns, CPC, CFPC, MD
Senior Physician Advisor
Background - Former CMO, Physician Informaticist, Accomplished Author, Health Information Technology and Healthcare Compliance Consulting, Subject Matter Expert on APMs, CCM, TCM, MACRA, HEDIS Measures, and Physician Coding as well as Educator for Clinical Informatics. One of the original Subject Matter Experts for the creation of SNOMED CT.
Expertise - MIPS/MACRA, Advanced APMs, MSSP, BPCI, HCC, TCM, CCM, Software Design, Clinical Content & Regulatory Compliance.
Christopher Haines DO, MBA, FAAP, FACEP, FACHE
Senior Physician Consultant
Background - Board Certified in Pediatric and Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Lean Six Sigma. Deep experience with financial, quality, and safety outcomes in the hospital & health care Industry. CEO & Founder of Unlock Health. Author of “Guns, Monkey Bars and Hayholes – A Journey Through Pediatric Emergency Medicine”.
Expertise - Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, Healthcare management, Finance, Physician Relations.
Kathy Scott, RN, MPA, PhD., FACHE
Clinical Operations Executive Consultant
Background - A seasoned healthcare executive, consultant, speaker, and writer and has served in the capacity of CNO, COO, Chief Innovation Officer, and Chief Integration Officer for several health systems.
Expertise - Expertise in designing, implementing, and managing wide-scale change utilizing a high-reliability systems framework. Clinical Innovation and ACO clinical integration, operational oversight of hospitals, case management, information technology/systems, informatics, research, quality and performance excellence, education, post-acute and outpatient programs.
Michelle McCleerey, PhD, MA, MEd, MBA, RN
Senior Product/Product Strategy Consultant
Background - Over 15 years of experience working in healthcare technology including the roles of Chief Product Advisor, Senior Vice President of Product, Chief Clinical Officer, and Vice President of Strategy across several healthcare market sectors (care access, communication and collaboration, alert/alarm management, patient safety and patient flow/command center).
Expertise - Product strategy, product management, innovation, research, and Human Factors, the study of human limitations and capabilities and the utilization of that data to deliver enabling human-centered technology designs.
Marianne DiMola
Executive Recruiter for Direct Hire Placement Services
Background - More than twenty-five years of experience in healthcare human resources management and career development. Former Director at Bayada Nurses and Nursefinders. She is a founding member of CMSA’s TriChapter New York Conferences and is the former Executive Director of the New York City Chapter of CMSA (20 years). Founder of Pathway Medical Staffing, a nationally recognized leader providing case management recruitment and retention advisory services, HEDIS staffing, and project management. Former Senior Vice President of National Sales and Operations for Medical Staffing Network, Care Management and Vice President of Care Management at Cross Country.
Expertise - Healthcare Recruiting, Human Resources, Case Management, Physician Advisory, CM Redesign, and Process Improvement. Ms. DiMola presented “Essential Strategies” at the CMSA National Conference and CMSA, NYC Chapter in 2O11, Long Island CMSA Conference 2O12, “The Secret Victory of Case Managers” at CMSA National in 2O13 and has authored and coauthored, “Essential Strategies to Cultivate Your Career” for the Professional Case Management; Vol. 17/No. 5 “Next Level Case Management Guide Book, Co-Authored “The Great Exodus Hitting Case Management” in CMSA today March 2O22 and in 2O21 presented multiple times to the Case Management Community.
Sunil Joshi
Senior Consultant for Finance and Managed Care
Background - Nearly 30 years of health plan, provider, managed care expertise in all market segments including commercial, Medicare, Medicaid with a focus on top line growth, cost of care, business development, network management, operations, P&L management, and Account Management. Worked at Anthem, managed a $125MM P&L of an IPA, Senior Vice President at a $8.5B Provider/Care Management firm focused on expansion via Value Based Care contracts. Consulting experience with clients ranging from health plans, specialty providers, business process outsourcing, care management, telemedicine, substance abuse, lab, home health, hospice, health tech, not-for-profit advocacy group.
Expertise - Top Line Growth initiatives including Network Development, Business Development, Program Development and Cost of Care strategies via Quality or Care Management Projects to bend the cost curve.
Susan Levine, MS, DVM, PhD
Chief Medical Officer and Clinical Outcomes Consultant
Background - Extensive experience as a clinician, researcher, and senior healthcare consultant, previously held faculty positions at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester) and Johns Hopkins Medicine. Former Senior VP and Chief Scientific Officer at Hayes, Inc., and Senior Specialist Leader in Healthcare for Deloitte Consulting, currently Senior VP of Clinical Measurement & Outcomes Improvement at Forward Health Group.
Expertise - Population Health Management, Clinical Quality Improvement, Program Evaluation, Network Leakage, and Practice Transformation. Expertise in implementing data-driven approaches to practice and policy, working with large health systems, primary care and specialty provider groups, professional associations, and health plans, focusing on promoting evidence-based practice, advancing patient-centered outcomes, and improving quality, value, and efficiency of care.
Joseph Burke, RN, MPH
Senior Consultant for Clinical Process Improvement
Background - Former Regional Executive Director of Clinical Quality Improvement and Case Management for Tenet Healthcare, Nursing Administrator at Barnes-Jewish Hospital/BJC Health System, Master Certificate Lean Six Sigma.
Expertise - ED, Readmissions Management, LOS, Denials, Throughput, Quality, Case Management Operations and Redesign, Project Management, Value Based Care, Compliance with Regulatory & Operational Clinical Standards and Process Redesign/Improvement Implementation.
Ruth McNaughton, BSN, MHM, CCM, ACM-RN
Senior Consultant for Clinical Process Improvement
Background - Former Senior Director of Care Management, Administrator for Hospitalist, and Mid-Level Groups, ACO Program Development, Acute Care Case Management Consultant, Home Care Owner, and Geriatric Case Management.
Expertise - Acute Case Management, Utilization Review, Transitions of Care, Readmission Reduction Programs, ACO and Community Case Management Development, Hospitalist Management and System Integration, Sub-Acute, SNF, and Home Care Development for Quality Outcomes.
Linda Lockwood, RN, MBA
Senior Consultant for Value Based Care and Post-Acute Care
Background - With over 35 years of experience in leadership roles in the healthcare industry; payer and provider markets with a focus on chronic disease, behavioral health, and substance use disorder. She has held several leadership roles in these areas and is well versed in the regulatory environment, strategy, and the execution of treatment models and outcomes measurement.
Expertise - Clinical Quality and Operations, Analytics, VBC and Medical Home, Digital Health, Care Coordination, Value Based Care, Compliance with Regulatory & Operational Clinical Standards and Process Redesign/Improvement Implementation, LOS, Denials, Throughput, and Quality.
Marsha S. Masten, RN, BSN
Senior Consultant for Care Coordination
Background - Nurse executive with 3O+ years of healthcare experience, specializing in payer relations (BCBS, Humana, and Anthem, Medicare & Medicaid) to support quality, VBC, Population Health and Disease Management in acute and post-acute settings.
Expertise - Assessment, redesign, and implementation of operational process improvements and change management. Healthcare innovation and Information Technology, Call Center Design, and strategy development to decrease readmission outcomes. Building Client Service teams, Post-Discharge Care Coordination), centralized scheduling, and patient experience and retention.
Betsy Isherwood Katz RN BSN MPS CCM
Executive Consultant for Clinical Process Improvement
Background - Over forty years of experience in healthcare, including public health, population health and care coordination. Twenty-five years in leadership positions, including serving as National Director of Population Health Utilization Effectiveness for Catholic Health Initiatives and Interim SVP of Acute Care Coordination for Common Spirit Health (the merged system of Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health).
Expertise - Care Coordination Operations and Design, Readmissions and Length of Stay Management, Transitions of Care! Complex Case Management, Appeal and Denial processes, Value Based Care, Regulatory Compliance, Social Determinants of Health, Physician Advisory Services, healthcare analytics and expanding use of Artificial Intelligence systems.
Betsy Mazzoleni, MA, BSN, ACM-RN
Senior Consultant for Case Management Content
Background - Former Alicare Management Nurse Helpline Director, Change Healthcare Clinical Content Developer for prototype Hospital in the Home project/InterQual criteria and co-lead for Home Hospital pilot project in academic community setting. Former Content Developer for Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s web team, Recent CDI, and Case Management experience, serving on the ACMA MA Chapter’s Board and Co-Chair of its Marketing and Social Media committee.
Expertise - Decision-tree support product/content development for case management/telehealth, Hospital at Home case management criteria, telehealth training, health content development for Internet and social media platforms, marketing for healthcare systems. Recent working knowledge of case management and CDI practice. Master’s in Media Arts from Emerson College.
Nancy Flint, RN, BSN, CCM
Senior Consultant for Case Management and Interim Director
Background - Former Director of CM of UHS Hospitals (Best Practice reference sites for CM IT and Operations). Provides Project Management, Implementation Support, and Interim Director services. Led Projects improving Home Care Admissions and improving Care Transitions.
Expertise - Case Management, Interim Leadership, Discharge Planning, Utilization Review, Transitions of Care & Denial Management.
Cathy Leenher, RN, MSN, CNS, CPNP
Senior Consultant for Case Management and CDI
Background - Experienced leader in mid-revenue cycle with 34 years of healthcare experience. Former VP at Medassets, former Associate Director at Guidehouse (Navigant) and former Manager at Huron.
Expertise - Revenue Cycle, Case Management (CM) and Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) that included 16 years exceeding client’s needs, increasing revenue, consulting workflow redesign, and working with physicians, HIM, and clinicians. Directed and educated more than 1OO hospitals and organizations to move their programs to industry leading practice in CDI and CM.
Nora Baratto, LCSW-R, ACM
Senior Consultant of Complex Care and Care Transition
Background - Former Director Client Services, Director of Complex Care and Post-Acute Services (Innovative Health Alliance of NY), Director of Complex CM at St. Peter’s Hospital (NY), and Former Lecturer at NY State University at Albany, School of Social Welfare.
Expertise - Advisory Services, Education and Training, ACO Development, Post-Acute Provider Networks, Complex Case Management Program Development, Behavioral Health, Social Work, Utilization Management, Patient Logistics, Care Transitions, Post-Acute Operations (Home Health, Hospice) and Palliative Care.
Larry Burnett, RN, MS
Clinical Operations Executive Consultant
Background - Larry has several decades of experience as a leader in healthcare consulting. He has worked with clients to improve clinical operational effectiveness and has supported clients in clinical care delivery to improve quality and financial margins.
Expertise - Coordination of care, change management, clinical redesign, care models, care variation, resource utilization, collaborative care, margin optimization, and clinical operational effectiveness.
Kathy Jermain, RN, BSHM, ACM-RN
Clinical Operations Executive Consultant
Background - Kathy is a healthcare consultant with over 3O years of industry and advisory experience in healthcare. Kathy is an accomplished case management and care coordination leader and has led Case Management Transformations in both academic hospitals, community health systems, and payer settings.
Expertise - Case management transformations, transition of care, coordination of care, patient throughput, quality, performance improvement, medical necessity, denials management, staffing, training, and education.
Nikki Kuna, MHA
Clinical Operations Consultant
Background - Nikki has several years of experience in healthcare consulting. She has provided engagement support focused primarily on process improvement and process optimization in the provider space and has worked with clients to implement changes related to the optimization of clinical operations in the inpatient setting.
Expertise - Progression and coordination of care, care variation, resource utilization, collaborative care, data analysis, and data visualization.
Marie London, RN BSN CMAC CPHIMS
Senior Consultant for Value Based Care
Background - Former VP of Care Management at Healthcare Partners (Now Optum), formerly in UM/CM/DM product design at Anthem, former Director of Nursing for a large national home health company, current Principal Marie London Consulting. Has completed large redesign and transformation projects and IT implementation work with clients such as Anthem, Healthcare Partners, Agilon health, and LA Care Health Plan.
Expertise - Registered Nurse with 14 years of hospital, clinic and ambulance experience including ICU, ED, outpatient, and psyche. Have specialized expertise in UM/CM/PHM platforms. Conducted multiple assessments for UM and CM operations. Led special transformation projects on Cal AIM, Expanded Primarily Health-Related Benefits (EPHRB), Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) with a focus on the operationalization and IT implementation of the SDOH benefits.
Mary Ariosto-Coe, MSPH, BSN, FACHE, CPPS
Senior Consultant for Value Based Care
Background - Former Director of Project Integration, Clinical Transformation, and Rehabilitation, former AVP of Cardiovascular Services and Neurosciences at a 9OO bed hospital, licensed RN with experience in neonatal and pediatrics. Domestic clinical practice at Duke, strategic planning/executive leadership at MedStar/Washington Hospital Center (MD/DC), population health experience at St. Peter’s Health Partners in Albany, NY.
Expertise - Licensed RN with 1O years clinical practice and over 3O years in health system planning, operations, and execution of clinical programs and services across providers and advanced payment models. ACO development, CMS MSSP risk-bearing contracts, BPCI programs, clinical service contracts with attention to State Planning Commission submissions, quality benchmarks, HEDIS, core measure, and other metrics.
Cari O’Leary, RN, BSN, CCDS
Clinical Operations Executive Consultant
Background - Clinician with over 3O years of industry and advisory experience in healthcare. Has led engagements in hospitals nationwide through Clinical Transformation and Clinical Documentation Improvement to support improved quality and revenue optimization. Cari has led transformational engagements on both payer and provider clients to improve clinical operational effectiveness, particularly in the areas of quality and margin/revenue optimization.
Expertise - Case Management, Patient Throughput, Clinical Documentation Integrity staffing, education, and technology optimization. Payer and provider focus to improve clinical operational effectiveness, Quality and Revenue optimization, CDI program implementation and training with detailed analysis of hospital case mix index and DRG data.
Benjamin Ryden, MSW
Consultant, Behavioral Health
Background - IT focused MSW with experience with health plans such as Coimagine Health and Liberty Healthcare Corporation. Well versed in products and services, Ben has led teams to decide to buy vs. build.
Expertise - Behavioral health Program design, Contract development and management, Quality Assurance, Team building, Process improvement Data Analytics Customer service, MMIS.
Frances “Fran” Stelly, RN, ACM
Consultant for Case Management
Background - 4O+ years in Nursing and former Operations Manager at Brackenridge Hospital (Austin) and Subject Matter Expert for Allscripts Care Management (WellSky).
Expertise - Discharge Planning, Utilization Management, Post-Acute Contracting, Case Management, Community Outreach, Utilization Review, Readmissions and LOS Management, and Denial Management.
Stewart Ault, MPA
Senior Practice Management Consultant
Background - Physician Practice Management Senior administrator with expertise in relationship management, operations, strategic planning and financial management for health care and not-for-profit organizations.
Expertise - Core Competencies include developing and maintaining strategic partnerships, feasibility studies, communication and interpersonal skills, leading teams, hospital and physician practice operations and creative thinking.
Ajit Sett
CEO of Savera Health, Project Oversight for Coding Audits
Background - CEO and Founder of Savera Health, Former Vice-President- Revenue Cycle Solutions Management & Consulting Services as Siemens Health and Allscripts EMR, Executive member of the Revenue Cycle service line management team for E&Y Consulting and former Business Analyst at Deloitte Consulting.
Expertise - Comprehensive Revenue Cycle+ Services with special focus on Financial Clearance, Coding, Coding Audit, CDI, Clinical Validation, DRG Assurance; MR Indexing, Transcription, AR & Denial Management, and Patient Cash Collections. Enterprise RCM Process Transformation; System Implementation PMO; System Stabilization; Global Strategic Sourcing-Payor-Provider Collaboration; M&A Valuation Due Diligence; Business Modeling; and GTM Strategy Development.
Andretta Reed- RHIA, MHA
Senior Consultant for Health Information Management
Background - Former Vice President of HIM & Coding at Capella Health and Faculty at Rasmussen College. Expertise in Ambulatory Coding and provided HIM SME Services to organizations such as DaVita Kidney Care, American Physician Partners, and Community Health Systems.
Expertise - Health Information Management SME to include HIM strategic leadership, benchmark planning, coding, and billing regulations, health data analytics, system implementation, adjunct professor, training, and mentorship, as well as CDI Program development and optimization.
Frances Horner
Senior Consultant for Patient Access
Background - Former Founder and Managing Partner of Singola Consulting, former Sr. Director Patient Access, and Epic Principal Trainer at NorthShore University HealthSystem, and current President of VoC Consulting Group. Has completed large digital transformation projects and contact center implementation work with clients such as Jefferson Health, CHOP, Rochester Regional Health, and Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Expertise - Unique knowledge, understanding, and ability to integrate patient engagement with healthcare operations, IT, business processes, marketing/advertising, contact centers, and electronic medical record systems is invaluable to healthcare organizations.
John Roy, MHA
Senior Consultant for Physician Practices
Background - John is an experienced academic group practice administrator with over 25 years in academic medical school leadership positions. Former Senior Administrator, Dean’s Office Information Technology and Department of Dermatology at the University of Wisconsin, former Administrative Center Director, Department of Medicine at the University of Minnesota and former Director of Administration, Cardiovascular Institute, Loyola University Medical Center.
Expertise - Extensive work in clinical network operations, total cost of care financial arrangements, physician compensation plan development and numerous continuous quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient access and improve patient outcomes. Led several medical school-wide IT projects including cybersecurity risk assessment and business intelligence product evaluation.
Shahran Haider
Data & Analytics Advisor
Background - 2O+ years of experience helping Fortune 1OO organizations create teams, platforms and culture for data driven performance. Proven leader with executive experience in driving enterprise scale data transformation at L.A. Care Health Plan (2m members, $9b revenue ) & United Health Group. Currently Managing Principal of CerebralEdge a Data/Analytics consulting firm.
Expertise - Advise clients and lead programs on business transformation and strategic performance improvements using modern data architecture and advanced analytics solutions. Specializations and previous leadership responsibilities included Data Strategy, AI/ML, Data Governance, Business Architecture, Data warehousing, Business Intelligence, HEDIS/CAHPS and Regulatory Reporting. $1OOm+ of business value delivered through Analytics.
Valerie Dewbre, RN
Senior Post-Acute Consultant
Background - Principal of Owner of a Concierge Consulting Service that supports all aspects of hospice, including operations, business development, administration, clinical services, compliance, as well as interim executive staffing. Experienced Healthcare Executive with a demonstrated history of working in the healthcare industry with emphasis in community health. Proven record in C-Suite positions including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, and Chief Compliance Officer.
Expertise - Skilled in Medicare, Medicaid, Hospice, Home Health, Physician Relations, Contract Management, Healthcare Management, Population Health, and Business Development. Strong operations professional with 2O+ years in hospice with multisite and multistate management.
Kevin D. Moran
MBA, MSM- Senior Consultant for Managed Care
Background - Former Executive Director of Physician Engagement at CHS, Health Management Associates, and the Arkansas Oklahoma Healthcare Consortium. Selected by Governor of Arkansas to lead design and implementation of the State’s Health Insurance Exchange.
Expertise - Advisory Services, Managed Care contracting responsibilities for Medicare, Medicaid, and Commercial Payors. Business development, marketing, change management, staff training and development, corporate vision setting, and fiscal policy and control.
Leigh McCormack, MS
Data and Analytics Advisor
Background - Data scientist leader with former experience at BCBST and health care startups, AVP of Data and Science Strategy and has built large scale data science teams, products, and services.
Expertise - Building and implementing data science solutions into payer and provider ecosystems, incorporating not-traditional data into healthcare analytics products. Go-to-market design for SaaS products, developing analytic strategy for large scale initiatives with respective ROI on population health and medical management programs.
Rose Rodriquez
Consultant for Post-Acute Business Development and Marketing
Background - Seasoned Healthcare Sales Executive with 2O years in sales and over twelve years in Post-Acute, LTACH, and Hospice leadership.
Expertise - Performance driven marketing executive with proven history of success in producing revenue growth in post-Acute services delivery. Driver of growth strategy and working with leaders to exceed targets. Skilled in strategic planning, business development, training, partnership development, removing admission barriers, denial management, referral management and managed care.
Mary Ann Miller, RN BSN
Senior Consultant for Post-Acute Process Improvement
Background - Nurse executive with over 3O years of extensive and diversified leadership experience. Clinical oversight of over 14O long term care facilities in multiple states. Also oversight of over 4O locked dementia units, 15 acute care hospitals, 6 hospices, 5 assisted living centers and 5 MR/DD facilities. Assisted IT company with development of new clinical product lines. Past Director of Nursing and former lead instructor at a nurse aide training school.
Expertise - Assessing, redesigning, and implementing system transformation in multiple site environments. Analyze systems for compliance with state, federal, OSHA and JACHO agencies. Development and implementation of new systems and procedures in multiple states and settings. Establishes Quality Improvement procedures and guidelines for strong clinical outcomes. Strong background with leading clinical education.
Trisha Brisendine, RN, BSN, CCM, MS
Senior Consultant for Post-Acute (SNF)
Background - Seasoned and diverse leader in healthcare who has certifications as a director of nursing. Former roles as Chief clinical officer, director of case management and regional director of clinical services for health system. RN background includes ICU, ER, Labor and delivery acute, subacute, and post-acute.
Expertise - Restructuring systems to efficiently manage teams and systems. clinical documentation expert that has extensive expert witness experience with both hospital cases, post-acute care, and workers compensation files. .I have done extensive market analysis with health systems to ensure that patients that are the correct patient for the system are the demographic we worked to place in our beds.
Laura Montesantos, JD, LLM
Healthcare Software Product Consultant
Background - Current VP, Product Management for a Care Coordination Platform Product, former Senior Product Manager for Provider based solutions including Allscripts Care Management (now WellSky), Allscripts Referral Management (now CarePort), and Director of Product Integration for Payer based AIM Specialty Health, a subsidiary of Anthem (now Elevance Health).
Expertise - Leading and overseeing the product development and implementation for health care-based technology teams, focus on product integration of acute and post-acute systems to streamline provider workflow, improve user experience, and create software tools to promote efficiencies. Health care legal document review and vendor contracting.
Patti Winstanley
The Connectinator
Background - President of Winstanley Consultants. Called “The Connectinator”, she has helped businesses of all sizes build relationships to grow sales channels, community partners and navigation of procurement networks. Matches corporations to reliable vendors that meet needs and goals.
Expertise - Business Development, Relationship Building, Marketing, Business Processes, Brand Management, Diversity and Inclusion, Strategic Direction; Sales, Profitability, Coaching; Staff and Customer Growth.
Mike Bonner
Strategy & Business Development Consultant
Background - Trusted Leader in driving new revenue, growing service lines, and developing strategic alliances and partnerships. ” Deal Experience” with Physician Group Acquisitions, Joint Venture (JVs), Service Line Optimization, System Improvements, Buyouts, Employee Agreements, Service Agreements, and Real Estate Identification & Lease Negotiations.
Expertise - ROI & Data Analytics, Market & Opportunity Analysis, Operational & Capital Budget Development, Project Management, Building & Maintaining Relationships, Strategic Planning, Team Management & Leadership and Evaluating & Implementing Healthcare Business & Strategy.
David Shaffer
Chief Information Officer
Background - Deep experience in healthcare informatics and technology operations leadership; Former division Director of Informatics at Baylor Scott and White Health, Sr.Corp Dir. ISD at Tenet Healthcare. Leading in Medical Informatics, Acute and Ambulatory EHRs, IT operations, Medical Staff IT services, Quality Reporting, Operations Alignment and Improvement of Physician and HIM Workflows.
Expertise - Enterprise Contracting, Implementation, and Optimization of complex EHR and HIT, Interoperability and Integration, Strategic IT planning, Risk Assessments, Program Management, Product Selection and Return on Investment.
Erica Crenlon
Product and Solutions Manager
Background - Former Solutions Manager and User Research and Design lead for Allscripts Care Management and Referral Management Solutions. Has worked with large health systems such as Tenet Healthcare, Cleveland Clinic, Northwell, & HCA.
Expertise - Acute Care management, Post-Acute and Ambulatory, Denials and Appeals, Business Intelligence/Reporting, and HIE, Patient/Member Experience.
Dr. Olufemi “Femi” Osidele, Ph.D.
Senior Business Analyst
Background - Founder & Managing Director at Amojos Consulting, Inc. and serviced as Senior Research Engineer for the Southwest Research Institute. Has completed contract work for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Expertise - Managing networks, contingency planning for business continuity, Security Administration, data analyses, modeling and simulation, and proposal writing. Project management and business development.
Ryan Freeberg
Consultant for IT Strategy
Background - Former IT Strategist at Accenture, with extensive experience with global industries (health, retail, industrial).
Expertise - IT strategy assessment, planning, design, and implementation. IT Assessment and Strategy, Pre-acquisition Due Diligence, Divestiture Planning, Execution, Cloud ERP Strategy, ERP Strategy Development.
Kristina Green, TOGAF
Business Analyst Consultant
Background - Mission-driven healthcare leader with twenty years’ experience developing strategic program initiatives and driving multi-million-dollar program outcomes for national health plans (Anthem), Local Initiatives (L.A. Care Health Plan), and value-based medical groups (HealthCare Partners – Now Optum).
Expertise - Health Plan & Medical Group Operational Strategy and Execution, Program Management, Business Architecture, NCQA Accreditation, and Quality Improvement and Risk Adjustment strategies.
Kerri Denton, BSIT
Senior Certified Epic Consultant
Background - Former Analyst with Enterprise Licensed Epic Customer, Multiple Epic Clinical Case Management Installation Projects at large health systems such as Methodist, King’s Daughters and Sentara.
Expertise - Inpatient & Outpatient Care Management Reporting Work Bench Analytics, Workload Acuity Scoring and Data Analytics, Epic, Cerner CM ClinDoc and Epic Case Management.
Irene Hannen Page, MSW
Senior Project Manager
Background - Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Sigma Black Belt, Six Sigma Green Belt. Former Senior Project Manager for Allscripts (Care Management), has extensive experience with large clients such as Kaiser Permanente, Inova, and Optum.
Expertise - Workflow, System Configuration, Enterprise Project Management, Training, Education.
Maggie Dick, PMP
Senior Project Manager
Background - Seasoned project manager with experience with large health systems such as Dignity, Asante, and Scripps. Led Project Management teams to support the COVID-19 Vaccine rollout to the greater San Antonio area.
Expertise - Project Initiation, Business Analysis, Agile/Sprint/Backlog Planning, Stakeholder Management, Workflow Design, Resource Planning, Vendor Management, Team Building and Mentorship, Systematic Problem Resolution, Operational Readiness/Transition, Risk Management and Mitigation, Quality, and Process Improvement.
This is our team, a lot of smiling happy people who work hard to empower your needs.
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