Partner, Caldwell Butler and Associates

 

Director of Contracting, Surgical and Nursing, Commited Contracting Group (CCG), Premier, Inc.

 

Senior Director - Pharmacy Sourcing, Pensiamo

 

Jeromie Atkinson is a Sr. Director – Pharmacy Sourcing for Pensiamo. His areas of responsibility include planning, designing, and implementing supply chain strategy in support of UPMC, HC Pharmacy and Pensiamo’s customer base. Additionally, he has responsibility for facilitating Pensiamo’s strategic supplier relationships within the pharmacy operations.  Jeromie began working for Pensiamo in 2017 but has had a 20+ year career in various disciplines within the industry of supply chain, working for small retail organizations to large publicly traded companies. In addition to his career at Intermountain Healthcare, Jeromie currently holds adjunct faculty positions and teaches undergraduate Global Supply Chain Management in the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah, and graduate Healthcare Supply Chain Management in the Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions at Weber State University.  Jeromie received a B.S. in Business Administration and a Master’s of Healthcare Administration from Weber State University, as well as a Master’s of Business Administration-Supply Chain from Arizona State University.

 

Director SCO Business Development, Intermountain Healthcare

 

As the Director of Supply Chain Business Development, Richard works as a senior supply chain leader at Intermountain Healthcare to deliver the supply chain triple aim of "Becoming A Model".  He has a proven track record of leading complex and diverse teams to deliver exceptional customer value.  He has led major award winning supply chain initiatives in procurement transformation and product standardization.  Prior to his current role, he led the category management team at Intermountain.  He has worked for 3M Health Information Systems in development of their electronic medical records.  He has also worked for Siemens developing commercial IT products.  He is a graduate of the University of Utah with a degree in computer science and also has a master's degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix, where he has taught for 17 years.

 

Tony Benedict is a CEO / COO steeped in Operations, having led step-change results in manufacturing based companies in 
industries ranging from healthcare to pharmaceuticals, to semiconductors. He is well known for his ability to apply strategic principles and quickly grasp entirely new industries. He has guided Global Fortune 50 companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and Intel. Today, he is a Partner with Omicron Partners, LLC, a Strategy and Operations advisory firm.   Most recently, Benedict was recruited to HonorHealth as the top Procurement and Supply Chain executive. At HonorHealth, he restructured the procurement and supply chain organizations post-merger and consolidated two ERP systems. Previously, he was Chief Information Officer, Vice President of Supply Chain for Tenet Health, and Vice President, Supply Chain, Vanguard Health Systems at Abrazo Community Health Network.  Benedict received a bachelor’s in psycho-biology from Albright College and a Master’s of Business Administration with a specialization in finance and operations from University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business. He is a co-author of the Business Process 
Management Common Body of Knowledge versions 2 and 3. He is an Adjunct Professor and has taught Project Management at Arizona State University. Tony resides in Tempe, Arizona, and enjoys golf, hiking, and motorcycle touring.

 

Corporate Director of Materials Management, Valley Health

 

Bruce Carlson serves Valley Health as the corporate director of materials management. He has over 30 years of progressively complex healthcare supply chain management experience in materials management, purchasing, logistics, supply chain, performance improvement and performance measurement areas. These experiences have been earned in the community, religious, university, and for-profit environments. Current responsibilities include providing materials management services and support to Valley Health’s three owned facilities, plus a Valley Health managed facility and four affiliate facilities which draw supplies from the shared services center located in Winchester, VA. Bruce earned his Masters in management from Indiana Wesleyan University and his Bachelors in business administration from Central Methodist University.

 

Vice President, Business Strategy, Greater New York Hospital Association Ventures, Inc. (GNYHA)

 

Frank Cirillo is vice president, business strategy, Greater New York Hospital Association Ventures Inc. His main duties at GNYHA are to bring value to health systems’ supply chain operations through group purchasing program participation and process improvement. Additionally, Frank provides consulting services to health systems with GNYHA’s consulting arm Nexera. For the previous 25 years, Mr. Cirillo held several senior management positions at HHC. During the latter two years of his tenure, Mr. Cirillo, HHC’s first chief restructuring officer, led HHC’s priority project—the restructuring of HHC’s clinical and operational programs—yielding HHC an implementation change roadmap resulting in savings and additional revenues of over $300 million annually. For the prior 13 years, Frank was HHC’s chief operating officer responsible for a far-reaching span of control, including, but not limited to, supply chain operations and all contracting. Frank received his undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, graduate training from St. John’s University, and holds certification from the “Top 40” executive management program administered by Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He is also president/CEO of the Cirillo Consulting Group.

 

Managing Partner, Medical Strategies International

 

 

Vice President, Strategic Supplier Engagement and Business Development, Premier, Inc.

 

Vice President of Strategic Customer Relations, ROi

 

Greg Firestone is Vice President of Strategic Customer Relations at ROi. In his role, Greg collaborates with health system providers to identify opportunities for strategic alignment with ROi’s integrated supply chain services and solutions to enhance the operational infrastructure and financial health of fellow providers’ supply chains. Prior to ROi, Greg was Regional Vice President with MedSpeed, Founder & CEO of Dermal Life, LLC, and Co-Founder & President of Mossberg Labs. Preceding these positions, Greg was Owner & CEO of NCI, where he developed strategic business plans and market strategies for suppliers, distributors, GPOs, IDNs and large insurers; fostered relationships and strategic partnerships between supply chain stakeholders; founded the IDN Summit & Expo; and authored a book titled “Swimming with the Supertankers,” written to assist supplier sales and marketing professionals in gaining keen insights into the necessary elements for fostering mutually beneficial relationships with hospital and health system purchase decision makers. Greg is a Member of the IDN Summit & Expo Board of Advisors.

 

Associate Director of Pharmacy, NYCHHC

 

Vincent Giambanco is the Associate Director of Pharmacy at New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation.  In this role, he is responsible for Operations and Procurement.  Previously he has served as Pharmacy Director, Procurement Services and Contracts at NYCHHC where he oversaw the management of Operational Contracts and Procurement for 22 facilities.  Prior to joining NYCHHC, he was the Director of Pharmacy at Southampton Hospital.  He holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and an M.S. in Hospital Pharmacy Administration.   He is a member of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists and the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists.  He is a past Board Member of the New York State Council of Hospital Pharmacists.

 

Partner, HealthCare Links

Maria Hames joined HealthCare Links in March 1991. She has 20 years of experience in the healthcare market. Her background includes working with companies in senior management roles in the arena of healthcare corporate development and national sales management. Ms. Hames has been involved in start-up and acquisition, operational/sales management, strategic planning, accreditation, practice management, managed care contracting and risk contracting. As a partner in HealthCare Links, her responsibilities include IDN sales and contract implementation on behalf of HealthCare Links’ clients. She simplifies very complex sales processes at some of the largest healthcare organizations in the country. More importantly, her relationships are built on trust with a sincere desire to see all parties benefit. Her educational experience includes a Bachelors Degree from the University of Michigan and a Master’s Degree in business management from Pepperdine University.

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer, Beaumont Health

 

Ed Hardin has worked nearly 20 years serving the healthcare provider industry and today is Senior Vice President & Chief Supply Chain Officer at Beaumont Health.  He previously served as System Vice President, Supply Chain Management, for CHRISTUS Health. Prior to this position, he served as Vice President, Collaborative & Organizational Development for ROi, the supply chain operating division of Mercy Health System. Prior to joining ROi/Mercy, Mr. Hardin worked with several professional services firms, including Alvarez & Marsal, Deloitte Consulting and Ernst & Young, where he specialized in supply chain performance improvement and management solutions for the healthcare provider industry. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Westminster College (Fulton, Missouri) and a Master’s Degree in healthcare administration from Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis). He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, a Certified Materials & Resource Professional, and President of the St. Louis chapter of AHRMM.

 

RANDY HAYAS, CMRP

Chief Supply Chain Officer, Orlando Health

 

SVP and Associate Chief Medical Officer, Beaumont Health

 

Malcolm Henoch, M.D. is senior vice president and associate chief medical officer, acute care at Beaumont Health.  In this role,

Dr. Henoch is responsible for promoting excellence in clinical care at all Beaumont Health acute care hospitals.  He comes to Beaumont Health from Oakwood, where he served as senior vice president and chief medical officer.  He has provided executive leadership in clinical and medical staff affairs, graduate medical education, clinical strategic direction, and physician leadership development.  He has also been chairman of Oakwood Physicians, providing leadership in the governance of that physician group practice.  He is a member of the Beaumont Health board and is chairman of Oakwood Assurance Corporation.  Prior to his position with Oakwood, Dr. Henoch served as president and CEO of University Mednet, a large multi-specialty physician group operating as a unit of University Hospitals Health System in Cleveland, OH.  Board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine, Dr. Henoch holds a Master of Business Administration from Case Western Reserve University and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Maryland.

 

Vice President, Materiel Management, Norton Healthcare

 

George Y. Hersch joined Norton Healthcare in October 2000 as vice president of materiel management.  He has system-wide responsibility for supply chain management including purchasing, distribution, the materiel management information system and technology assessment.  Hersch has 40 years of experience in health care materiel management.  Before joining Norton Healthcare, he was responsible for supply chain operations at UCLA Healthcare, Los Angeles, and at the Franciscan Health System, Philadelphia.  In 1998 during his tenure at UCLA, he developed a physician-peer review process to evaluate emerging medical technologies that remains a model program to this day.  He replicated the process at Norton Healthcare, legitimizing technology assessment as an important clinical/business process in both the academic medical center and community hospital environment.  Hersch holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University and a master’s degree in management (health care administration) from Central Michigan University.    Hersch is currently serving on the boards of: Central State Hospital and Wesley Manor. He is also the incoming chair of Premier’s Strategic Advisory Committee.

 

Director, Contracting & Resource Utilization-Purchased Services, Supply Chain Management, CHRISTUS Health 

 

Michael joined CHRISTUS Health in August 1994, after serving in United States Marine Corps.  His supply chain journey began at CHRISTUS Spohn region (Corpus Christi, TX) for 8 years.  He then transferred to the CHRSITUS Gulf Coast region (Houston, TX) for 10 years, and has been with CHRISTUS System Supply Chain for the past 5 years. During his career, experiences include procurement, contracting, inventory management, value analysis and MM operations and logistics.  In his current role, he provides overall direction, ongoing management, and development of the Purchased Services program for CHRISTUS Health which includes over $450 million in annual spend.  The Contracting Purchased Service Lines are all purchased services related but not limited to Facilities Management, Clinical Engineering, Housekeeping, and Food Service.  Other top services include Managed Print Services, Integrated Waste Management, Dialysis Services, Linen and Laundry, Document storage, and Elevator Services.

 

Director of Pharmacy, UCSF Medical Center

 

Rita K. Jew, Pharm.D. MBA, FASHP received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from University of California at San Francisco (UCSF), completed an ASHP-Accredited Residency in Clinical Pharmacy at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and received her Master of Business Administration degree from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. She is Director of Pharmacy at UCSF Medical Center, Mission Bay campus where she oversees the robotic production facility and all clinical and operational activities of Pediatric Pharmacy Services at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. Prior to this, Dr. Jew spent 22 years serving in various leadership positions at two Children’s Hospitals. Her areas of expertise include neonatal drug therapy, drug use during ECMO, immunizations, extemporaneous compounding, medication safety, technology and automation and lean and its application in healthcare.

 

System Director of Supply Chain Contracts, Hospital Sisters Health System

 

 

Bonnie is a healthcare consultant with senior management experience in both the Pharmacy section of large corporate healthcare organizations and teaching hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry.  She has a particular interest in reimbursement issues, specialty pharmacy, and patient safety and in using technology to solve issues in each of these areas.  She has proven success in developing and managing national pharmaceutical programs and strong leadership skills with expertise in strategic planning, negotiating GPO contracts and clinical trial agreements, developing and executing quality assurance programs as well as marketing clinical services and drug therapy optimization.  Bonnie is a recognized industry leader in forging effective alliances between hospitals, physicians, pharmaceutical companies and distributors and has spoken extensively in these areas.

 

Director, Logistic Service Agreements, Supply Chain Management, Strategic Sourcing, Trinity Health

 

Jennifer is the Director of Strategic Sourcing overseeing the logistic service agreements pertaining to the Distribution center. This effort includes building a strategic partnership with suppliers based upon best practice and innovative supply chain solutions to maximize value and drive efficiencies.  Prior to Trinity Health, Jen led the deployment of Value Analysis at Oakwood Hospital focusing on cross-functional team collaboration and product specification as drivers. This program helped to increase profitability as well as bring speed to market.  Jen brings an extensive  background in medical device manufacturing, global sourcing and value analysis, which she acquired from her previous roles at Danaher Corporation's Metrex Research and TRW Automotive.

 

Value Analysis Nurse, Highland Hospital - University of Rochester

 

Susan has been the Value Analysis nurse for University of Rochester - Highland Hospital since the position was introduced over 10 years ago.  Prior to that she was an emergency nurse for over 26 years which included nurse manager for the Emergency Department.  Over time she has also added emergency preparedness to her duties.  She has worked to create and constantly enhance a comprehensive value analysis program for her facility and share that with other professionals. She is 2017 President of the Association of Healthcare Value Analysis Professionals (AHVAP) and active participant on the AHVAP Annual Conference and Supplier Showcase. 

 

Principal and Co-founder, Insurance Point

 

Ed Kuklenski has over 33 years of experience in the health care industry. In 1980, he began his career with American Hospital Supply, subsequently Baxter, Inc., where he served in various sales, operations and sales management positions. In 1989, he joined Child Health Corporation of America (CHCA)where he served as the Senior Vice President of Shareholder Services. During his tenure with CHCA, he was responsible for overseeing CHCA’s group purchasing, business development and insurance operations. In 2006, Ed joined Suture Express where he served as President, CEO and Executive Chairman until July, 2013. Currently, Ed is a Principal and Board Member of Insurance Point. Ed also serves on the Board of Directors of Accuhealth, BloxR, Medspeed, PT-Solutions and StatLab.

 

Sourcing Manager, Intermountain Healthcare

 

Rob Kurtz is a Sourcing Manager at Intermountain Healthcare. He has 15 years of supply chain experience, including 10 years in the health care field that includes hospital and supply chain operations. In his current role, Rob provides his stakeholders with supply chain analytical support specific to the perioperative service lines.  Rob earned his undergraduate degree in Business Management from Utah Valley University and an MBA with emphasis in hospital administration from Western Governors University. Rob holds a CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) certification from the Institute for Supply Management.   Rob makes his home in Lehi, Utah with his wife Dani and their two children Bronson and Alaina. In addition to spending time with family, he enjoys spending time in the many beautiful landscapes that Utah provides. 

 

Engagement Manager, McKinsey & Company

 

Sharat Kusuma is a board certified and fellowship trained orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon as well as an engagement manager at McKinsey & Company in the healthcare provider, payor, pharma, and medtech space.  He has had the opportunity to work deeply in nearly all areas of healthcare (payors, providers, pharma and medtech vendors, and academia).  He has been involved in academic orthopaedic surgery for 14 years, and has had the opportunity to participate in clinical areas such FDA IDE studies, implant design, clinical protocol development, and clinical research.  Additionally, he has worked closely as a surgeon consultant with several major orthopaedic implant manufacturers on sales, marketing, surgeon training, and implant development.  Previously he was a clinical and research director of a large total joint replacement service at a 700 bed hospital, running an active clinical practice of 400+ surgeries per year.  He studied medicine and business at Vanderbilt University, and completed orthopaedic surgery training at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, and Queens Medical Centre in the United Kingdom. 

 

Sr. Manager of Value Analysis, UPMC Health System

 

Robin Lane has been a healthcare professional for more than 30 years.  In her current position as Senior Manager of Value Analysis, she helped to create and implement a system wide Value Analysis Program for the UPMC Health System, developing approximately 30 system value analysis teams, a technology review committee and implementing a product recall system.  Prior to her career in Supply Chain, Robin led the surgical services department of a system hospital managing four integrated departments and services.  Robin is one of the inaugural recipients of certification (CVAHP) from AHVAP in October 2015, and currently serves as the AHVAP President elect and Membership Committee co-chair.

 

Vice President, HC Pharmacy and SCM Commercial Services, UPMC/Pensiamo

 

As Vice President of HC Pharmacy and Supply Chain Management (SCM) Commercial Services at UPMC, Dr. Mary Beth Lang is responsible for HC Pharmacy Central, Inc., a for-profit membership corporation and group purchasing organization that annually distributes $860 million in pharmaceuticals on behalf of its members.  Prior to joining UPMC, Dr. Lang was President of Diagnostix at Amerinet and a Pharmacy Manager for the UPMC.  Dr. Lang was a leader in the GS1 healthcare standards adoption efforts and served on the GS1 US Healthcare Leadership Committee.  Dr. Lang holds a BS in Pharmacy from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master's of Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a Doctorate of Science to Information Systems and Communications from Robert Morris University.

 

System VP Supply Chain, Ochsner Health System

 

Michael Louviere joined the Ochsner Health System in May 2012 as system vice president of supply chain.  Michael is a recognized international speaker and author in the field of healthcare materials management and pharmacy.  Prior to joining Ochsner, Michael was the vice president of supply chain at Baptist Health System.  Key activities included leveraging the system for improved product quality and improved supply chain.  Michael is a recognized international speaker and author in the field of healthcare materials management and pharmacy.  BHS materials departments received the 2006 Healthcare Purchasing News Department of the Year Award.  Michael completed GE leadership essentials, BSA woodbadge training, and has earned DTM status with Toastmasters International.

 

Vice President of Strategic Sourcing, Premier, Inc.

 

Vice President, Sourcing, Purchasing, and Value Analysis, Beaumont Health System

 

Bill Martin currently serves as Vice President, Sourcing, Purchasing and Value Analysis for Beaumont Health System, one of the largest, medical and academic teaching institutions in the United States with over 1700 patient beds, 3700 physicians, 37 medical specialties, and fourteen thousand associates.   In this role, he is responsible for providing corporate leadership of Beaumont Health’s contracting, purchasing, and value analysis functions related to $756M in supplies and $400M in purchased services spend.  Prior to coming to Beaumont, Mr. Martin served as Vice President of contracting and value analysis for Ascension Health.  He also served as the Director of Pharmacy for large metropolitan hospitals in Detroit and Las Vegas, as well as an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy for the University of Houston.  He received his Bachelor of Science and Doctorate from Waye State University in Detroit, MI.  He is a published author and speaker on topics of clinical pharmacy, the NASA space station program, and supply chain.

 

Healthcare Value Analysis Consultant, AHVAP

 

 

Physician Advisor, Supply Chain, Virginia Mason Medical Center

 

Dr. Moonka received her medical degree from Temple University and went on to complete residencies in both anesthesia and pediatrics at New York University Medical Center. After practicing medicine for over 25 years within the hospital and surgery center environments, she joined Virginia Mason as the supply chain Physician Advisor in 2012.    Dr. Moonka currently provides expertise and experience in the areas of:  Physician engagement to implement PPI (physician preference item) supply standardization, Supplier PPI negotiations, implementing and maintaining a value analysis process as well as new technology analysis, and Understanding of system-based thinking as well as the Virginia Mason Production System (VMPS) and the Toyota Production System-based process improvement program.

 

Vice President of Supply Chain Management, Indiana University Health

 

Dennis Mullins, MBA, CMRP, joined Indiana University Health as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Operations in May of 2015. Prior to IU Health, Dennis was at Baylor Scott and White Health in Dallas, Texas, where he led a large supply chain team as their Corporate Director of Supply Chain Integration. He also previously served in Supply Chain roles at Shands at The University of Florida and HCA Healthcare, among other organizations. Additionally, he honorably served in the United States Air Force for 10 years as a medical materials specialist.  Dennis is a seasoned healthcare professional with more than 30 years of supply chain experience as an effective leader along with a proven ability to meet and exceed strategic supply chain goals. He holds an MBA from Amberton University and he is a candidate for a doctorate in business administration from Grand Canyon University.

 

CEO, Yankee Alliance

 

Jim Oliver has been with Yankee Alliance since 1989, joining the organization as its 5th employee serving as the Director of Materiel and Distribution Services.  Jim served in a number of positions becoming the President and CEO in 2008.  He has overseen the organization as it has grown to 14,500 members located in all 50 states.  Yankee Alliance members buy $3.5 billion in products and services through the Yankee contract portfolio.  Jim began his healthcare career as a Management Engineer with the Massachusetts Hospital Association.  Prior to joining Yankee he was the Director of Materiel Management at University Hospital in Boston and Miriam hospital in Providence, RI.  Jim has an MBA from Suffolk University in Boston.  He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Engineering from the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston.  Jim has served on numerous committees assisting in developing strategies and services for Premier, Inc.  During his time with Premier, he has served as Chairman of the Laboratory Committee and the Strategic Advisory Committee.  He currently serves on the Member Value Improvement Committee for Premier.

 

Chief Executive Officer, ecfirst

 

Chief Pharmacy Officer, Community AiDS Network

 

Rishi Patel is a highly academically prepared and entrepreneurial pharmaceutical professional holding a Doctorate of Pharmacy, a Masters Degree in Business Administration, and a Bachelors Degree in Microbiology with 15 years of experience and expertise in pharmacy services management. He is accomplished and experienced in cultivating a flourishing multi-million dollar business start-up, maintaining excellent customer relations, and implementing staff training.   His leadership includes organizational acumen and team building strengths.  He has a proven history of creating new market management strategies and retains a loyal customer base. He is proven successful in planning, executing, and directing operations while holding total responsibility for outcome. Rishi is proficient in the 340B Drug Discount Program and certified as a HIV Pharmacist through the American Academy of HIV Medicine.

 

Interim AVP of Supply Operations, Medstar Washington Hospital Center (Vizient, Inc. Contractor)

 

Steve Patton is the Interim AVP of Supply Operations at Medstar Washington Hospital Center.  Steve has more than 25 years’ progressive supply chain and operations leadership experience directing strategic process improvements and project management for multi-unit healthcare organizations.  He is an expert in the delivery of innovative business improvements and in transitioning organizations to current systems and technologies.  Prior to joining Medstar Washington, he was the Director of Supply Chain at Lakeland Regional Healthcare System.  Steve has an M.S. in Health Services Management from Webster University in St. Louis, MO and a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern Colorado.  He is the President of the SunCoast Chapter of AHRMM in Florida.

 

Vice President, Non-acute Contracting, Intalere

 

As vice president of non-acute contracting for Intalere, Randall (Randy) Piper is responsible for more than $3.2 billion of annual contract purchases across supplies, services, software, equipment and distribution. His responsibilities in this role include 
supplier relationship management, category management, strategic sourcing, contract management, purchasing and program management, and contract marketing. In addition, Piper also serves as vice president of Intalere Choice®, the preferred portfolio subsidiary of Intalere, for which he is responsible for over 150 supplier marketing and sales enhancement programs unique to the Intalere Choice portfolio of services.  Prior to joining Intalere, Piper held marketing and contracting strategy leadership roles at McKesson Medical Surgical, the largest NAC distributors in the industry. Previously, he led regional operations as general manager for Fortune 20 company Owens and Minor.  During his career, Piper has achieved success in many major initiatives. He executed an industry first, exclusive agreement for Intalere with the largest Home Medical Services organization in the United States, as well as initiated strategic contracts with key medicalsurgical distributors to remove cost from mutual member supply chain, introduce new products to market and create new revenue streams. He developed national supplier contracts throughout the United States representing more than $250 million in annual purchases. In addition, Piper successfully implemented low unit-of-measure distribution programs to support a large integrated delivery network in central Kansas, and managed the construction of a new medical-surgical distribution center in the midwest, shipping $100 million in critical supplies to healthcare customers annually.

 

Senior Manager, Nexera, Inc.

 

Kenneth Scher has an extensive background in end-to-end supply chain operations, technology, and perioperative services business operations. He provides strategic supply chain and financial advisory assistance to healthcare organizations aimed at growing business performance, technology utilization, and fiscal stability. Mr. Scher has been involved in multiple client engagements and has built a reputation as an effective, innovative leader. He currently oversees initiatives for Nexera’s performance improvement and technology optimization services, and manages supply chain consulting engagements. In providing advisory services to a wide array of facility types, Mr. Scher has created integrated performance improvement solutions to identify and implement sustainable results as well as comprehensive strategies to increase supply chain efficiency, reduce costs, increase revenue, improve workflow processes, and accelerate cash. Prior to joining Nexera, Mr. Scher worked in non-healthcare-related supply chain businesses. He received his Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management and Marketing Management at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, with a sub-concentration in Public Communication Studies at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications–Syracuse University. He has been published in Becker’s Hospital Review and by the Healthcare Financial Management Association. He is also a Certified Materials and Resource Professional through the American Hospital Association.

 

Director of Performance Groups, Premier, Inc.

 

Vice President, Pharmacy Services, Ochsner Health System

 

As Vice President of Pharmacy Services for Ochsner Health System, Dr. Simonson has responsibility for the strategic vision, long term planning, direction and overall accountability for pharmacy services across the system. She joined Ochsner in 1981 and has built the pharmacy program to include clinical services, education/academics, research, retail services, specialty pharmacy, population management, transitions of care, informatics, regulatory compliance, medication safety, logistics, and digital medicine support. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Xavier University of Louisiana.  Dr. Simonson started her career with the Public Health Service. She has held many leadership roles with pharmacy associations and boards over the years. She has been a member of the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy and was named in the City Business's 2015 Women of the Year.
 

COO, Fairview Pharmacy Services

 

Command Surgeon, National Defense University

 

Dr. Hassan A. Tetteh is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, adjunct faculty at Howard University College of Medicine, and served as Division Lead for Futures and Innovation at Navy Medicine’s Headquarters, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. He was a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow from 2012-13, assigned to the U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, (CBO), and served as Assistant Deputy Commander for Healthcare Operations and Strategic Planning at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center during its integration. His clinical work includes cardiovascular disease management, heart failure surgery, and heart and lung transplantation. He led Thoracic Transplantation Procurement and Research for the INOVA Health System Heart and Lung Transplant Program in Virginia and currently serves as a staff Thoracic Surgeon for the MedStar Health System. Tetteh is an Alley Sheridan Award recipient from the Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education.  Tetteh served as Ship’s Surgeon and Director of Surgical Services for the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) battle group in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM in 2005. In 2011, he deployed as a trauma surgeon to Afghanistan’s Helmand and Nimroz provinces in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM with 2nd Marine Expeditionary Forces, and has supported special joint forces missions to South America, the Middle East, the South Pacific, Australia, and Africa. He earned both the Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer and Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officer designations, and his military honors include two Meritorious Service Medals. Tetteh is author of the novel Gifts of the Heart and has published articles on surgical innovation, health information technology, ethics, wounded warriors, and process improvement. He also serves on the board of directors for the Brooklyn, New York based Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health and Fayetteville, Arkansas based Champions for Kids, a nonprofit that mobilizes people to improve the lives of millions of children.  At the CBO, as a Visiting Scholar with the Health, Retirement, and Long-Term Analysis Division, Tetteh provided a clinical perspective, working with different teams of analysts on a variety of health policy projects. Specifically, he contributed to studies related to the changing cost of chronic conditions, the costs of obesity and their effects on the federal budget, supply-side 
modeling of health workforce issues, and the impact of health information technology on the federal budget. He also analyzed policy proposals aimed at achieving savings in Medicare.  A native of Brooklyn, New York, Tetteh received his B.S. from State University of New York (SUNY) at Plattsburgh, his M.D. from SUNY Downstate Medical Center, his M.P.A. from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School. He completed his thoracic surgery fellowship at the University of Minnesota and advanced cardiac surgery fellowship at Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Tetteh is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management, board certified in thoracic surgery, general surgery, clinical informatics, and healthcare management, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

 

Vice President of Operations, Children's Hospital Boston

 

Henry Tomasuolo is the vice president of operations at Children’s Hospital Boston, a 397-bed comprehensive center for pediatric healthcare. As one of the largest pediatric medical centers in the United States, Children's offers a complete range of healthcare services for children from birth through 21 years of age and is also home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center.Mr. Tomasuolo has 22 years of healthcare management experience and his responsibilities at Children’s include supply chain management, environmental services, food service, security, parking and environmental safety. Prior to joining Children’s Hospital in 2006, Mr. Tomasuolo was the vice president for supply chain management at Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Centers of New York  (SVCMC), where he led the successful integration of the supply chain functions at the inception of the IDN . At SVCMC, Mr. Tomasuolo spearheaded expense reduction projects that resulted in savings in excess of $137 million over five years.  Mr. Tomasuolo chaired the Greater New York Hospital Association’s Regional Advisory Council, an organization representing the supply chain leadership of the largest and most influential medical centers in the New York metropolitan area. Mr. Tomasuolo has a Bachelors Degree in economics from Columbia University and is a fellow at the Marschall Institute.

 

EVP of Operations, Pensiamo

 

Director of Purchasing, Supplier Diversity and Integration, Supply Chain​, Palmetto Health

 

Leadership Coach, Solutions Strategist, Lisa Williams Coaching

 

Senior Vice President, CHC Supply Trust

 

Tony Ybarra serves as Senior Vice President, CHC Supply Trust. In this role he manages initiatives to develop and implement comprehensive supply chain management strategies on a company-wide basis and ensures that quality-based initiatives are implemented in order to gain the greatest value from CHC’s supply expenditures and resource utilization.  He provides services to owned, managed and consulting clients in the area of supply chain. He also establishes and implements strategies aimed at improving CHC’s procurement activities on a consolidated basis by selecting and negotiating agreements for supplies, pharmaceuticals, equipment and services. Tony has over 30 years of materials management experience in the healthcare industry.  Prior to joining CHC in 2007, Tony managed a corporate materials management department that serviced surgical hospitals and surgery centers nationwide. He also has extensive materials management and operational leadership experience working within multi-hospital health systems, large physician groups and individual physician practices. Tony brings to the team an expertise in procurement, negotiation and material controls.  Tony is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles. Tony is an active member of the Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM) and The Council of Supply Chain Executives. He is a Certified Materials & Resource Professional.