Today’s CEOs are facing more challenges than ever, as demonstrated by the two-decade high in turnover for healthcare CEOs, instability in the global (and national) economy, and an increasingly competitive and rapidly changing post-pandemic health and human service. Despite these pressing challenges, there are key directional trends in the field that are known— such as integrated care models, payviders, retail health care and consumerism, reimbursement tied to performance, price sensitivity, and the end of the public health emergency.
For executives, envisioning the opportunities and future market positioning in the ever-evolving landscape will be a key leadership competency and a critical piece of organizational success. The OPEN MINDS Chief Executive Officer Learning Path was created to equip today’s CEOs with the critical skills and competencies needed to embrace current challenges, make informed decisions, and lead their organizations into the future with confidence.
View featured courses and sessions below to get started!
Creating & Enhancing Service Lines: The 2025 OPEN MINDS Executive Seminar On Developing A Winning Growth Strategy
In the current environment of changing consumer expectations and new financial models, two essential skills that all executives need to master are the ability to evaluate and modify existing service lines as well as the ability to develop new services to meet the changes in the evolving market.
In this revamped seminar, OPEN MINDS industry experts Ray Wolfe and Joe Naughton-Travers will break down the process of evaluating current service lines to help answer the questions, which ones should you keep, invest in or curtail? They will also discuss the details of the finances, legacy and compliance issues that come with enhancing the service lines you already have. In addition, they’ll review real-world case studies, and the tools used in the analysis to help create a budget for new service lines, the understanding of reimbursement rates, and the units of service and staffing needed to help organizations decide if this is a viable option.
Attendees will take away:
- Service line portfolio analysis best practices
- The tools needed to analyze current and new service lines
- Real world examples of new service line development and decision making from successful organizations
Ray Wolfe, J.D.
Raymond “Ray” Wolfe, J.D. brings over 40 years of experience in the health and human services sector to the OPEN MINDS team. Mr. Wolfe currently serves as a Senior Associate, a position in which he utilizes his expertise to successfully lead varying projects for OPEN MINDS. His areas of expertise include financial analysis and management, mergers and acquisitions, performance improvement, and strategic planning.
Before joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Wolfe served in a 22 year tenure with Pittsburgh Mercy Health System in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most recently, Mr. Wolfe served as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) where he was responsible for oversight of all system operations, strategic planning, and performance management. Under his direction Pittsburgh Mercy achieved over $850K in value-based reimbursement contract quality bonus awards, integrated three organizations through merger/acquisition, and adopted a new performance management program for managers.
Before acting as Pittsburgh Mercy’s COO, Mr. Wolfe served as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and was responsible for the development of internal costing methodologies, contract rate negotiations, and financial forecasting activities. In addition, he coordinated an integrated care program with local partner hospitals to develop a series of diversion and respite programs, as well as, specialized primary care, integrated care management and high utilizer teams, while maintaining 15 straight years profitability.
Mr. Wolfe was promoted to CFO after serving as the Director of Fiscal and Information Security/Compliance for the health system. In this role, he was responsible for managing the transition of service contracts from fee-for-service (FFS), leading all compliance activities, and implementing a next generation electronic health record (EHR) system.
Prior to his time at Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, Mr. Wolfe served as Chief Fiscal Officer with the Summit Center for Human Development in Clarksburg, West Virginia, where he was responsible for reporting and budgeting functions and preparing Summit Center’s programs for FFS billing.
Previously, Mr. Wolfe served in billing and collections for two Pennsylvania-based hospitals. First, as an Accounts Receivables Manager for Brownsville General Hospital in Brownsville, PA, where he managed the accounting and billing system transition systems. Later as a Patient Account Manager for St. Francis Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA, where he improved collections to hit 95% rate through the implementation of new billing software and department reorganization.
Prior to working in the health and human services market, Mr. Wolfe spent five years practicing as a Lawyer with at Law Offices of Arch A. Moore in Moundsville, WV. In this role he provided general legal practice, created and established bylaws for multiple corporation, and handled West Virginia licensing of first vision insurance plan.
Mr. Wolfe earned his Juris Doctor from the West Virginia University School of Law in Morgantown, WV and his Bachelor’s degree with a focus in Political Science and Sociology from West Liberty University, in Wheeling, WV, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Joseph P. Naughton-Travers, EdM
Joseph P. Naughton-Travers, EdM, Senior Associate, has more than 30 years of experience in the health and human service field. In this tenure as senior associate with OPEN MINDS since 1998, he has served as lead of dozens of client initiatives, served as editor of OPEN MINDS publications, and is the author of many groundbreaking articles and presentations.
Mr. Naughton-Travers brings to OPEN MINDS a broad range of experiences in private and public sector delivery of behavioral health and social services. He started his career as a behavioral health clinician, working in both child welfare and community mental health clinic settings. Subsequently, Mr. Naughton-Travers held a senior business operations management position for a psychiatric hospital system and its community mental health clinics. Later, he was vice president of a firm specializing in information systems and billing and receivables management for community-based mental health programs.
Since joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Naughton-Travers has developed business solutions for provider and professional organizations, state and county government, technology companies, and venture capital firms. His primary areas of expertise include strategic planning and metrics-based management, electronic health record (EHR) and technology selection and implementation, operations improvement, and corporate compliance. For the past decade, over half his consulting practice has focused on aiding organizations in technology selection and implementation, including all aspects of strategic technology planning, functional specifications development, request for proposal development, vendor selection, and contracting.
He has written numerous articles, including “Winning the Human Resource Wars: Tried, True and New Strategies for Behavioral Health and Social Service Organizations,” “Five Pillars of Management Competency,” “Data Driven Decision Making: Moving to an Organizational Measurement Culture,” “Survival of the Smartest: What is Your Organization’s Information Literacy IQ?,” and “Strategic Human Resource Management: Aligning Compensation with Employee Performance and Organizational Strategy.” Mr. Naughton-Travers is also a nationally recognized speaker, having conducted hundreds of executive and professional executive training events around the nation.
Mr. Naughton-Travers received his Bachelor’s degree from Miami University of Ohio and his Masters’ of Education in Counseling Psychology from Boston University.
Having An Impact On Health Equity—Challenges, Opportunities & Inspiration
What is the future of measuring and managing health equity issues in the health and human service field? Karen Dale, the Market President at AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia provides insights into the challenges of assuring equity in access to and delivery of health care for all members. In her presentation, she will talk about the effects of lack of equity on the AmeriHealth plan performance and their new initiatives to measure and improve health equity among their members.
AmeriHealth Caritas is a national leader in health care solutions for complex consumers, currently serving approximately 5 million members in 13 states and the District of Columbia. In her tenure as Market President, Ms. Dale has been dedicated to improving health care service delivery and outcomes.
Karen Dale
Karen M. Dale is Market President for AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia, a mission-based Medicaid Managed Care Organization in Washington, D.C., and the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies. Her focus includes applying a health equity lens to impact all levels of policies, processes, decisions, laws, and outcomes for the communities AmeriHealth Caritas serves.
She also leads a decidedly metric-driven business approach to mobilize leaders and accelerate strategies to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion inside and outside the walls of AmeriHealth Caritas. As a result, opportunities for people to experience health, wholeness, and belonging are enhanced by addressing the social, economic, and environmental conditions that are drivers of poor health.
In addressing the landscape of needs among the nation’s vulnerable populations, Dale has cultivated a focus that has helped AmeriHealth Caritas concurrently innovate, while meeting the highest levels of quality and service. These efforts include the use of digital tools to aid in the management of chronic diseases, peer-to-peer outreach using community health workers and peer specialists, and the use of a human-centered member engagement approach.
Dale’s vision is notably reflected in key programs addressing Black maternal health, racism, housing, transportation, violence interruption, and food insecurity. In addition, her philosophy that health care must evolve into a health ecosystem that promotes wellness without barriers, starting where people are, has led to several collaborative relationships with providers, community partners, philanthropists, and businesses to implement sustainable, scalable solutions with high impact.
Her hobbies include gardening, creating healthy Caribbean recipes, traveling, and watching her son’s soccer games.
Housing As Health Care—Addressing The Housing & Homelessness Crisis With ACMH, Inc.
The link between health outcomes and homelessness or lack of affordable housing has not disappeared. With changes in federal policy on the horizon, gain an update on housing support services, opportunities for specialty health care providers serving these vulnerable populations, and innovative programs that are making it work. Hear from national experts and case studies of successful housing programs.
Discover the work of ACMH, Inc., a not-for-profit founded in 1973. They will discuss their housing programs with a rehabilitative focus licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health since 1979. ACMH, Inc. focuses on adults with serious mental health illnesses, equipping them with the skills they need for increased independence.
This session will discuss:
- Sources of funding for bricks and mortar, rental subsidies, and service delivery
- Best practice-supported housing models
- How states and specialty providers are operationalizing new housing service models through Medicaid
Daniel Johansson
With more than 4 decades of experience in behavioral health, Dan has been Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of ACMH, Inc. since 2003. He earned a B.A. from Columbia University in the City of New York and an M.Div. from the Seminario Evangélico de Puerto Rico. He is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and serves a parish in an immigrant community in Hudson County, New Jersey.
Evolving Best Practice Models In Whole Person Care For People With Cognitive Disabilities: A Panel Discussion
As we embark on times of great change, organizations must reflect on where they are on the journey to whole person care, and what their strategic vision for the future is. With challenges like funding for dual eligibles and complex care individuals, organizations are looking for ways to integrate care to ensure there is “no wrong door” when consumers are receiving services.
Join a panel of experts and hear how they are addressing these challenges by shifting to integrated care models and developing innovative programs in order to serve the most complex and costliest of consumers with great outcomes and cost-savings to the system.
During this session, attendees will hear:
- Advances in whole person care models for people with cognitive disabilities, including technology, staffing, and service models of care
- The legal, governance, and programmatic strategies when implementing a whole person care model
- Solutions to integrate whole person care strategies for a more holistic and impactful approach to service delivery
Tine Hansen-Turton, MGA/MPA, J.D., FCPP, FAAN
A seasoned Healthcare and Human Services Executive with 25 years of experience in C-suite executive leadership throughout her career in Nonprofit, Private, and Government Organizations, Tine Hansen-Turton is the President and CEO of Woods System of Care (WSOC). WSOC is a leading population health and advocacy organization in PA and NJ that provides life cycle care to meet the lifelong needs of children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A), acquired brain injuries, and /or mental health challenges who may also have complex medical and genetic conditions. She oversees 7500 staff that serves more than 52,000 individuals. Ms. Hansen-Turton also serves as the founding Executive Director and Administrator for the Convenient Care Association (CCA), the national trade association of over 3500 private-sector retail clinic industry, serving 40 million people with basic health care services across the country. Ms. Hansen-Turton formerly served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer at Public Health Management Corporation, where she oversaw and led corporate strategy, operations, business development, and M&A. Additionally, Ms. Hansen-Turton served as CEO of the National Nurse-led Care Consortium, a non-profit organization supporting the growth and development of over 500 nurse-managed and school health clinics. Ms. Hansen-Turton also teaches public and social innovations, leading nonprofits, health policy, and the social innovations lab at the University of Pennsylvania Fels Institute of Government and School of Nursing. Ms. Hansen-Turton is the founder and publisher of a social impact/innovation journal and has published eight books. She received her BA from Slippery Rock University, her Master of Government/Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania Fels Institute of Government, and her Juris Doctor from Temple University Beasley School of Law.
Simon Kimmelman
Simon Kimmelman, Esq., serves as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating and Legal Officer for the Woods System of Care. In his role as Chief Legal Officer, he heads up the Woods Legal Department and oversees all law-related matters for Woods, its affiliates, and related entities. As Chief Operating Officer, he is directly responsible for implementing the Woods Strategic Directions Plan and coordinating the Woods System of Care operations. Previously, he was a member of Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. and served as Managing Partner of the Firm’s Princeton, New Jersey office. Mr. Kimmelman’s practice was focused on business bankruptcy, health law, general corporate matters, and commercial litigation. He has represented major entities involved in many of the most significant Chapter 11 cases filed in New Jersey and several other jurisdictions. He served as the bankruptcy trustee for Kiwi International Airlines and John Z. DeLorean. He is admitted to the Bar in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and former Chair of the Bankruptcy Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association and the Lawyers’ Advisory Committee to the New Jersey Bankruptcy Court. In recognition of his contributions to the advancement of medicine and dental medicine, he has recently been elected a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Mr. Kimmelman has been involved in various charitable endeavors and most recently served as President of Har Sinai Temple in Pennington, New Jersey. He also served as a long-standing Member and Board Chair of the Woods Resources Board of Trustees. Mr. Kimmelman received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School.
Dr. Sailaja Musunuri
Dr. Sailaja Musunuri, MD, Executive Vice President of Integrative Medicine and Chief of Psychiatry. Dr. Musunuri is an accomplished physician, psychiatrist, and leader with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice, specializing in the care of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, autism, co-occurring psychiatric disorders, and other complex medical conditions. She currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Integrative Medicine and Chief of Psychiatry at Woods System of Care, where she is recognized for her exceptional leadership, innovative thinking, and ability to deliver results across diverse clinical settings. Double board-certified in both Adult and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Dr. Musunuri is known for her compassionate, high-quality care and her ability to think creatively, challenging conventional approaches to healthcare. Her leadership extends beyond clinical practice to include fostering key collaborations with nonprofit health organizations and pharmaceutical leaders, focusing on improving services and outcomes for individuals with intellectual disabilities. She has played a pivotal role in building trust and driving mission-critical initiatives within her organization. Dr. Musunuri is also the founder of the Mollie Woods Hare Center for Excellence in Neurodivergence – Intellectual Disability, Autism, and Mental Health, which serves as the training and dissemination hub for best practices in the field. In addition, she is an active Board Member of The Network: Toward Unity for Health (TUFH), a global non-state actor aligned with the World Health Organization. TUFH works to foster equitable, community-oriented health services and research globally, and Dr. Musunuri’s involvement further underscores her commitment to enhancing healthcare access for vulnerable populations. With her unique combination of clinical expertise, leadership, and global partnerships, Dr. Musunuri continues to drive forward the strategic goals of Woods System of Care, ensuring that individuals with disabilities receive the highest quality of care and support. Her connections across the U.S. and India are instrumental in developing new programs and partnerships aimed at improving services for people with disabilities in both regions.
Jeanne Marshall, M.Ed, MA, BCBA, LBA
Jeanne Marshall has been affiliated with the Easterseals Midwest organization since 1987 when she began volunteering and working as a classroom assistant. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a Master’s degree in Special Education in 1991. She served in a variety of program roles prior to becoming the Director of the Training Program in 1997. In 2004, Jeanne was appointed as Chief Program Officer for and continued in that role until 2024 when she was appointed President. In 2004, she completed a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from The University of Nevada and is a Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst. She also holds teaching certifications in Special Education for Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders.
Jeanne has served for more than 15 years as a surveyor for CARF International , a not for profit organization that reviews and grants accreditation for organizations providing services in the industry. She has served on the Board of Directors for St. Bridget of Kildare School, The Association for Aging With Developmental Disabilities, the Missouri Association for Behavior Analysis, and The Autism Collective. She currently serves on the Missouri Autism Commission and the Starling Board of Directors.
Tisha Jackson
Tisha Jackson is an experienced executive leader in healthcare operations, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at Abound Health. In this role, Tisha is responsible for leading operational strategies, ensuring quality and compliance, and fostering innovation.
Previously, as a Novant Health leader, she was responsible for both ambulatory and acute facility neuroscience programming. Tisha holds a Master of Science in Health Administration from Louisiana State University at Shreveport and is dedicated to advancing quality outcomes in healthcare.
An Update On Innovative New Programs At Elevance Health, Evernorth & Mercy Care: A Roundtable
Join our payer panel to hear the latest in innovative programs that top health plan industries are implementing today. This series will feature different payers from across the nation at each 2025 event.
Tad Gary
Tad Gary is the CEO of Mercy Care, an Arizona-based managed care organization serving more than 475,000 Medicaid and Medicare members under six governmental contracts. These include AHCCCS Complete Care, Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), Regional Behavioral Health Authority for Maricopa County, Developmentally Disabled, Department of Child Safety Comprehensive Health Plan (DCS CHP), and Medicare Dual SNP contracts.
As CEO, Tad is responsible for all health plan activities for all product lines. He also supports all Mercy Care business development and implementation efforts throughout Arizona.
Tad has held multiple leadership roles during his more than 20-year career in health care and social services. Tad is a member of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Board and a Trustee of the Vitalyst Health Foundation. He was also appointed to the State of Arizona Opioid Review Council and to the Phoenix Police Review and Implementation Ad Hoc Committee. Tad is the former president of the Arizona Counselors Association and former President of the Institute for Mental Health Research EpiCenter, serving adolescents experiencing their first episodes of psychosis.
He earned his master’s degrees in counseling and education and has completed executive education in finance and accounting from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
David Lederman
Dave Lederman is currently a Senior Product Manager at Elevance Health. In his 2nd year at Elevance Health, Dave’s role is focused on developing strategies to expand access to behavioral health and substance use care in the commercial space. This work comes with an opportunity to shape Elevance Health product offerings when it comes to member experience, client reporting, and provider and vendor relationships.
Dave earned a Bachelors Degree from Tel-Aviv University in 2007, and a Masters Degree in Business Management with a focus on Health Sector Management from the Temple University at Philadelphia in 2013. Prior to getting his graduate degree, he worked at Columbia University on a behavioral health and substance use study identifying the impact of genetic and environmental effect on behavioral health and substance use. After graduating from Temple University, Dave worked as a business consultant at telehealth and remote monitoring start up. Dave transitioned to lead projects at a Behavior Health Analytics start-up, identifying ways to drive members to seek care for chronic conditions and co-morbidities.
Douglas Nemecek, M.D., MBA
Dr. Doug Nemecek is the chief medical executive for behavioral health quality, integration, and clinical operations. He helps ensure network access and availability, patient safety, compliance with clinical guidelines, customer and provider satisfaction, and utilization management. Additionally, he works directly with customers and clients to mold operations and provides clinical expertise in new and existing behavioral health and integrated program development. Additionally, he continues to develop unique relationships with our network providers to ensure our customers and providers achieve optimal total health outcomes.
Dr. Nemecek currently serves on the Board of the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness. He also serves on the Scientific Board for Shatterproof, a national non-profit organization dedicated to ending the devastation that addiction causes families.
Emerging Markets In Behavioral Health Crisis Systems From Affiliated Sante Group & Recovery Innovations
Behavioral health crisis response programs are continuing to improve the access issues consumers have experienced in recent years, such as inadequate provider availability, limited transportation options, and long wait times for appointments. In addition, crisis response programs keep consumers from needing to go to emergency rooms, therefore reducing costs.
Hear how Affiliated Sante Group, a behavioral health pioneer located in Maryland and North Carolina, with over 40 years in mental health and crisis delivery services, is creating a behavioral health crisis system of care. Their innovative programs include the use of FCC-approved geo routing, peer and licensed professional mobile crisis teams, crisis intervention training with law enforcement and first responders, and school intervention services.
Then hear from Recovery Innovations, a global organization with over 50 mental health and substance use crisis programs located throughout the United States and abroad, on their use of the Crisis Now model for crisis stabilization with a focus on trauma-informed care and the use of peer supports.
Back by popular demand, this session features specialty crisis service providers with different approaches and delivering different levels of crisis care within their community.
Key takeaways include:
- Learn the core components of an evidenced-based crisis delivery system
- Understand key trends in federal and state financing of crisis delivery systems
- Discover innovative approaches to adding crisis models for organizational growth
Michelle Grigsby-Hackett, LCPC, CPRP
Michelle is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit behavioral health sector. As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP), she brings a wealth of expertise to her work in clinical practice, executive coaching, and nonprofit business development. Michelle has a strong focus on enhancing mental health services and guiding leadership teams toward greater impact.
A recognized speaker and thought leader in behavioral health and minority leadership, Michelle is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, through which she continues her commitment to community service.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Argosy University. Her career has been dedicated to supporting individuals and families facing mental health challenges, substance use, and behavioral health crises.
As the first African American and woman to lead the organization, Michelle is committed to understanding community needs and forging partnerships with state and local stakeholders to address the growing demands of individuals living with behavioral health conditions and those in crisis.
Elizabeth Jones
Ms. Jones has a wealth of experience database design, configuration, and reporting. She started out in 1999 building databases in 1999 for small non-profit organizations to assist in synthesizing donor contribution records and fundraising practices. Since then, she has provided database system administration for multiple systems across multiple nonprofit sectors.
In addition to database configuration and management, Ms. Jones has used her love of writing and passion for public health in the development arena and has been the team lead for over 150 grant proposals and applications and has assisted in securing more than 16 million dollars’ worth of grant funding in the last 15 years.
Ms. Jones has been working with the Affiliated Santé Group (Santé) since 2006. She has a wealth of crisis system and behavioral health program support experience including program design, project management, proposal development, and data and reporting. As the Director of Advancement for Santé, she is responsible for configuring, supporting, and training three separate data systems overseeing proposal development and project coordination. She specializes particularly in crisis metrics and has participated in both local and State Crisis Metric workgroups and advisory sessions.
Ms. Jones is currently pursuing her Masters of Public Health through the Milken Institute with George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She is committed to effecting positive change through data-driven service enhancement, effective data analytics, and person-centered approaches to documentation and system design.
David Covington, LPC, MBA
David W. Covington, LPC, MBA is a behavioral health innovator, entrepreneur, and storyteller. He is CEO and President of Recovery Innovations, manager partner in Behavioral Health Link and producer of the Moving America’s Soul on Suicide documentary film series. David also hosts and curates the popular weekly 988 “Crisis Jam” Learning Community with SAMHSA and NASMHPD and Lifelines: The 988 Podcast with Dr. John Draper.
The Monarch Whole Person Care Model: A Lunch & Learn Session
Blake Martin, MHA
Blake Martin, MHA, serves as Monarch’s President. Under the direction of Chief Executive Officer Dr. Peggy Terhune, Blake leads the organization’s strategic planning efforts, build and maintain relationships with state and national policymakers and oversee operations of key business units, enabling the company to continue as well as expand the delivery of exceptional care across all services.
As President, Blake is directly responsible for identifying and developing strategic opportunities and maintaining relationships with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, statewide local management entities and managed care organizations (LME/MCOs), social services agencies, licensing agencies and the people and families Monarch supports, among other key stakeholders.
Blake brings extensive experience in health care administration, operational oversight and fiscal management, having most recently served as Monarch’s Chief Strategy Officer, where he led the development and implementation of a new five-year strategic plan. He holds both a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree and a bachelor’s degree from Pfeiffer University. He also serves as a member of Pfeiffer University’s Board of Trustees.
Advancing Integrated Care & Service Delivery Through The Use Of Technology: The Cityblock Health & Daymark Recovery Services Case Studies
Advances in integrated behavioral health care represent a transformative shift in the delivery of mental health services. These innovations offer more accessible, personalized, and timely care for individuals.
Join Cityblock Health, a leader in filling gaps in care with programs like 24/7 virtual and in-home urgent care. Cityblock is located in six states and is focused not only on medical and mental health care but in addressing social determinants of health for members who face social and economic issues.
Then hear from Daymark Recovery Services, an organization offering inpatient and outpatient behavioral health and addiction treatment services, on how they’re using data tracking and analysis to identify gaps in care and create an integrated care system.
In this session, attendees will hear:
- The benefits of these advances in enhancing patient outcomes, reducing barriers to care, and promoting continuous integrated care
- How digital platforms enable real-time monitoring of mental health and data-driven interventions, leading to more efficient and accessible treatment.
Christine Greimann, MSN, RN, CPNP
Christine Greimann, MSN, RN, CPNP is a seasoned healthcare leader with deep expertise in value-based care, clinical integration, and strategic partnerships. She currently serves as Vice President of Growth at Cityblock Health, where she is advancing innovative models of integrated community-based care delivery. Prior to Cityblock, Christine spent over eight years at DispatchHealth, with leadership roles focused on building scalable care models that align clinical operations with value-based contracting. Christine’s earlier career includes strategic roles at Aetna and frontline clinical experience as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, bringing a unique blend of clinical acumen and business strategy. She also serves as an advisor to Fresh Food Connect, working to build a more resilient food system by connecting gardeners and hunger relief organizations.
Findings Of The 2025 OPEN MINDS National Innovation Survey: How Specialty Providers Are Moving Innovation To Action
“Innovation” means novel ideas that can be transformed into services that generate value for customers, payers, and providers. Each year OPEN MINDS conducts a comprehensive survey of provider organizations to uncover which innovations are having the greatest impact in the field and are helping organizations gain a competitive advantage. The survey examines the leading program and service innovations— from readmission prevention programs and eCBT to Community Outreach Workers – and compares trends in adoption to prior years.
This session will also feature case studies by organizations that embraced innovation and put it into practice, examining how the idea was selected, how it operates, who pays for it, and lessons learned along the way. Including:
- Implementing First Episode Psychosis Services with Journey Mental Health Center of Madison, WI
- Addressing urgent behavioral health needs through crisis observation/stabilization centers with Connections Health Solutions of Harrisburg, PA
Join OPEN MINDS and our guests for this in-depth examination of how innovative ideas make it to market.
Courtney Sanchez, MBA, MHA
Courtney Sanchez is passionate about expanding access to high-quality behavioral health care and creating meaningful partnerships that drive real change. As the Director of Partnerships at Connections Health Solutions, she works closely with communities, health plans, and government agencies to develop innovative crisis intervention and stabilization services that meet people where they are in their time of need. With a background in business development and healthcare administration, Courtney brings both strategic expertise and a deep commitment to improving behavioral health systems across the country.
With more than a decade of experience in behavioral health operations, Courtney has played a key role in launching crisis stabilization centers, including the Emergency Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-In Center in Harrisburg, PA, and the upcoming crisis walk-in center in Montgomery County, PA. Her ability to bridge the gap between policy, operations, and community needs makes her a trusted leader in the field.
Beyond her professional work, Courtney is actively engaged in community advocacy and governmental affairs, ensuring behavioral health services remain a priority at the local and state levels. She is dedicated to building strong partnerships that make a lasting impact on individuals, families, and communities.
Tyson Rittenmeyer LPC, MT-BC
Sawyer Smith, MA, LPC
Sawyer is a Licensed Professional Counselor and manager of Promoting Recovery from Onset of Psychosis (PROPs) Program in Madison, Wisconsin that works with individuals experiencing their First Episode of Psychosis (FEP). He has worked within the program for over 2 years, filling multiple roles as a program coordinator, team leader, and manager on the team. Sawyer brings a dual focus of clinical expertise and business to the table as he also holds an MBA in Accounting and Finance. Sawyer is dedicated to developing and growing programs like PROPs to provide specialized care to individuals experiencing their first episode of psychosis, striving to improve outcomes through a holistic and coordinated approach.
Uncovering The Challenges & Opportunities For Reimbursement: A Payer Panel
Join our expert payer panel as they delve into the complexities of reimbursement in the Autism and I/DD market. This session will explore the key challenges and emerging opportunities for payers, providers, and stakeholders navigating this landscape. Panelists will share insights on policy changes, funding models, and innovative solutions that can help ensure accessible and effective care for the autism and I/DD populations. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how reimbursement strategies can drive improvements in care and outcomes for these complex consumers.
David Donohue, MBA
David Donohue is the Market President of CareSource’s Arkansas Market, CareSource PASSETM. Prior to joining CareSource, David served as the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Medicaid plan with WellSense Health Plan, where he led state operations. David’s dedication to Arkansas extends back to the launch of the Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity.
David has extensive experience working with people with complex needs, including individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and those with significant Behavioral Health challenges.
His passion for these populations is rooted in working for and with fee-for-service providers of services as well as hospital systems and provider practices.
He has also supported the launch of managed care programs for both traditional and complex populations across the country. His previous work includes helping to develop specialized programs for people with Intellectual and Development Disabilities, Crisis Programs, and Value-Based arrangements for a variety of provider-types.
Community involvement is a priority for David, and he regularly supports organizations focused on eliminating food insecurity and improving health equity.
David holds a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from Ball State University and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University.
David Rogers
David Rogers is the President of Independent Living Systems (ILS) and a seasoned leader with more than 30 years of healthcare experience in both the public and private sectors. As President of ILS, Rogers is responsible for day-to-day management of the internal operations of the company as well as execution of strategies to optimize people, process, and technology across the enterprise and to continue to advance ILS as a driving force in healthcare innovation.
Prior to being named President of ILS in 2020, Rogers joined Florida Community Care (FCC), a subsidiary of ILS, as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer in 2018. Before assuming his role at FCC, Rogers was Managing Principal of Health Management Associates (HMA) Medicaid Market Solutions where he advised and supported state agencies, health systems, health plans, and others. Rogers served as Assistant Deputy Secretary for Medicaid Operations, functioning as the Florida’s Medicaid program’s Chief Operations Officer. He has also served as Idaho’s State Medicaid Director.
David earned his Bachelor’s degree and Graduate Certificate in Health Services Administration and Public Policy from Florida State University.
Innovations in Medicaid Funding to Advance Whole Person Care: The Arizona H2O Case Study
Organizations seeking new growth opportunities should look to their state Medicaid agencies. As of March 2025, half of all states (24) have approved 1115 Medicaid waivers allowing “medical” dollars to be spent on housing programs, and six others are waiting for waiver approval. This makes Medicaid one of the largest investment options for specialty care agencies interested in expanding into new markets.
Arizona launched its Housing and Health Opportunities (H2O) waiver program in 2024. One year later, join speakers from Arizona Medicaid (AHCCCS), Banner (an AHCCCS Health Plan), and Copa Health (a community behavioral health provider) as they showcase the road to taking H2O live and the impact of Medicaid-funded housing services for vulnerable populations.
In this session, attendees will:
- Learn Arizona Medicaid’s design decisions in creating specialized housing services for Medicaid eligible SMI members
- Discover how a non-profit health plan invested housing dollars to build new programs, and
- Gain insights on how providers are expanding and growing new services and innovative housing models to support the SMI population.
Shar Najafi-Piper, Ph.D.
Shar Najafi-Piper, PhD was appointed as CEO of Copa Health in 2019. A clinical psychologist, Dr. Najafi-Piper has expertise in fully integrated continuums of care for complex-needs individuals and believes in a whole-person health care model that supports successful outcomes.
In leadership roles since 2008, she has also demonstrated notable talent and skill on the business side of the health and human services industry. This ranges from the implementation of quality assurance functions, peer review, utilization review, as well as service and clinical protocols. In addition, Dr. Najafi-Piper has demonstrated success in the areas of program development, contract development/negotiations, public relations, media development, and business growth through revenue diversification including both traditional and non-traditional sources.
Sandra Stein, M.D.
Sandra Stein, M.D. has been the Chief Medical Director of Banner University Health Plans since December of 2020. Previously, she was the Medical Director of Care Integration of Banner Health Network from Oct. 2017 to Dec. 2020. From Oct. 2015-Sept. In 2017, Sandra served as the chief medical officer for Intermountain Centers in Arizona. From March- September 2015 Sandra served as the Behavioral Medical Director for the Arizona Comprehensive Medical Dental Program (CMDP)/State of Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS). From July 1997 to March 2015 Dr. Stein served as a Medical Director for the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona (CPSA), the Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA). Dr. Stein is a double board certified in general and child and adolescent psychiatry. Sandra Stein, M.D. graduated from Albany Medical College in Albany, NY in 1992 and did an internship, general psychiatry residency, and child psychiatry fellowship in 1997 at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center in Tucson, Arizona.
Theresa Costales, M.D.
Theresa Costales, M.D. became the Chief Medical Officer for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) in January 2025 after serving as Arizona Medical Director for Connections Health Solutions, overseeing clinical operations at the Urgent Psychiatric Center in Phoenix and the Crisis Response Center in Tucson, for several years prior. She is recognized as a health care leader in the State of Arizona, with extensive experience working with individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI), in both direct care and administrative leadership roles, and has partnered with a number of key stakeholders to address systemic gaps and improve outcomes for patients involved in the civil commitment process.
Dr. Costales graduated from Canisius College with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and earned her Medical Doctorate from Georgetown University School of Medicine. She completed the Psychiatry Residency Program at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and is Board Certified in Psychiatry.
The Future Of Value-Based Care For Consumers With Behavioral Health Disorders: The Centene Total Cost Of Care Model In Florida’s Sunshine Health Plan
For health plans, a big challenge is addressing the 5% of the member population with behavioral and cognitive conditions who use 35% of the total resources. The question is how to develop an integrated care model for those consumers that balances the quality of care with the cost of care. In this informative session, Carole Matyas, Vice President of Sunshine Health, a Centene health plan, reviews Centene’s total cost of care model – a program that assigns responsibility for the management of specific consumers to provider organization partners that can address their behavioral health, primary care, and social service needs. Ms. Matyas will discuss the challenges of advanced health plan/provider partnerships – and the future of these partner relationships in a changing health care environment.
Carole Matyas, MSW
Carole Matyas is the Vice President Operations for Sunshine Health Plan. She oversees the SMI Specialty Plan in Florida and has responsibility for overall operation of the program. Carole is accountable to assure the development of a fully integrated medical/behavioral program that is centered in whole person attention and care. She assists with representing the company externally to assure our members, providers and stakeholders have the information and support they need.
Carole has more than 30 years of behavioral health-related experience, with 20 of those years of experience in health plan operations. She joined WellCare in 2011 as VP Behavioral Health Operations at WellCare Corporate office. Previously she worked for Magellan Health Services, first as a general manager for call center operations, and then as Chief of Clinic Operations, where she led practice management and operations of 23 mental health clinics and a psychiatric urgent care center in Arizona. Her additional experience includes serving as Vice President of Public Sector Operations for Schaller Anderson, a Medicaid managed care organization and helped to develop their integrated model; and as Vice President for Value Options, a managed behavioral health care company whose contracts included carve out managed care for state and government agencies, where Carole was executive lead on a large carve out program in Texas. Carole spent her early career as a licensed social worker providing direct clinical services in a group practice, community mental health and a residential treatment center.
Carole has been recognized by Mental Health America and NAMI Texas for her dedication to mental health advocacy. Carole earned both her undergraduate and Master of Social Work degrees from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Growth Through Mergers, Acquisitions & Affiliations With Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health & Terros Health
A record number of organizations serving complex populations are looking to manage the uncertainties of the current economic climate by pursuing mergers, acquisitions and affiliations (MA&A). Join this exciting session to learn how to position your organization for growth in the changing and challenging health and human services environment through MA&A. Attendees will learn from the real-world experiences of Devereux, a national non-profit provider of specialty residential and outpatient services for persons with autism, disabilities and severe behavioral health conditions, and TCV Community Services, who chose to affiliate with Devereux after careful consideration and scenario planning. Attendees will also learn from Terros Health, Arizona’s largest non-profit community behavioral health provider, as it progressed on its affiliation journey.
Key takeaways:
- The implementation of best practice affiliation strategies and how to select a potential partner
- How to align organizational cultures and sustain employee engagement while managing through turbulent economic times
- MA&A planning, roll-out and implementation management
- Practical lessons the agencies learned on overcoming short-term pain points to achieve new synergies and long-term success
Karen Hoffman Tepper, Ph.D.
Karen Hoffman Tepper oversees the strategic plan and provides guidance and leadership for Terros Health. She leverages the people around her and empowers them to do what they do best: Inspire Change for Life. Karen has over 20 years of Chief Officer experience and holds Doctorate Degrees from the University of Arizona in Human Development and Family Studies.
Richard Rinaldi, MBA, PMP
As Devereux’s senior director of administration, Rich Rinaldi, MBA, PMP, uses project management best practices to either lead or influence every major initiative across the organization.
Rinaldi joined Devereux in 2015 and, since that time, has served in roles of increasing responsibility. In 2021, he was promoted to his current position, overseeing the following areas/departments: 1) Project Management Office 2), New Business Development, 3) Procurement and 4) the national executive administrative assistant team.
Rinaldi has earned the following degrees: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown University and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in not-for-profit-management from Chaminade University in Honolulu. He holds the following professional certifications: Project Management Professional, Certified Scrum Professional – ScrumMaster and Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner.
In addition to his work at Devereux, Rinaldi is an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University and Villanova University, where he instructs students in the area of project management. Previously, he served as an adjunct professor at Harcum College and was a member of the Leadership Main Line Class of 2020. Rinaldi is a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) – Delaware Valley Chapter (treasurer) and serves as a board member for his local library in Narberth, Pennsylvania.
Fran Sheedy Bost, M.Ed.
Fran Sheedy Bost, M.Ed., served as executive director of TCV Community Services, a position she has held for over 16 years until her retirement in January 2025. For over 50 years, TCV Community Services has been one of Allegheny County’s most-respected nonprofit organizations providing treatment, care and services to individuals living with behavioral health differences and intellectual and developmental disabilities. In her role as executive director, Bost oversaw TCV’s comprehensive array of programs and services for youth and adults through intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, community living support programs and group homes for mental health adults and individual with intellectual and disabilities, as well as school-based services for children and adolescents.
In 2017, Fran began working with the TCV Board to affiliate with a stronger organization to build capacity to more adequately address the needs of the county. In January, 2022, TCV completed an affiliation with Devereux. The affiliation and integration are viewed as a model on how two mission driven organizations can work together to achieve amazing results.
Prior to TCV, Bost holds more than 35 years of administrative experience in healthcare in Western Pennsylvania. Prior to joining TCV, Bost held the role of vice president of operations at Heritage Valley Health System in Pittsburgh, where she directed the Staunton Clinic and inpatient psychiatric services at two hospitals and six outpatient psychiatric programs. She also oversaw other hospital departments, such as cardiology, radiology and laboratory services.
She also worked for Allegheny Health Choices, Inc. (AHCI), which oversaw Medicaid Behavioral Health managed care in Allegheny County.
Bost also served on the board of Embolden Workers Compensation Trust and as an executive committee member and past president of the Allegheny County Providers Association. She is currently a member of the Allegheny County Behavioral Health Advisory Board.
The Challenges For State Health & Human Service Executives During Times Of Change: Leadership Perspectives
This panel discussion will focus on the evolving landscape of behavioral health service delivery, with a special emphasis on the critical role of government and legislative bodies in shaping the future of care. Through expert perspectives, the panel will explore key challenges and innovative solutions aimed at transforming the accessibility, quality, and efficiency of behavioral health services. Attendees will gain a better understanding of how legislative action, funding, and policy reforms are pivotal in driving systemic change to meet the growing needs of individuals and communities.
Latika D. Davis-Jones, Ph.D., MPH, MSW
Dr. Latika D. Davis-Jones, Ph.D., MPH, MSW currently serves as the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), appointed to the position by Governor Josh Shapiro in January 2023. With over 30 years dedicated to addressing the physical and behavioral health needs of vulnerable populations, she brings extensive experience to her role. Prior to joining DDAP, Dr. Davis-Jones held the position of Senior Director of Behavioral Health at Highmark Wholecare, where she provided leadership and administrative oversight for behavioral health programs, including expanding into new markets and implementing health management initiatives.
Dr. Davis-Jones’s academic contributions include teaching foundational courses on social work practice, diversity, risk, oppression, resilience, and empowerment. She played a pivotal role in contributing to the content and analysis of measures for the book “Measuring Race and Ethnicity: Inside and Out” by the late Dr. Larry Davis and Dr. Rafael Engel. This work focused on psychological measures related to racial identity, acculturation, and intra and intergroup relations, enhancing researchers’ ability to compare concepts across groups and evaluate disparities. Additionally, she served as co-principal investigator on the Strengthening Pittsburgh’s African American Nonprofits (SPAAN) Project at the University of Pittsburgh-School of Social Work.
Dr. Davis-Jones’s commitment to community service is evidenced by her receipt of numerous community awards and her active participation on local boards, reflecting her dedication to making a positive impact beyond her professional responsibilities.
She has also been a vocal advocate in addressing the opioid epidemic, delivering public testimonies before the Pennsylvania House and Senate Policy Committees, and presenting at national and local conferences. Her collaborative efforts have contributed to published reports and journal articles focused on tackling the opioid epidemic in Allegheny County.
Dannette R. Smith, MSW
Commissioner Smith has spent 30 years serving families, children, the aging population, and people experiencing homelessness. She’s led human services departments across the country, most recently serving nearly five years as the Chief Executive Officer at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services where she led five divisions: Behavioral Health, Children and Family Services, Developmental Disabilities, Medicaid & Long-Term Care, and Public Health.
During her tenure in Nebraska, Smith convened a statewide behavioral health task force; focused on opportunities to improve behavioral health services for adults and children, as well as initiated the exploration of Medicaid utilization as a payer for behavioral health services; and redesigned the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center system to include intensive clinical and therapeutic services in the juvenile justice system. While in Virginia Beach, she collaborated with the Sheriff’s Office to provide enhanced behavioral health services in the jail system and provided strategic oversight in the development of the “First Responders” initiative to provide behavioral health services in the community with the Virginia Beach Police Department as part of their service calls.
The 2023 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), Commissioner Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois Chicago. She’s also completed the Kennedy School of Government, Child Welfare Executive Leadership Program at Harvard.
Tech-Enabled Recruiting & Retention: Best Practices For Competing For The Best Talent
In today’s competitive market, tech-driven recruiting is essential for attracting and retaining top talent. This session will showcase practical case studies from organizations that have successfully implemented and optimized Human Capital Management (HCM) systems to streamline recruitment, enhance candidate engagement, and drive financial sustainability. Attendees will gain insights into the real-world application of HCM tools and how they can be leveraged to reduce turnover, enhance efficiency, and foster long-term growth.
Key Takeaways:
- Practical examples of how HCM systems streamline recruitment and cut hiring costs
- Proven strategies for attracting and retaining top talent through technology
- Case studies highlighting the financial impact of smart hiring practices and HCM tools
Brandon Ward, Psy.D.
Brandon Ward, PsyD is a dynamic healthcare leader, bringing together deep clinical insight, experience with complex technology solutions, and an innovative and collaborative style – all in the service of transforming behavioral healthcare in Colorado and beyond. In his current role as Chief Innovation Officer and VP of Information Systems at Jefferson Center, Dr. Ward leads a team of exceptional professionals in this pursuit – partnering within the organization and throughout the community to build robust, secure, and innovative solutions to behavioral healthcare’s toughest challenges.
Innovations In Intensive Children’s Services & Trauma Informed Care With Access Services & The Child Center Of New York
Organizations serving children with significant mental, emotional, and social conditions have long recognized the need to innovate in their service delivery approach to meet children and their families “where they live, learn, and play.”
In this session, learn how two agencies are helping children thrive in their natural environments through in-home and in-community support. Access Services, based in eastern Pennsylvania, tailored its model for Intensive Behavioral Health Services to address trauma and mental health concerns with children in nursery and K-12 school settings. Bringing intensive mental health programs directly into the home is the mission of The Child Center of New York, which provides Youth Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team services for children at risk of placement in a higher-level of care.
Audiences will learn:
- The evidence base and importance of trauma-informed services for high-need youth and their families
- How to design and staff intensive services in non-clinic settings
- Lessons learned in implementing home/school and community based programs
Kathleen Sammer
Kathleen Sammer is a board certified behavior analyst, BCBA, licensed behavior specialist, LBS, and Senior Clinical Director of Behavior Supports and Assessments at Access Services. In that capacity, she supports BCBA’s and behavior consultants in training across counties as far north as Schuylkill and as far south and east as Bucks and Montgomery. She is a former teacher and parent to special needs children. For close to three decades, she has worked to individualize what her students, clients, and families needed in a way that supports healing and growth within treatment. She has practiced within in-patient settings, schools, homes, and non-profits. She has taught in schools in North and West Philadelphia that were deemed “behavior schools.” Through these experiences, Kat recognized that there was interaction between autism, mental health, trauma, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This drove her to build a team of BCBA’s that could work within the spaces where all 4 parts of her client’s narratives met. In her role as Senior Clinical Director of Behavior Supports and Assessments, across multiple counties in Pennsylvania, she has championed supporting her team members’ work towards their application of ABA becoming trauma-informed while simultaneously recognizing how DEI must be at the forefront of their daily clinical work. Kathleen has had the honor of presenting at the Association for Teacher Educators around DEI. She has been a part of RCPA’s advocacy towards equitable access to ABA services as well as Netsmart’s Leadership Summit. She has coordinated with the Office of Children and Youth to provide support around autism to the court system. More importantly, Kathleen goes by Mom to her special needs children, who have taught her more about living with multiple disabilities than any other experiences ever could. They are her inspiration and a source of endless learning opportunities to do better each day.
Sherri Romano, LCSW
Sherri Romano, LCSW, joined the Child Center team as Senior Vice President of Clinical Services in August 2021. In this role, she is bridging clinical services across the six divisions of The Child Center to create a standardized comprehensive clinical model.
Sherri began her career almost 20 years ago in NYC foster home programs, mastering how to navigate the many systems that touch our children’s and families’ lives. She moved on to develop and implement one of the first Bridges to Health programs in NYS before transitioning to residential services. Sherri was the Clinical Director of a large residential treatment center (RTC) serving youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) before jumping into her role as Director of an RTC serving dually diagnosed SED/IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) youth. To effect change on a larger scale, Sherri joined the Office of Mental Health in NYC as the RTF Director, a position in which she served for more than five years. Sherri is thrilled to be using her clinical expertise, knowledge of systems and social determinates, and her insight into government to enhance and integrate clinical services for our children and families.
Justin Smith, M.D., MBA
Justin Reynard Smith, M.D., MBA, is originally from Nashville, Tennessee, and completed his undergraduate and medical school education at Vanderbilt University. After experiencing the limitations in delivering person-centered care within the United States health care system, he decided to take an academic leave of absence from medical school to obtain a master’s degree in business administration at Harvard Business School, with the goal of obtaining more skills and knowledge to help improve health care delivery systems.
After returning to medical school and finishing his last year, Dr. Smith continued his training through the psychiatry residency program at Columbia University (New York-Presbyterian and New York State Psychiatric Institute). Following his residency, he completed the Public Psychiatry Fellowship of New York State Psychiatric Institute at Columbia University while working part-time at The Child Center of NY. In addition to his ongoing supervisory support with the Youth ACT team and provision of direct care, Dr. Smith will use his new role to help our team enhance its delivery of medical and psychiatric services so that we can be sure we serve clients in the best way possible.
Chief Executive Officer Luncheon
If you’re the Chief Executive Officer or Executive Director of an OPEN MINDS member organization, join us for this private networking luncheon. This is an opportunity to share leadership experiences and solutions with your peers from across the nation. Our host for the luncheon is Monica E. Oss, Chief Executive Officer. (To register, contact Erin Deppen, Education Events Manager, at 717-334-1329 or edeppen@openminds.com.)
Monica E. Oss
Monica E. Oss, M.S. is the founder of OPEN MINDS and serves as its chief executive officer, executive editor of its publications and websites, and executive lead of its consulting engagements. For the past three decades, Ms. Oss has led the OPEN MINDS team and its research on health and human service market trends and its national consulting practice. She is well known for her numerous books and articles focused on the strategic and marketing implications of the evolving health and human service field – and its focus on the verticals of the field serving consumers with chronic conditions and complex support needs.
Ms. Oss has extensive experience in developing and implementing growth strategies for a wide array of organizations in the field. She has expertise in industry trend analysis, reimbursement and rate setting, and creating actionable plans for market success. In her role, she has led numerous engagements with state Medicaid plans, county governments, private insurers, and health plans, service provider organizations, technology vendors, neurotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations, and investment banking firms – with a focus on the implications of financing changes on delivery system design.
Prior to founding OPEN MINDS, Ms. Oss served as an executive with a nationally managed behavioral health organization, responsible for market development, actuarial analysis, and capitation-based rate setting. She also held a position as vice president of the U.S. risk management and underwriting division of an international insurance company.
Ms. Oss has been the keynote speaker at the conferences of dozens of national associations and has been published in a wide range of professional journals and trade publications. She has provided Congressional and state legislative testimony on issues as diverse as the financial impact of parity and payer medication access policies.
Ms. Oss has led a range of industry research and consultation initiatives, serving as principal investigator on research projects that include the examination of national managed care enrollment and service patterns, development of provider rate structures for government entities, creation of return-on-investment models for technology investments; design of performance-based compensation models within public and private health plans; and analysis of the economic impact of changes in benefit design, adoption of evidence-based practices, and new technologies.
Kimberly Bond, MS, LMFT
Kimberly Bond, MS, LMFT, brings more than 30 years of experience providing behavioral health treatment in the public and community settings to the OPEN MINDS team. She currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Business Development. In this role, Ms. Bond focuses on growing the OPEN MINDS client portfolio across all nine verticals of OPEN MINDS business.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Bond served concurrently as a Program Coordinator III and Clinical Manager of Adult Services and a Program Coordinator II and Clinical Manager of Recovery Services for the Ozark Guidance Center. In these roles, Ms. Bond was responsible for the administrative and clinical oversight of the adult outpatient and adult intensive mental health services on the Springdale Campus as well as the adult recovery/co-occurring services, including domestic violence and anger management treatment.
Prior to joining the Ozark Guidance Center, Ms. Bond served as the Executive Vice President of Center Point, Inc, a large substance abuse provider agency in California. In this role, Ms. Bond was responsible for the clinical and administrative supervision of all community-based programs as well as the women and children residential programs. In addition, Ms. Bond also managed budgets, interacted with funding agencies, and built positive relationships with all stakeholders. Ms. Bond was also in charge of proposal and grant writing, staff management, and training, facilities’ licensing and certifications renewals. Additionally, she prepared and submitted monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports to various funders.
Previously, Ms. Bond served as the President and CEO of Mental Health Systems, Inc. Ms. Bond was very instrumental in growing the agency from $12 million in annual revenue to more than $100 million and becoming one of the largest providers of behavioral health services in California. In this role, Ms. Bond was responsible for the strategic, clinical, financial, and administrative health of the agency, including direct supervision of Senior Executive Staff. In addition, Bond ensured contract compliance of the agency’s 125 different contracts across federal and state agencies and eight counties.
Ms. Bond received her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with honors, and her master’s degree in counseling education from San Diego State University. She is licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in both California and Arkansas.
Staying Resilient: A CEO Panel Discussion
In today’s rapidly changing world, provider organizations face unprecedented challenges. From staffing shortages and rising demand for services to shifting regulatory and legislative landscapes, and the ongoing impact of global events, leaders in the behavioral health sector must stay resilient in the face of chaos. This panel discussion brings together a group of seasoned CEOs who will share their insights and strategies for navigating uncertainty, building organizations with resilience, and ensuring the well-being of both staff and consumers.
Tine Hansen-Turton, MGA/MPA, J.D., FCPP, FAAN
A seasoned Healthcare and Human Services Executive with 25 years of experience in C-suite executive leadership throughout her career in Nonprofit, Private, and Government Organizations, Tine Hansen-Turton is the President and CEO of Woods System of Care (WSOC). WSOC is a leading population health and advocacy organization in PA and NJ that provides life cycle care to meet the lifelong needs of children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A), acquired brain injuries, and /or mental health challenges who may also have complex medical and genetic conditions. She oversees 7500 staff that serves more than 52,000 individuals. Ms. Hansen-Turton also serves as the founding Executive Director and Administrator for the Convenient Care Association (CCA), the national trade association of over 3500 private-sector retail clinic industry, serving 40 million people with basic health care services across the country. Ms. Hansen-Turton formerly served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer at Public Health Management Corporation, where she oversaw and led corporate strategy, operations, business development, and M&A. Additionally, Ms. Hansen-Turton served as CEO of the National Nurse-led Care Consortium, a non-profit organization supporting the growth and development of over 500 nurse-managed and school health clinics. Ms. Hansen-Turton also teaches public and social innovations, leading nonprofits, health policy, and the social innovations lab at the University of Pennsylvania Fels Institute of Government and School of Nursing. Ms. Hansen-Turton is the founder and publisher of a social impact/innovation journal and has published eight books. She received her BA from Slippery Rock University, her Master of Government/Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania Fels Institute of Government, and her Juris Doctor from Temple University Beasley School of Law.
Karen Hoffman Tepper, Ph.D.
Karen Hoffman Tepper oversees the strategic plan and provides guidance and leadership for Terros Health. She leverages the people around her and empowers them to do what they do best: Inspire Change for Life. Karen has over 20 years of Chief Officer experience and holds Doctorate Degrees from the University of Arizona in Human Development and Family Studies.
Daniel Johansson
With more than 4 decades of experience in behavioral health, Dan has been Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of ACMH, Inc. since 2003. He earned a B.A. from Columbia University in the City of New York and an M.Div. from the Seminario Evangélico de Puerto Rico. He is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and serves a parish in an immigrant community in Hudson County, New Jersey.
The Innovation Success Factor In A Chaotic Market
Monica E. Oss
Monica E. Oss, M.S. is the founder of OPEN MINDS and serves as its chief executive officer, executive editor of its publications and websites, and executive lead of its consulting engagements. For the past three decades, Ms. Oss has led the OPEN MINDS team and its research on health and human service market trends and its national consulting practice. She is well known for her numerous books and articles focused on the strategic and marketing implications of the evolving health and human service field – and its focus on the verticals of the field serving consumers with chronic conditions and complex support needs.
Ms. Oss has extensive experience in developing and implementing growth strategies for a wide array of organizations in the field. She has expertise in industry trend analysis, reimbursement and rate setting, and creating actionable plans for market success. In her role, she has led numerous engagements with state Medicaid plans, county governments, private insurers, and health plans, service provider organizations, technology vendors, neurotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations, and investment banking firms – with a focus on the implications of financing changes on delivery system design.
Prior to founding OPEN MINDS, Ms. Oss served as an executive with a nationally managed behavioral health organization, responsible for market development, actuarial analysis, and capitation-based rate setting. She also held a position as vice president of the U.S. risk management and underwriting division of an international insurance company.
Ms. Oss has been the keynote speaker at the conferences of dozens of national associations and has been published in a wide range of professional journals and trade publications. She has provided Congressional and state legislative testimony on issues as diverse as the financial impact of parity and payer medication access policies.
Ms. Oss has led a range of industry research and consultation initiatives, serving as principal investigator on research projects that include the examination of national managed care enrollment and service patterns, development of provider rate structures for government entities, creation of return-on-investment models for technology investments; design of performance-based compensation models within public and private health plans; and analysis of the economic impact of changes in benefit design, adoption of evidence-based practices, and new technologies.