Radiology Summit — Speakers
Kristin Baird, RN, BSN, MHA, has over thirty years of experience in patient care, healthcare marketing, business development and administration. As president of Baird Consulting, Inc., Ms. Baird has worked with hundreds of healthcare clients including hospitals, medical practices and long term care facilities to improve the customer experience. She is the author of Raising the Bar on Service Excellence, The Health Care Leader's Guide for Putting Passion into Practice, Customer Service in Healthcare; A Grassroots Approach to Creating a Culture of Service Excellence, and Reclaiming the Passion; Stories That Celebrate the Essence of Nursing. She earned a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a Masters of Science in Health Services Administration from Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Rosemary Broderick, FACHE, is the corporate executive of Advanced Imaging Specialists, an outpatient diagnostic imaging company located in northeastern Pennsylvania. A native of northeastern Pennsylvania, she holds a master’s degree in health administration and counselor education and is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. She has been involved in healthcare management and administration since 1985 and in the radiology business since 2001.
Ted Burnes, MPA, earned an undergraduate degree in government and politics from George Mason University and a Masters of Public Administration from The George Washington University. Mr. Burnes has worked as a consultant on numerous political campaigns at the local, state and federal levels. He has also lobbied at the state and federal levels on various issues, including health policy. Most recently, Mr. Burnes worked at The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association as the Director of National Advocacy Outreach.
Christopher Calderone, MBA, MS is the founder and managing partner of the Lean Homecare Consulting Group, LLC, a healthcare consultancy firm that focuses on home medical equipment providers and home health care providers via specialization in process assessment, workflow optimization tactics, lean thinking training and applications, process redesign, change management, warehouse/distribution efficiency, and strategic planning. He is a veteran of the United States Army, holds a BA in healthcare management from Spring Arbor University, a MBA from the University of Phoenix, and a master’s degree in organizational management from Spring Arbor University.
John J. Cergnul, JD, CPA, recently retired from his position as business manager of a large Mid-western radiology group. During his 24 years as business manager, he was very active in the RBMA. At various times he served as an officer (including president), board member and served on, and chaired, several committees. Mr. Cergnul’s interests include cost management, accounts receivable performance metrics and income tax. He currently teaches Managerial Accounting, Cost Accounting and Federal Income Tax at Saint Mary's College.
Keith Chew, MHA, CMPE, is a senior consultant within the Practice Consulting Solutions Division of McKesson Provider Technologies, specializing in medical practice operations, new venture development and contracting sub specialties in the realm of radiology and imaging services. He has more than 23 years experience as a medical group practice administrator serving small single specialty-single site-groups to large (100 +) physician multi-specialty multi-site practices and has served in vice president level roles in hospitals and health systems. Mr. Chew holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Illinois in physiology and a Masters in Health Services Administration from the same institution.
Bruce Christopher, PhD, has been called “America’s foremost Enter—Trainer today” by the American Heart Association and has been listed in the “Mission Possible” project as one of twelve great Americans to watch. As a credentialed professional speaker, Mr. Christopher’s client list comprises some of the best organizations in the world. What separates Psychologist-Humorist Bruce Christopher from the rest of the pack is his outrageously funny and dynamic delivery of today’s hot topics. He has captivated audiences internationally by giving them real and practical solutions for success, without fluff and hype. He is a clinical psychologist holding degrees in both Professional Psychology and Interpersonal Communication.
Tami Colbert is the Director of Administrative Services with Imaging Healthcare Specialists, a full service radiology practice in Southern California. In addition to her role in operations and administrative services, Ms. Colbert has extensive experience as a director of marketing in the culturally diverse regions of San Diego County. She has been active in the healthcare field for over 20 years both in private practice and in major medical groups providing her a unique insight into the referring community and the integration of workflow for increased growth and efficiency.
W. Kenneth Davis, Jr., JD, is a partner in the law firm of Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. He counsels health care providers on the structuring, growth and ongoing operations of all types of businesses and relationships including initial business model development, analysis of regulatory, compliance and reimbursement issues, negotiation of contracts, various types of financings, and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Davis received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Chicago and his law degree with honor from DePaul University College of Law.
Fred Gaschen, MBA is executive vice-president of Radiological Associates of Sacramento Medical Group, Inc. RAS has 18 diagnostic imaging centers, six radiation oncology centers and six hospital locations. Prior to joining RAS Mr. Gaschen held various position of increasing responsibility at Simi Valley Hospital in Simi Valley, California, Memorial Medica-Center in Long Beach, Northridge Medical Center in Northridge, California and Diagnostic Imaging of Southern California (DISC). He is a veteran speaker on topics of contracting, strategic planning, marketing and other aspects of the radiology practice. He holds a BS in Management from University of Rhode Island and a MBA from George Washington University.
Michael Gonzales, CPC, is the Central Billing Operations Manager of Radiological Associates of Sacramento Medical Group, Inc. RAS has 18 diagnostic imaging centers, six radiation oncology centers and six hospital locations. Prior to joining RAS Mr. Gonzales held various positions of increasing responsibility at R.C. McLean & Associates, in Irvine, CA. He currently serves on the RBMA Data Committee and was a member of the RBMA Managed Care Committee. He holds a BA degree in Organizational Leadership from BIOLA University.
Adam Herman is President of Herman Risk Management, Inc. (HRM), a Rockville, MD based company. HRM specializes in offering full service equipment agreements nationally that are financially backed by “A” rated insurance companies. Their agreements are typically saving their customers 15 – 20% cost reduction from their current agreements. Mr. Herman has been in the insurance business since the mid 90’s and has focused on equipment service agreements for the past five years.
James W. Hutchison, JD, is a partner in the Litigation Department of Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. He has counseled health care providers regarding the negotiation and termination of contracts, and has litigated numerous health care issues, including disputes arising from departicipation and the attendant disagreements regarding provider fees and balance billing. Mr. Hutchison received his B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Northwestern University and his J.D. from New York University.
Patricia Kroken, FACMPE, CRA, is a former radiology practice manager and has worked as a business consultant to radiology practices, billing companies, hospitals and imaging centers for the past eight years. She is a regular contributor to the RBMA Bulletin and various national radiology publications as well as a frequent speaker on radiology management topics. She is a Fellow in the American College of Medical Practice Executives and a Certified Radiology Administrator.
Will Latham, CPA, MBA, has worked with medical groups for over 19 years helping them make decisions, resolve conflict and move forward. Mr. Latham is a CPA and has an MBA from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. As a nationally known consultant and speaker, he is frequently quoted in Medical Economics, HealthLeaders, Medical Practice Management, and other national publications.
Julie Lester, MBA, has been providing comprehensive practice management services for Radiologic Medical Services, P.C. in Iowa City, Iowa for the past 16 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Science Education and a Master of Business Administration degree, both from the University of Iowa.
Michael R. Lowe, Esq., is board certified in healthcare law by the Florida Bar. His practice focuses on all aspects of business, corporate, transactional, litigation, regulatory, operational and administrative matters in the health care law arena. Mr. Lowe’s practice also represents hospital medical staffs, IPAs, ambulatory surgery centers, durable medical equipment providers, diagnostic imaging centers, hospitals, long-term care facilities and other healthcare professionals and providers. Licensed in both Florida and Georgia, Mr. Lowe is a member of the health law sections of the Florida Bar, Georgia Bar and American Bar Associations. Additionally, he is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association.
Robert Maier, CPA, is CEO and founder of Regents Health Resources, Inc. He is a former CPA, and was the CFO and then CEO of Heights General Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Since 1984, he has been CEO of LINC Management Services, Healthcare Resource Management and most recently president and CEO of Regents since 1996. He has extensive experience in planning medical imaging services including the formation of joint ventures and the development of new imaging centers.
Claudia A. Murray has over 30 years' experience in healthcare, as a consultant, and with the Medicare Program. She started and grew a successful service company, assisted with the development of proprietary software and other products, including the RBMA Compliance Implementation Toolkit™, and the RBMA HIPAA Workbook for Privacy and Security™. Ms. Murray provides on-site reviews, educational seminars and ongoing compliance program auditing reviews for practices and for OIG Corporate Integrity Agreements as an Independent Review Organization (IRO) as well as providing operational assessments, due diligence and accounts receivable financial analyses for physician practices, imaging centers and billing services.
Laurie Paidosh, MBA, RT, is a seasoned healthcare leader, with 30 years of progressive managerial, leadership and operations experience in the healthcare industry. She has served in an operations management role for a large healthcare delivery system in Minnesota, and as a national consultant for hospitals and health systems. Currently, she is the vice president of radiology programs for UnitedHealthcare, a national health and well-being company, where she is accountable for developing and executing national strategies aimed at reducing variations and improving the quality and safety of imaging services.
Nicole L. Palmer, CPA, provides Management Services Network, LLC (MSN) with business development support services including the development of new accounts and prospective client leads. She has spent over 16 years working specifically with radiology practices to increase the effectiveness of their financial management, as well as the management of their billing operations. Ms. Palmer has worked with a large national vendor that provided practice management services to radiology practices, several large regional multi-office, multi-modality radiology practices, and consulting firms that provide financial management services to physician practices. Ms. Palmer is an active member of the Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA), and served on the Board of Directors for this organization as the Eastern Director from 2002 to 2004. She is currently the chair of the Data Collection and Reporting Committee.
Shay Pratt is a senior consultant with the Imaging Performance Partnership, a program of the Advisory Board Company in Washington, DC. Mr. Pratt is now in his tenth year with the Advisory Board, a membership-based best practice and strategic research firm serving over 2,500 hospitals and health systems in the U.S. The Imaging Performance Partnership serves imaging providers at leading hospitals and health systems. Mr. Pratt currently oversees a suite of research projects that encompasses the key strategic and operational issues now facing hospital imaging executives.
Mercedes Ramirez-Johnson survived a commercial airplane crash that killed 160 people in 1995, including her parents. As one of only four survivors of this tragedy, she vowed that she would make her second chance at life count - not only for herself, but also for the tens of thousands of people who have heard her story and her message. Before becoming a speaker, she spent nearly a decade in high-level sales in the pharmaceutical and medical software industries. A record-breaking, multimillion-dollar producer, she became the youngest female and sole Latina account executive at Cerner Corporation. As a result, she understands the challenges and opportunities today’s professionals face and has both the capability and the credibility to cross professional, generational, gender and ethnic gaps to connect with people from all backgrounds and levels.
Howard Reis, MBA, is the director of business development at Imaging on Call, LLC. He is responsible for identifying new business opportunities through direct sales and channel partners. He began working in telemedicine at NYNEX Science and Technology when he assisted four of the leading Boston, Massachusetts teaching hospitals and was subsequently named President of TelAssist Corp., a home telemedicine company. Mr. Reiss also has many years of experience working in the telecommunications industry, where he had extensive contact with many different hospital clients. He is a graduate of New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business with an MBA in Finance.
Randal Roat, CHBME, is the vice president of radiology services for Medical Management Professionals, Inc. He has held leadership roles in the following functional areas: compliance, government relations, business development, finance, mergers & acquisitions, technology and strategic planning. Mr. Roat is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a degree in Information Systems and Business Administration, with additional post-graduate education from University of Michigan and the Wharton School of Business.
Joseph A. Serio, CPA, MBA, FACMPE, has 28 years of hospital and physician group practice management experience. Currently, he is executive director of Radiology of Huntsville, PC. He served on the RBMA Board of Directors as Southern Director in 2002-2003, has been a speaker at RBMA seminars and was on the RBMA Education Committee. Mr. Serio is a past-president of the MGMA Radiology Assembly.
Karole Sherlock, MS, is a certified Lean Six-Sigma black belt with more than ten years leading medical improvement and communication initiatives. As process improvement manager for Radia, a 75 physician practice in Washington State, Ms. Sherlock directs the improvement program, leads projects and teaches improvement methodology to company physicians and other leaders. She has a Masters degree in communications and has been published in iSixSigma magazine, an international trade publication for improvement professionals.
Lori Shore, CPC, RCC, is the vice president of coding and compliance for Medical Billing and Management Services where she has been employed for the last 22 years. She is a graduate of Drexel University in Philadelphia with a bachelor's degree in Human Behavior and Development. Ms. Shore began working in healthcare in 1979 doing billing for a radiology practice.
Douglas G. Smith is founder and president of Barrington Lakes Group, Inc., a healthcare consulting firm. His professional background and experience include extensive radiology practice business management, managed care management, physician/hospital and physician/specialist joint venture development, practice mergers and acquisitions, imaging center feasibility studies, fair market value determinations, health system integrated imaging strategy development, strategic business action planning and federal government and international legislative and policy liaison.
Maurine Spillman-Dennis, MPH, MBA is a senior director in the Department of Economics and Health Policy at the American College of Radiology (ACR) and has worked at the ACR for two years. She is a graduate of Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin and also holds a Masters of Public Health and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Eduardo Suarez-Solar, MMS, MPA, JD, SPHR has represented and advised employers in all aspects of labor and employment relations as well as provided strategic business development advise to hundreds of companies over the past seventeen years. He has extensive experience in advising employers regarding business development, human resource management and legal compliance issues as well as traditional labor matters. Mr. Suarez-Solar formerly practiced with two nationally prominent labor and employment boutique firms, one in the Southeast and one in the Midwest before purchasing West Coast Employers Association, now known as Integrated Employer Resources. Mr. Suarez-Solar has dedicated the majority of this career to assist organizations in the prevention of labor and employment litigation, the training and development of management personnel as well as strategic business development for member and non-member organizations.
Joseph P. White, CPA, MBA, healthcare principal at LarsonAllen, specializes in serving physician groups and healthcare systems. He has over 20 years of experience in consulting, tax and assurance services in the healthcare field. He is also adjunct faculty at the University of St. Thomas teaching in The Center for Health and Medical Affairs, the Physician Leadership College and the Mini-MBA in Medical Group Management. His ability to communicate healthcare financial issues and concepts to non-financial individuals has helped many clients gain insight and understanding.
Tim Wright, MBA, is president and CEO of Wright Results, a company he began in 2002 which offers services and resources that help small, medium and large businesses reach higher levels of success. He bases his work on more than 30 years of continuing, on-the-job research as an educator, corporate manager and director, executive in a successful startup, and building his own business as an entrepreneur. Tim received his BA from Washington & Lee University and his MBA from New York University.
