The changing health and human service landscape demands new skills from all executive team members—and the CFO is no exception. To navigate the increasing complexity of their roles, today’s CFOs must be informed, able to identify the financial impact of leadership decisions, and willing to create strategies to ensure ongoing financial sustainability.
The OPEN MINDS CFO Learning Path below was designed specifically to cater to the unique and changing demands of today’s finance leaders. Learn essential skills, gain perspective, and hear solutions to some of the most challenging issues facing organizations as the industry embraces value-based reimbursement, integrated care, and increased competition.
View featured courses and sessions below to get started!
Getting To The Right Scale: The 2025 OPEN MINDS Executive Seminar On Growth Through Mergers, Acquisitions & Affiliations
How big is big enough for your organization to sustain talent, market reach, and financial resources? In deciding the right path for staying competitive in the constantly shifting health and human services marketplace, many executives from specialty provider organizations are pursuing merger, acquisition, and affiliation (MA&A) strategies. In the last few years, the field has experienced a record number of MA&A among specialty provider organizations serving consumers with complex conditions. Join us for this information-packed seminar examining growth strategies and successful implementation plans from previous combinations and collaborations occurring in the health and human services field. Learn how to position your organization for sustainability and growth as we move forward into the “post-pandemic” world.
This seminar will focus on:
- Designing an effective strategy for growth and scale
- Assessing the options for growth – from investors to mergers
- Identifying prospective organizational partners
- Overcoming the challenges to create successful collaborations
Rick Rowley
Rick Rowley brings over 10 years of experience driving improved performance, quality, and costs of the health care system to OPEN MINDS as a Senior Associate. Mr. Rowley is focused on bringing together health care physicians, provider organizations, health care payers, and data-driven strategies.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Rowley was the Chief Data & Analytics Officer at the State of Colorado, Behavioral Health Administration. In this role, he designed and implemented the Colorado behavioral health performance monitoring system, which focused on the impact of care across privately and publicly funded services including health care, criminal justice, and social services. Mr. Rowley served as the state’s subject matter expert on quality and performance measures for behavioral/mental health services, grants, and contracts worth over $200 million annually. He brokered data-sharing agreements with both public and private organizations and advised senior executives and state leaders on data trends utilizing data visualizations and formal presentations. He spoke at national and state-level conferences focused on improving mental health care.
Previously, Mr. Rowley was the Vice President of Healthcare Strategy and Operations at Redwood Family Care Network, a private equity-backed provider of services for those with severe mental illness disabilities within California, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona. He developed strategies and implemented the use of operational guidelines for physicians, psychiatrists, behavioralists, and social workers caring for residents within our 124 facilities located across the four states. He also served as a merger and acquisition (M&A) consultant on the business development team providing subject matter expert insights on revenue cycle management, quality of services, and the strategic synergies of potential healthcare acquisitions.
Mr. Rowley was also the project manager for the development of a specialty mental health/primary care medical group contracted with Medicare Innovations Value-Based “Primary Care First” program that performed services through a hybrid telehealth and satellite facility environment. He designed and engineered a data warehouse (BigQuery) for the integration and coordination of care between insurance payers and state services.
Prior to that role, Mr. Rowley served as the Vice President of Corporate Wellness at OC Wellness Physicians Group. In this role, Mr. Rowley drove B2B sales for corporate wellness contracts that generated $18 million worth of new business. He provided operational and strategic leadership creating and maximizing payer agreements with Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare.
Previously, Mr. Rowley served as the Executive Director for Regenerative Orthopedic Clinic, where he turned the company around from a negative EBITDA to $2.5 million. He was responsible for $10.1 million annual P&L grown from $750k in 2011. While working with the CEO, Mr. Rowley oversaw the operations and strategies for the company’s three southern California facilities and 45 employees with support from eight direct reports.
Mr. Rowley earned his Doctorate of Chiropractic degree at Southern California University of Health Sciences. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree at Brigham Young University, majoring in Microbiology with a minor in business management.
Kimberly Bond, MS
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.
Paul M. Duck
Paul M. Duck brings more than 40 years of experience in leadership and management focusing on managed care, health information technology organizations, strategy, business development, and market expansion, and customer experience optimization to the OPEN MINDS team.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Duck served as the Vice President, Strategy & Development at Beacon Health Options. In this role, Mr. Duck led the organization’s strategy and business development efforts, which led to a 30% increase in net revenue and initiated more than $1 billion in revenue generation. Mr. Duck was active in national behavioral health initiatives as an executive of Beacon Health Options, including participating as a speaker at national and state association meetings.
Before joining Beacon Health Options, Mr. Duck was the Vice President of Business Development at Netsmart Technologies. During his tenure, Mr. Duck was responsible for business planning including the oversight of strategic activities including acquisitions, development, and execution of strategic initiatives, and positioning, and sales of large strategic customers. He also led the rollout of the company’s benchmarking and data analytics product suite.
Prior to Netsmart, Mr. Duck served as the Chief Executive Officer for Coastal Orthopedics and Pain Management, a large group practice with five clinic locations and two ambulatory surgical centers. As the organization’s chief executive officer, Mr. Duck was responsible for significant positive changes in leadership and corporate culture, financial and operational performance, compliance, and governance. Mr. Duck improved net collections by over $1 million per month and grew the practice through negotiating better contract rates with payers. He also implemented an organizational rebranding initiative and launched a new marketing campaign.
Prior to Coastal Orthopedics and Pain Management, Mr. Duck served as the President and Chief Executive Officer for Florida Radiology Imaging, one of the largest outpatient diagnostic imaging service companies serving the greater Orlando market. During his tenure, Mr. Duck led the construction of three new, full modality, diagnostic imaging locations. Mr. Duck revolutionized the company’s culture by creating a highly attractive and functional work environment.
Mr. Duck earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Case Western Reserve University. He earned his Associate of Arts in Electronic Engineering Technology from the Electronic Technology Institute. Mr. Duck received an award by Inc magazine for leading Florida Radiology Imaging as one of America’s fastest-growing companies. Mr. Duck recently served as a contributing author to the book The New Health Age: The Future of Health Care in America.
Paying For Health-Related Social Needs: Emerging Models Of Funding Every Executive Should Know About
With increased attention to value-based care, improved outcomes, and the metrics that define them, it is key that providers build services around their community’s unique array of health-related social needs (HRSN). These may include housing instability, food insecurity, employment, personal safety, lack of transportation, etc.
Equally as important is for provider executives to have a thorough understanding of what kind of payment models can be leveraged to support those services. In this plenary session, hear from a diverse group of payers on innovative models for payment and contracting that providers can leverage to support unconventional lines of service delivery to address HRSN and community health outcomes on a broad scale.
Yvonne Copeland, MBA
Yvonne Copeland is the inaugural Director for the newly established Division of Child and Family Well-Being (DCFW) at the NC Department of Health and Human Services, which brings together health, behavioral health, early childhood development, and nutrition programs that support children and families using a whole-person approach to care. Yvonne provides strategic direction and oversight for 1000+ employees in the operation of federal and state programs within DCFW’s portfolio including Whole Child Health, Early Intervention, Community Nutrition Services (WIC and CACFP), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). She is driven to ensure all children have the opportunity to thrive in safe, stable, and nurturing families, schools, and communities.
Yvonne’s 30 years of executive leadership, health policy, system design and implementation, change management, and operations in public sector health and human services have given her a unique understanding of the complexity of systems and the impact of practical solutions. Yvonne served as Senior Vice President of Operations for a multi-state Quality Improvement Organization, where she led all federal and state service lines (population health, external quality review, utilization management, and program integrity). As the former Vice President of Community Operations for a behavioral health managed care organization Yvonne increased provider capacity using innovative payment models, increased access to timely care, and amplified the member voice. Yvonne holds an MBA from Meredith College and a BA from Rutgers University and has two amazing adult children, a loving daughter and son-in-law, and a grand-dog that bring her joy.
Cindy Ehlers, MS, LCMHC
Cindy Ehlers, MS, LCMHC, serves as the Chief Operations Officer for Trillium Health Resources. She is focused on improving access to health and affordability through emerging analytics and innovative solutions. She leads several major components of Trillium, overseeing the strategy and innovation for Trillium along with member services, care management, network operations, and innovative development. Trillium Health Resources is a leader in innovation for behavioral health and IDD and the life-long support needed by these populations in NC.
Cindy is a champion for the implementation of evidence based practices. Cindy has developed a robust department within Trillium focused on approaches that address opportunities for health and health disparity throughout eastern NC. She has worked as a public servant for the past 32 years. Cindy has developed many programs and services in behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disabilities across more than half of North Carolina, overcoming rural barriers and many health disparities to meet the service needs of the BH-IDD population.
Cindy offers a unique perspective in her role as an Executive in the NC system, as she is both a parent and professional. Cindy has six children- several who have special needs; she was a therapeutic foster parent and is an adoptive parent. Cindy understands the system from the perspective of the MCO, from the inside out, and as a parent of children with special healthcare needs from the outside in. Her lived experience is unique to find in healthcare at this level in an organization. Trillium is the only health plan in the state with a parent who has been a foster parent and adoptive parent and is the parent of children with IDD on the Executive team of the organization.
Stephanie Franklin, MPS
Stephanie Franklin, MPS, is the Director of Insights & Business Intelligence for Humana, Inc., a leading, national health care company that offers a wide range of insurance products and health and wellness services that incorporate an integrated approach to lifelong well-being. Humana has a vision of influencing and enabling an equitable healthcare ecosystem so that every person has a fair, just and dignified opportunity to reach their full health potential. Stephanie leads the Insights and Business Intelligence team within Humana’s Health Equity and Social Impact organization, whose objectives are to leverage data analytics and visualization to bring to light those social risk factors and non-medical needs that prevent members and patients from achieving their best health and to build enterprise capacity for disparities-focused reporting, analytics and strategy development.
Stephanie is a published researcher and speaker on the topics of social determinants of health and health equity. She is passionate about helping teams and organizations translate research and analytics into policy and practice to create a healthier, more equitable society. She has worked across sectors – public, private, and non-profit – where she has developed an understanding of barriers and facilitators to implementation of evidence-based practices.
Stephanie joined Humana in 2014. Previous roles included leading clinical programs aimed at preventing and delaying progression of chronic disease. Prior to joining Humana, Stephanie was the Senior Legislative Aide for a Member of Congress. Stephanie has a Master of Professional Studies in Political Management from The George Washington University and a B.A. from Centre College. She lives in Louisville, KY with her husband and two sons.
Alternative Roads To Revenue Diversification With Omni Family Of Services
Achieving financial sustainability means creating a performance framework full of possible solutions to the market problems an organization faces. Central to that framework is revenue diversification, which allows health care organizations to grow their core business while securing future survival against environmental pressures. Revenue diversification is a key tool in preparing for and managing the financial sustainability of the organization.
In this session, learn how Omni Family Of Services has expanded into different industries with a product approach, created more custom contracts with states outside of Medicaid, as well as partnering with other organizations in care coordination.
During this session, attendees will:
- Explore the changing funding landscape and projections for future trends
- Discover proven strategies from organizations who have used alternative methods to revenue diversification
- Examine key considerations of building a comprehensive diversification strategy that is right for your organization
Jane Wintz
Jane Wintz, CEO of Omni Family of Services, has spent her entire career in the child welfare industry working to improve outcomes for youth and families.
Prior to joining the Omni Family in 2017 as Omni Visions’ President & CEO, she served in numerous roles at Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth (SAFY) including Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer. (Omni Visions is now known as Omni Family of Services.)
A leader with over 25 years of non-profit experience, Jane has worked in 15 States where she has implemented Treatment Foster Care, Family Preservation, Residential and Congregate Care, and Education service delivery models.
Prior to her time with SAFY, Jane worked with Pressley Ridge for over 12 years in Cincinnati, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She currently serves as a Board member for Family Focused Treatment Association (FFTA).
She holds a Bachelor of Science in social work from St. Louis University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Cincinnati.
Gwen Koenig
Gwen Koenig brings 30 years of social work clinical and administrative experience as the Chief Of Strategic Growth for the Omni Family of Services, a national leader of child and family services in behavioral health, child welfare, and juvenile justice. Throughout her career, Gwen has led foster care, family preservation, and community mental health organizations. In 2016, Gwen transitioned from operations to business development and innovation in the human services space. She has represented companies throughout fifteen states and has been responsible for business procurement, strategic planning, grants management, staff development, and technology innovation in this role. Since 2016, Gwen has been an adjunct faculty at the Colorado State University School of Social Work, teaching courses in macro social work and nonprofit management. From 2021 to 2023, Gwen co-founded SigBee, a technology platform to improve workforce retention in human services.
Gwen holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Cincinnati. Gwen has presented at numerous national and international conferences, including a key presentation at the National Association of Child Care Workers in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She has served on various boards and committees with the Family Focused Treatment Association and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, among other trade organizations. Gwen resides in Fort Collins, CO where she enjoys the beautiful outdoors with her three sons, volunteers in her community, and keeps active with her rescue animals.
Launching Whole Person Care Programs Through Organizational Partnerships: How A Virginia Non-Profit Innovatively Financed New Integrated Service Programs
States, MCOs and other payers are increasingly interested in using whole person care models to better manage health costs and health outcomes for complex populations. But for many specialty care providers, finding dollars to cover the cost of creating an integrated program is a major challenge. This session, designed for organizations considering how to launch a whole person care practice, explores how one Virginia agency used partnership strategies to finance its integrated service program.
- Understand common strategies for covering start-up and ongoing costs of delivering integrated care
- Learn how to build value-based payer partnerships to expand your whole person care programs
- Learn how to develop a strategic re-investment model for growing services over time
Brandie D. Williams, M.Ed, Ed.S
Brandie has over 20 years of experience serving individuals with Behavioral Health needs and Developmental Disabilities. For the past 15 years, Brandie has worked at the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education, recovery, treatment, and wellness of individuals affected by mental health and substance use disorders and developmental disabilities. In her role as Deputy Executive Director, she brings subject-matter and operational knowledge of integrated care, data analytics, and behavioral health care to support the use of analytics to improve clinical performance, patient health, and organizational efficiencies. In addition to day-to-day operations, Brandie oversees reporting and analytics to inform a data-driven quality improvement process. Throughout her professional career, Brandie has fostered a deep passion for the opportunities created by advanced science and technology in the health and human services quality improvement space. She believes building and growing a high-quality workforce is the foundation for meeting our community’s needs.
Chief Financial Officer Networking Lunch
Join us for this private luncheon for executive leaders of OPEN MINDS member organization – created for Chief Financial Officers. The objective of this networking session is to provide opportunities for executive leaders from across the country to share solutions to the challenges in serving consumers with complex needs. Our hosts for the luncheon are Ray Wolfe and Dee Dewitt, Senior Associates at OPEN MINDS.
RSVP is Required to attend! To register, contact Erin Deppen, Education Events Manager, at 717-334-1329 or edeppen@openminds.com.
Dee Dewitt
Dee DeWitt has extensive experience as a consultant and corporate leader in the healthcare field. Mr. DeWitt brings over 28 years of experience in healthcare finance and operations, M&A, use of technology, strategic planning, and change management in healthcare organizations to OPEN MINDS as a Senior Associate.
Previously, Mr. DeWitt was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Momentum For Health, a CARF-accredited non-profit behavioral health organization providing services to individuals with a diagnosed serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance abuse disorder, in San Jose, California. During his tenure, Mr. DeWitt increased outpatient productivity by 25% and contributed to growing revenues from $55 million to a projected $71+ million for the fiscal year of 2023. Mr. DeWitt also oversaw Momentum ‘s pilot with Santa Clara County’s transition to Netsmart Provider Connect and led a successful grant award and implementation of a multi-year paid intern program in partnership with Santa Clara University, San Jose University, and Palo Alto University.
Mr. DeWitt was also the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Veridian Financial Group, a strategic consulting firm specializing in performing long-term, on-site C-level and Director roles, evaluating and implementing financial strategies, strategic operational planning, and development strategies for companies that are poised for significant growth, change, or require turnaround attention, in San Jose, California. During his time at Veridian Financial Group, Mr. DeWitt focused primarily on healthcare, finance, technology, and private equity and coordinated licensing, compliance, and external audits for 42 state licenses, including managed care organizations, managed care plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and service provider organizations.
In addition, Mr. DeWitt served as Chief Financial Officer and a Consultant in Strategic Planning and Finance for Home Recovery – Home Aid, Inc., a private equity-backed, for-profit company that provides personal care and skilled care in 35 locations and in-home care throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. During his time there, Mr. DeWitt was a member of the company’s executive management team, audit team, and License & Compliance team. Mr. DeWitt also served as Chief Financial Officer of Professional Healthcare Resources, Inc., a for-profit holding company comprised of 5 home health companies, 4 hospice companies, and 2 private duty/personal care companies. Mr. DeWitt has also been the Chief Financial and Technology Officer for The Filson, a nationally renowned non-profit archive and research institute, and Director of Strategic Development for Signature Healthcare, LLC, a national private equity-backed for-profit, long-term care company operating over 180 facilities, with 18,000 employees, and over $1 billion in revenues.
Mr. DeWitt also held the positions of Deputy Director of Behavioral Health at the County of Ventura, CA Behavioral Health Services Department, and Director of Finance and Management Services of the Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS), a joint commissioned accredited non-profit.
Mr. DeWitt graduated from the University of Louisville, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and a Master’s in Political Science with a concentration in Economics and Public Policy.
Rick Rowley
Rick Rowley brings over 10 years of experience driving improved performance, quality, and costs of the health care system to OPEN MINDS as a Senior Associate. Mr. Rowley is focused on bringing together health care physicians, provider organizations, health care payers, and data-driven strategies.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Rowley was the Chief Data & Analytics Officer at the State of Colorado, Behavioral Health Administration. In this role, he designed and implemented the Colorado behavioral health performance monitoring system, which focused on the impact of care across privately and publicly funded services including health care, criminal justice, and social services. Mr. Rowley served as the state’s subject matter expert on quality and performance measures for behavioral/mental health services, grants, and contracts worth over $200 million annually. He brokered data-sharing agreements with both public and private organizations and advised senior executives and state leaders on data trends utilizing data visualizations and formal presentations. He spoke at national and state-level conferences focused on improving mental health care.
Previously, Mr. Rowley was the Vice President of Healthcare Strategy and Operations at Redwood Family Care Network, a private equity-backed provider of services for those with severe mental illness disabilities within California, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona. He developed strategies and implemented the use of operational guidelines for physicians, psychiatrists, behavioralists, and social workers caring for residents within our 124 facilities located across the four states. He also served as a merger and acquisition (M&A) consultant on the business development team providing subject matter expert insights on revenue cycle management, quality of services, and the strategic synergies of potential healthcare acquisitions.
Mr. Rowley was also the project manager for the development of a specialty mental health/primary care medical group contracted with Medicare Innovations Value-Based “Primary Care First” program that performed services through a hybrid telehealth and satellite facility environment. He designed and engineered a data warehouse (BigQuery) for the integration and coordination of care between insurance payers and state services.
Prior to that role, Mr. Rowley served as the Vice President of Corporate Wellness at OC Wellness Physicians Group. In this role, Mr. Rowley drove B2B sales for corporate wellness contracts that generated $18 million worth of new business. He provided operational and strategic leadership creating and maximizing payer agreements with Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare.
Previously, Mr. Rowley served as the Executive Director for Regenerative Orthopedic Clinic, where he turned the company around from a negative EBITDA to $2.5 million. He was responsible for $10.1 million annual P&L grown from $750k in 2011. While working with the CEO, Mr. Rowley oversaw the operations and strategies for the company’s three southern California facilities and 45 employees with support from eight direct reports.
Mr. Rowley earned his Doctorate of Chiropractic degree at Southern California University of Health Sciences. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree at Brigham Young University, majoring in Microbiology with a minor in business management.
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.
So You Want To Become A FQHC?—The Cherokee Health Systems & Community Health Network Case Studies
This comprehensive training program is designed for professionals interested in establishing or transitioning to a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or FQHC Look-alike status. Participants will gain essential knowledge about the requirements, benefits, and challenges associated with these designations, equipping them with the insights needed to make informed decisions and navigate the complex process effectively.
Immerse yourself into Cherokee Health Systems’ pioneer journey to becoming an FQHC. Opening in 1960 as a mental health center in Eastern Tennessee and then expanding to primary care services, CHS adopted an “Integrated Health Care Home” model, integrated primary care, behavioral health, and substance use disorder treatment all in one. They have been nationally recognized for its innovative and consumer-centered health care approach.
Learn from Community Health Network, formed in 2008 in Texas and replacing an FQHC that lost its funding, how they went from one location and three exam rooms to 14 clinical locations with over 14 years of service. Some of their services include dental oral health, behavioral health, home health, and medical/primary care.
Attendees will:
- Understand the fundamental criteria and regulatory requirements for obtaining FQHC or FQHC Look-alike status, including eligibility criteria, scope of services, governance structure, and compliance standards
- Explore the unique benefits and challenges associated with operating as an FQHC or FQHC Look-alike, including access to federal funding, reimbursement mechanisms, quality improvement initiatives, and integration within the health care ecosystem
- Develop practical strategies and action plans for navigating the application process, establishing effective partnerships with stakeholders, and sustaining organizational viability and success as an FQHC or FQHC Look-alike
Parinda Khatri, Ph.D.
Dr. Parinda Khatri is Chief Executive Officer at Cherokee Health Systems (CHS). CHS is a Federally Qualified Health Center and licensed Community Mental Health Center that provides comprehensive and integrated primary, behavioral health, dental, vision, pharmacy, and outreach services to 70,000 patients across 25 counties in Tennessee. She serves on several national committees and boards, including the Mental/Behavioral Health Advisory Committee for the Association of American Medical Colleges, the National FQHC Advisory Board for United Healthcare, Board of Directors for Advocates for Community Health (ACH), Board of Directors for Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU), and the AHRQ National Integration Academy Council. She has been awarded the Susan P. Smith Award of Excellence by the Tennessee Primary Care Association, the Don Bloch Award by the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, the Excellence in Education and Teaching award by the Society of Health Psychology, and is a Fellow of the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved.
Penny Pabst, M.Ed., OHCC
Penny Pabst, CAO, holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Human Relationships and a Master of Education in Educational Psychology. She worked for eight years as a Child Life Specialist at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston before obtaining her master’s degree in 1997 and “found” her work mission in community health. Ms. Pabst has 27 years of experience working in federally qualified health centers. Ms. Pabst first worked at Fort Bend Family Health Center, Inc., where she served as a Children with Special Health Care Needs case manager before moving into administration. As Associate Director of Health Care Services (2002-2012), Ms. Pabst managed the daily operations of six physician land-based medical clinics and supervised the clinical and administrative support staff, including the front desk, nursing, patient registration, and medical records. She served as the project lead for clinic process measurement improvement (Access and Redesign Collaborative). As the Special Projects Officer from 2012-2017, Ms. Pabst served in the role of Project manager and implemented an integrated practice management/electronic health record system, and as system administrator; obtained contracts for new copier and phone systems; served as the Grant and Contract Manager and coordinated evaluation and monitoring of grant and contract funded programs, including reports and other communications with funding sources. Ms. Pabst was responsible for preparing and submitting the federal, state and private grant proposals and report, and managing the programs.
In her current position as CAO, Ms. Pabst oversees quality, risk management, compliance, credentialing, grants development, medical records, and social determinants of health (SDOH) duties. Ms. Pabst is responsible for overseeing the patient satisfaction survey process, private foundation and the state and federal contracts to ensure compliance with all contract components. Ms. Pabst is responsible for ensuring all staff receive cultural competency and LEP training through the Risk management program. Ms. Pabst oversees the HRSA site visit as the Compliance Officer, adds new sites and services to scope, and is responsible for any audits that occur at the organization.
Innovations & Sustainability In Integrated Care: The Denova Collaborative Health Case Study
Essential ingredients for successful whole person care include technical savvy, compassionate clinicians, a strong team-based approach, and financial models that make it all sustainable. Denova Collaborative Care, one of Arizona’s largest integrated outpatient providers, is changing the conversation on whole person care with its “integrated collaborative healthcare” approach that delivers all the essentials and more. Denova’s model combines holistic team-based care and delivery of primary, behavioral health, and social treatments with medical case management and patient progress tracking. This winning combination is expanding Denova’s reach into new markets and attracting value-based payer partnerships from around Arizona and across the country.
Key takeaways from this session include:
- Understand Denova’s successful formula for holistic “integrated collaborative care”
- Discover how whole person care financing models support clinical quality, care management, and market expansion
- Learn about Denova’s suite of trademarked health assessment tools for monitoring satisfaction and symptom management
Graham Johnson, MAcc, CPA
As the CEO of Denova Collaborative Health, Graham spearheads the strategic vision and operational success of the company. With a direct supervisory role over key executives, Graham’s leadership extends across various departments. Before taking on the role of CEO, he was an integral team member as Denova’s CFO, bringing extensive experience from a 15-year tenure at Deloitte & Touche. His expertise in audit engagements and financial strategy in diverse sectors like Technology and Healthcare helped bolster Denova’s growth. Graham’s academic achievements include a BS and a Master of Accountancy from Brigham Young University, and a CPA certification. Outside work, Graham dedicates time to mentoring youth at his church and enjoys family time with his wife and four children.
George Orras, Ph.D., LCSW, MBA
Dr. George Orras, the Chief Clinical Officer at Denova, has been pivotal in revolutionizing Arizona’s behavioral health sector. His role at Denova encompasses strategy formulation, innovation, and enhancing patient care. Dr. Orras’s professional career includes being a co-founder and CEO at Windstone Behavioral Health/Windstone Health Services, alongside his academic contributions as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern California. He brings a rich background in managing behavioral healthcare, clinical operations, and strategic expansion. His prior roles include executive positions at various healthcare organizations, highlighting his versatility as a clinician and leader.
Angela Roumain, RN, MPH
Angela Roumain is the Vice President of Medical Operations at Denova Collaborative Health. Angela specializes in integrating clinical expertise with operational leadership to improve care quality and outcomes. A passionate educator and advocate, they have spearheaded initiatives in perinatal mental health, health equity, and preventive care programming. Recognized for their innovative approaches to healthcare delivery, Angela is committed to fostering collaboration and advancing patient-centered care. They hold a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Arizona State University and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Arizona.
How Citrus Health Assesses & Improves Margin Issues For The Organization & Its Service Lines
Health and Human Service providers are expected to provide more care to consumers, increase reporting, and coordinate across more organizations than ever before. At the same time, transitioning to funding models with decreasing margins leads to fiscal instability for a frighteningly large number of organizations across the country. Mr. Garcia, Chief Financial Officer of Citrus Health, shares how they evaluate service line margins and diagnose financial issues across mental health, primary care, and foster care services. He will share how Citrus Health weighs the value of service line synergies and contracting opportunities against poorly performing services and strategies to increase margins while maintaining its mission.
During this session, attendees will:
- Identify three key metrics utilized to diagnose margin issues across service lines
- Learn how Citrus Health weighs the benefits of service line synergies against poor performance
- Discover service line improvement strategies and how Citrus Health determines when a service line is no longer in the best interest of its mission
Jose Garcia, MBA, CHCQM
Jose F. Garcia, MBA, CHCQM, brings over 30 years of experience in Health and Human services. A unique background as a former medical doctor (D. Med.), with an MBA, he has held a variety of supervisory and management positions at Citrus Health Network Inc., culminating in his current role of Chief Financial Officer.
In his role as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Garcia has played a pivotal role alongside the CEO and COO in guiding the organization through the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. His knowledge of programs and services leads to thorough analysis of the financial position of each line of service which brings about recommendations and strategies which are instrumental in successfully navigating the challenges and opportunities for the company.
Prior to being the Chief Financial Officer Mr. Garcia served as Contract and Grants Administrator for Citrus Health Network Inc. In this role Mr. Garcia was responsible for overseeing the entire process of grants management, budget preparation and financial reporting on a large scale. This experience has equipped him with a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in financial planning and compliance.
Due to Mr. Garcias work experience providing direct services, he has been invited to present at national conferences, including The Innovation Forum in Atlanta, where he presented on Citrus Health Network’s initiatives on “Working to End Homelessness and Hunger” as well as Flexible Resources Data Driving Solutions conference in Atlanta.
Mr. Garcia is a Certified Health Care Quality Manager by the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians (ABQAURP). This certification underscores his commitment to ensuring the highest standard of quality and efficiency in healthcare delivery. Mr. Garcia has also completed the Leadership Institute with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) gaining the necessary skills and knowledge to lead the organization in delivering high quality healthcare services and financial management.
Ivonne Ruiz, Psy.D.
Ivonne Ruiz, Psy.D., is a licensed Psychologist with over 25 years of clinical experience working clinically with severe mental illness. She completed her doctoral degree at Nova Southeastern University’s Center for Psychological Studies where she obtained extensive experience in working with children and adolescents. Afterwards, she completed her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral residency at Citrus Health Network (1999-2001) as a supervisor in the assessment and emergency services department. Following completion of her residency, she became a clinical coordinator for the School Based Clinical Services Program (2001-2007) where she oversaw the provision of intensive therapeutic on- site clinical services. Her work in this community setting focused on providing intensive wrap around services in order to preserve the in-home placement. Additionally, she worked closely with the training program, directly supervising both pre-doctoral interns as well as post doctoral residents in Outpatient Psychotherapy (2001-2007), as well as in the Child Crisis Stabilization Unit (CCSU) (2001-2014). Dr. Ruiz then served as clinical coordinator in the Residential Inpatient Treatment Services Program (RITS), (2007-2014) a Statewide Inpatient Psychiatric Program (SIPP), which provides behaviorally based services to children and adolescents with significant behavioral and emotional difficulties. Additionally, the program focuses on the treatment of juvenile sexual offenders, as such, she has worked closely with the Juvenile Division of the Miami Dade County Courts. As clinical supervisor for the Foster Care Program, (2014-2015) Dr. Ruiz also worked to develop a manualized group treatment protocol for survivors of human trafficking. Since 2015, Dr. Ruiz has served as clinical coordinator to the Utilization Management program working closely with Medicaid Managed Care companies as well as providers to ensure positive clinical outcomes. In 2021, care coordination teams were integrated with utilization management in order to improve clinical outcomes and decrease recidivism rates in our more intensive programs, including crisis stabilization and SIPP. Additionally, Dr. Ruiz implemented and supervises the chronic care management program focusing on the provision of care coordination to Medicare patients who have chronic conditions, and as of 2025 will be supervising the Accountable Care Organization (ACO).
Strategies To Reduce Unit Costs & Improve Contract Profitability With Mainstay Life Services & Spindletop Center
Reducing service expenses and increasing revenue for services are the foundation for improving profitability. Join Ms. Esper, Chief Financial Officer of Mainstay Life Services, as she shares proven strategies for reducing unit costs and negotiating improved contracted rates.
During this session:
- Identify the three most impactful tools for reducing unit costs and the situations in which they are most effective
- Discuss what homework should be done before any rate negotiation and what metrics should be prepared to share during the meeting
- Learn how strategies to reduce unit costs and increase rates can be factored into an organization’s strategic plan and annual budget
Jodie Esper
Jodie joined Mainstay as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2017. As CFO, Jodie is tasked with implementing the infrastructure and systems needed to support Mainstay’s mission, operations (including facilities, fleet, and information technology), financial objectives, and strategic initiatives. In 2023, Jodie became the CEO of enTRUST Services LLC, a subsidiary of Mainstay that provides comprehensive financial services that enrich the lives of people with disabilities.
Jodie has more than 25 years of accounting experience, with 17 years in a leadership capacity with nonprofit human services organizations. Jodie is passionate about the work as the mom of a son with an intellectual disability. She is an advocate and strong supporter in the disability community.
Jodie received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) in accounting and a Master of Science degree in accounting from Robert Morris University in Moon Township, PA.
Denise LeBlanc
Denise LeBlanc, a Groves, TX native, holds both a BBA in Finance and MBA from Lamar University and has more than 35 years of experience in the financial and accounting fields. Denise is proud to work alongside talented, caring individuals who work hard to make a difference in the lives of our clients, and does so through the oversight of the Finance, Facilities Management, Fleet Management, and Consumer Benefits teams. In addition to being a published author and board member for three local non-profits, Denise is committed to ensuring the assets of Spindletop Center are utilized transparently, responsibly, and purposefully to promote healthy living in our community.
Knocking Down Tech Silos To Build A Financially Sustainable Future
Leveraging the right data is critical for financial leaders to be able to extract actionable insights, drive innovation, and revolutionize revenue operations. Join ContinuumCloud for an exploration of key metrics and data points every CFO needs to support long-term financial sustainability in their organizations.
Key areas of focus include:
- Managing Human Capital Margins by Role or Position: Understand how to track and optimize labor costs at the granular level to improve margins.
- Productivity Tracking with EHR and HCM Data: Learn how integrating data from EHR and HCM systems can streamline operations and enhance productivity.
- Performance Trends by Program: Leverage performance data to identify opportunities for program optimization and long-term financial growth.
Led by General Managers of Welligent and DATIS, Heather Prather and MJ Craig, this session will highlight how to unify data from multiple systems to increase productivity, improve outcomes, and secure your organization’s financial future in an increasingly competitive industry.
Gwen Koenig
Gwen Koenig brings 30 years of social work clinical and administrative experience as the Chief Of Strategic Growth for the Omni Family of Services, a national leader of child and family services in behavioral health, child welfare, and juvenile justice. Throughout her career, Gwen has led foster care, family preservation, and community mental health organizations. In 2016, Gwen transitioned from operations to business development and innovation in the human services space. She has represented companies throughout fifteen states and has been responsible for business procurement, strategic planning, grants management, staff development, and technology innovation in this role. Since 2016, Gwen has been an adjunct faculty at the Colorado State University School of Social Work, teaching courses in macro social work and nonprofit management. From 2021 to 2023, Gwen co-founded SigBee, a technology platform to improve workforce retention in human services.
Gwen holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Cincinnati. Gwen has presented at numerous national and international conferences, including a key presentation at the National Association of Child Care Workers in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She has served on various boards and committees with the Family Focused Treatment Association and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, among other trade organizations. Gwen resides in Fort Collins, CO where she enjoys the beautiful outdoors with her three sons, volunteers in her community, and keeps active with her rescue animals.
Denny Morrison, Ph.D.
Dr. Dennis Morrison is the owner of Morrison Consulting which has provided consulting services to the behavioral health information technology field since 2017. In that role, he serves as Chief Clinical Officer for Eleos Health and Chief Scientist for ContinuumCloud, providers of the Welligent EHR. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Clinical Officer for Netsmart Technologies from 2012 through 2017. From 2008-2012, he served as CEO of Centerstone Research Institute (CRI). CRI was recognized in IBM’s Smarter Planet Series and won the Best Practices Award from TDWI (Transforming Data With Intelligence) for Leading Innovations in Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing. From 1995-2008, Dr. Morrison was the CEO of one of the merger partners that created Centerstone – Center for Behavioral Health (CBH). Under his leadership, CBH won the Joint Commission of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) Ernest A. Codman Award for excellence in the use of outcomes measurement and the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Nicholas E. Davies Award for Excellence in the implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR). CBH is still the only organization in the world to have won both awards.
Academically, Dr. Morrison holds two master’s degrees in Psychology and Exercise Physiology from Ball State University. His doctorate is in Counseling Psychology also from Ball State University. In 2022, Ball State awarded him the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest award given to an alum. He is a prolific author, frequent presenter (including a TEDx talk), podcast host and co-inventor on a patent for a behavioral healthcare outcomes software product. He has served on numerous academic and non-profit boards and was a founder and board member for the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) now Global Leadership Exchange. He was an officer in the United States Navy and received his Aerospace Physiologist wings training, among others, members of TOPGUN in the physiological hazards of flight and land and water survival. He is a licensed, instrument-rated private pilot and triathlete completing 19 triathlons since turning 70.
MJ Craig
MJ Craig serves as the General Manager of DATIS e3, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the platform. With her deep understanding of product dynamics and a keen ability to translate complex customer needs into actionable strategies, MJ is dedicated to positioning DATIS e3 as the premier HCM & Payroll solution specifically designed for behavioral health organizations.
With over a decade of experience at DATIS and ContinuumCloud, MJ has been instrumental in the platform’s growth and success. Her innovative approach and forward-thinking vision have played an essential part in driving product enhancements that evolve the platform and support behavioral health leaders in achieving their mission. Under her leadership, DATIS e3 is not only advancing as a top-tier solution but also setting new standards for excellence in the industry.
Heather Prather
Financial Sustainability Through Participation In Provider Networking: The WakeMed Case Study For Increasing Consumer Volume
Contracts for consumer care are increasingly being awarded to larger organizations capable of simplifying payers’ referral, coordination, and data reporting needs. Mr. Klatt, Executive Director of WakeMed’s Behavioral Health Network, shares how and why he recently brought together 17 outpatient behavioral health organizations to win contracts that increase all organizations’ patient volumes and associated overall rates. This session will:
- Showcase how smaller organizations have partnered together to compete for larger contracts
- Examine critical performance and metrics required for developing high-performing behavioral health provider networks
- Learn about the national trend where providers are winning management contracts from payers, that they then subcontract out services to their peer organizations
Thomas Klatt
Behavioral health and substance use issues consistently top the list of priorities to address for communities throughout the United States, and Wake County is no exception. As the Executive Director of the Behavioral Health Network, Thomas Klatt is leading a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind strategy to help behavioral health patients receive the right care, in the right environment, at the right time. Tom is stationed at WakeMed, the convening entity of an innovative effort to bring together behavioral health leaders in the county and region in developing a multi-disciplinary integrated network of inpatient, outpatient, and community-based organizations. Together, their goal is to provide enhanced access to the care behavioral health patients and their families need and deserve.
Tom brings more than 35 years of experience in behavioral health care delivery to WakeMed and Wake County.
Surprise! Sustainability & Survival In A Time Of Market Chaos
To go the distance and stay competitive amidst changing market trends executive teams performance is key, but improving performance begins with an internal examination of programs and services, finances, technology systems, staffing, operations….and the list goes on. Balance and growth come from monitoring and managing these internal processes and identifying the need to make strategic adjustments along the way. In her closing keynote, Monica E. Oss will discuss planning not only for success and sustainability, but for performance excellence and the necessary characteristics for becoming a performance-based organization.
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, 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.