This award is a recognition of exceptional leadership and meaningful contributions to healthcare. The individuals listed below have dedicated themselves to improving healthcare practices, enhancing patient outcomes, and driving positive change in the industry.
Being named among the 2024 SCALE Community 56 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders highlights the significant impact they have made—not just within the field but also in the lives of the people they serve. This prestigious recognition places them among a forward-thinking community of innovators shaping the future of healthcare.
Their expertise, passion, and commitment to excellence have truly set them apart. We applaud their accomplishments and celebrate their remarkable achievements.
Congratulations to these outstanding leaders—your dedication inspires us all, and we’re proud to honor you as part of this distinguished group redefining the healthcare industry.
SCALE Community is thrilled to introduce the 2024-2025 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders—a tribute to individuals who are transforming the healthcare industry with their dedication, innovation, and leadership.
This year’s list celebrates 56 remarkable trailblazers who are driving meaningful advancements, improving patient outcomes, and inspiring communities to reimagine what’s possible in healthcare. Their work embodies progress, resilience, and the vision needed to shape the future.
Adam Richichi serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Archway Dental Partners, a multi-specialty Dental Partnership Organization headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut. With an MBA from Adelphi University, Richichi brings 20+ years of experience in the dental industry, technology start-ups and as founder of Novo Strategy Advisors. Under Richichi’s leadership, Archway Dental Partners has expanded its network to support over 100 dentists across more than 30 locations in Connecticut, offering integrated oral healthcare across all dental specialties. The organization emphasizes a partnership-driven model, focusing on clinical excellence and a collaborative culture. In a recent episode of The Dental Economist Show, Richichi discussed strategies for scaling dental practices with a culture-first approach, the importance of work-life integration, and the role of technology in modern dentistry. Today Archway finds itself to be the largest provider of care in the state of Connecticut. Adam also is a frequent speaker on leadership, healthcare and innovation. For more information about Adam Richichi and Archway Dental Partners, you can visit archway.dental or view his professional profile on LinkedIn
Al Wilson leads StrideCare, a multi-specialty physician group specializing in vascular, podiatry, and wound care, with 60 locations across five major markets in Texas. Under his leadership, StrideCare has achieved sustainable double-digit growth year over year, transforming it into one of Texas’s fastest-growing healthcare organizations. By integrating diverse physician groups into a unified, high-performing organization, Al has fostered strong physician engagement and alignment, creating a culture that delivers measurable value for patients, healthcare providers, and insurers.
Known for his collaborative and empowering leadership style, Al has a proven track record of transforming physician groups, streamlining operations, and driving sustainable growth. His vision for StrideCare focuses on expanding its leadership in lower extremity health, improving patient outcomes, and building a sustainable model for growth and innovation that benefits the communities it serves. Al’s commitment to operational excellence and physician-driven care has established StrideCare as a trusted partner in healthcare.
Alan Cooper has over 25 years of experience in strategic organizational transformation, with a specific focus on organizational development (OD), operational excellence (Lean, Six Sigma), patient experience, and leadership development. His work consistently emphasizes achieving an organization’s strategic mission.
Dr. Cooper is currently the Chief Performance Officer and Vice President for Organizational Learning and Innovation at Catholic Health on Long Island, NY. In this role, he is responsible for the overall strategy and execution of talent development and employee experience, as well as other performance-related initiatives. He and his team created the Center for Performance Excellence, a comprehensive “corporate university” responsible for developing leaders at all levels and enhancing the skills, knowledge, and abilities of all employees across a large integrated health system.
He previously worked with several organizations, including White Plains Hospital in New York, where he served as Chief People and Performance Officer, responsible for the overall talent strategy of the organization and the development of programs that attracted, retained, motivated, and developed the talent needed to drive a performance-based culture.
Dr. Cooper has also worked with several organizations across industries, providing consulting services and education in operational excellence, organizational development, change management, patient experience, learning, and leadership development.
Alejandro Fernandez is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 30 years of experience leading and growing multi-site physician practice management companies. He is the CEO of Synergy Orthopedic Specialists, the largest private orthopedic medical group in San Diego, CA, with over 50 providers, surgeons, and specialists across 15 locations, four physical therapy sites, an MRI center, and Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Alex has a proven track record of delivering operational excellence, financial performance, and strategic expansion in various specialties, including dermatology, gastroenterology, and orthopedics. He is also an advisor, investor, and board member for private equity and venture capital businesses in the healthcare sector. He holds a master’s degree in business from the University of Miami and is a certified medical practice executive (CMPE) through the American College of Medical Practice Executives. He also received the 2024 Practice Executive of the Year from the American Alliance of Orthopedic Executives.
Alex Aptekman serves as Chief Transformation Officer at Invo Healthcare, an Ares Management backed healthcare staffing platform.
He focuses on special situations and turnarounds at private-equity backed healthcare businesses, where he leverages his investing and operations background.
Alex served as COO at 360 Behavioral Health, a provider of behavioral, mental health, and respite services. Prior to this role, Alex held interim CEO and CFO roles at Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres, the largest network of addiction treatment clinics in Canada. He has led DeNovos, M&A, IT implementations, virtual therapy, divestitures, recruiting, go-to-market and various other transformation initiatives across departments.
Alex began his career in finance working in global investment banking at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Union Square Advisors, working on M&A and capital raising mandates across sectors, before moving into healthcare private equity at DW Healthcare Partners.
Alex holds an MBA in Healthcare Management from the Wharton School and a BBA, Summa Cum Laude, in Finance from the Schulich School of Business.
Dr. Alexander R. Vaccaro is an internationally acclaimed spine surgeon and the President of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute. He also serves as the Richard H. Rothman Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University, where he holds joint appointments in orthopaedics and neurosurgery. A prolific researcher and educator, Dr. Vaccaro has authored more than 900 peer-reviewed publications and over 65 textbooks in the field of spine care.
Named the #1 global expert in spine surgery by Expertscape, Dr. Vaccaro is widely recognized for his contributions to spinal trauma, degenerative spine conditions, and minimally invasive techniques. He earned his medical degree from Georgetown University, completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University, and received fellowship training at the University of California, San Diego. He also holds a PhD in spinal trauma and an MBA from Temple University’s Fox School of Business.
In addition to his clinical leadership, Dr. Vaccaro is an entrepreneur and healthcare innovator, serving as CEO of Parkway Clinical Laboratories and managing partner at RBx Capital.
Amir Dan Rubin has focused his career on helping transform health care. He currently serves as CEO & Founding Managing Partner of Healthier Capital, a venture capital firm focused on technology-powered healthcare innovation. He previously served as Chair & CEO of the technology-enabled primary care company, One Medical, which he took public in 2020 and which was acquired by Amazon in 2023. At Amazon, he launched One Medical membership as an add-on to Prime. Prior to that, Amir served as an EVP at the Fortune 5 company, UnitedHealth Group and its Optum division. Prior to that, he served as CEO at Stanford University’s health system, COO at UCLA’s health system, COO at SUNY Stony Brook’s health system, and in leadership roles at Memorial Hermann’s health system. He has twice received an EY “Entrepreneur of the Year” award.
Amit Dhir is a healthcare entrepreneur and visionary leader with a strong track record of building and scaling innovative therapy services. He is the Founder and CEO of All Care Therapies, a rapidly growing provider of speech, occupational, and physical therapy solutions across multiple states. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a trusted network of over 300 therapists, delivering care through both in-person and telehealth platforms.
Prior to founding All Care Therapies, Amit launched and scaled one of the top SaaS platforms for the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) industry, which became the third-largest in its sector before being acquired by a private equity firm. He also co-founded SLP-tele, a leading digital speech therapy company, and manages the Dhir Family Office, which invests in healthcare and real estate ventures.
Amit holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and brings a technology-forward mindset to healthcare delivery. Beyond his business ventures, he is committed to giving back through a nonprofit foundation focused on women’s financial literacy and children’s health.
Andre currently serves as Chief Executive Officer for the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute LLC, a multispecialty Orthopedic practice in the greater Chicago area.
The practice consists of approximately 165 Physicians with specialties in Orthopedics, Rheumatology, Pain Management, Physiatry, Podiatry and Geriatrics. IBJI also employs ~ 275 Physical and Occupational Therapists and 125 midlevel Providers with a total employee count of ~ 2,250. He reports directly to the Board of Managers of IBJI and supervises both strategic and operational aspects of the organization. IBJI has ~$300m in Clinical Revenues/year, with an additional ~$200m in Ancillary and ASC Income.
He serves on the Value Based Committee for the OrthoForum group and also oversees IBJI’s “OrthoSync” program, a convener organization that serves clients in CMS’s BPCI-A Model as well as CJR models on behalf of primarily Orthopedic Practices.
Previous to his CEO role, Andre served as Director of Ancillary and Value Based Medicine Service lines for IBJI. Along with these responsibilities, he was the CEO and Managing Member of Elevate LLC, a healthcare consulting and services company formed in 2010, specializing in Ancillary and Value service line initiation and expansion with specific alignment to Bundled Payment and Risk models and strategies.
Between 2005 and 2010 he was the Director of IBJI’s Rehabilitation Services network, the 3rd largest outpatient Physical Therapy provider in the Chicagoland area.
Andre’s professional passion focuses on modern day healthcare redesign strategies. He believes strongly in an “agile” management style so leaders can develop and function to their fullest capacity, and teams can adapt to rapid market fluctuations in a similar fashion.
He is an advocate for transformational and transparent activities beyond the current state of healthcare, along with a renewed mindset towards truly integrated practice patterns, all designed in a Patient centric manner.
From an actuarial perspective, Andre believes that the future models for effective healthcare delivery platforms are yet to be developed. As such, one has the ability to be truly creative and innovative, as long as you operate from a sound foundational platform. Data and Informatics are key determinants of success when effectively integrated with applied and timely execution of qualitative management decisions.
Growth creates strain – it is a normal component of healthy environments. The ability to navigate opportunities and simultaneously achieve consistent and optimal outcomes should always define organizational success.
Andrew Colbert is a Senior Managing Director at Ziegler and a founding member of Ziegler’s Healthcare investment banking practice. He specializes in advising physician practices on strategic and financing alternatives including mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. Andrew is also involved in Ziegler’s principal investing efforts and serves on the Strategic Leadership Committee at Ziegler.
Andrew has completed over 65 M&A and capital raising transactions totaling over $5.7 billion in value across a wide spectrum of healthcare subsectors including physician groups/MSOs (including: primary care, radiology, orthopedics, GI, women’s health, urology, emergency medicine, anesthesia, hospitalist), healthcare information technology, telemedicine, wellness, managed care, provider and payor outsourcing, and revenue cycle management. He takes pride in developing long-term relationships with his clients and brings creative structuring insights and deep domain expertise to achieve premium outcomes.
He is the author of over 25 publications, is the recipient of the Emerging Leaders Award by the M&A Advisor, and is a frequent speaker at many conferences and industry events.
Prior to joining Ziegler, Andrew was an investment banker in the healthcare group at Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co.
As Chair of the Healthcare Practice Group and Co-Chair of the Healthcare Private Equity Team, Angela Humphreys leads the firm’s national healthcare practice. Angela is a go-to lawyer for private equity firms on complex transactions in the healthcare industry. She began her career in public accounting and has more than 20 years of experience working exclusively in the healthcare M&A space. With both deep corporate and healthcare regulatory experience, Angela is highly skilled in developing innovative solutions to help clients achieve their business goals while navigating the complex healthcare regulatory, tax and employee benefits landscape. She has counseled on hundreds of transactions in the healthcare industry, including physician practice management platforms, ambulatory surgery centers, health plans, healthcare information technology companies, behavioral health, home health, hospice, clinical research organizations and hospitals and health systems, among others. She has been recognized nationally for her work in the healthcare private equity space, including by Mergers and Acquisitions Magazine as one of the Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A and by Law360 as Health Law MVP of the Year.
Anthony Brown is an experienced healthcare executive with a strong background in leading organizational strategy and operations. He currently serves as the CEO of OrthoIllinois, where he has been driving growth and operational excellence since January 2022. Prior to his role as CEO, Anthony was the Chief Strategy Officer at OrthoIllinois, focusing on strategic initiatives to enhance business performance. He has also held senior leadership positions at Northwestern Medicine as Vice President of Operations and at Centegra Health System, where he was instrumental in clinical effectiveness and innovation.
Anthony Milonas is the Chief Executive Officer of Ascend Aesthetic Partners, a management services organization (MSO) dedicated to advancing excellence in aesthetic medicine. With a career spanning over three decades, Milonas has held executive leadership roles across healthcare, logistics, and global operations.
Prior to his role at Ascend, Milonas served as President and CEO of Canadian Orthodontic Partners, Canada’s largest orthodontic dental support organization, where he led the expansion of over 72 affiliated practices across Canada and into the U.S. He also held executive positions at CBI Health Group, We Care Home Health Services, Barnes Group Inc., and DHL, gaining extensive experience in scaling healthcare and logistics businesses.
Milonas holds a Master’s Certificate in Healthcare Management from York University, an MBA in Marketing from Eastern Michigan University, and a BBA in Finance from Bishop’s University. He is fluent in English, French, and Greek, and actively participates in leadership organizations, including the Young Presidents’ Organization and the Canadian Abilities Foundation.
At Ascend Aesthetic Partners, Milonas focuses on building a collaborative network of top-tier plastic surgeons, enhancing patient care, and fostering innovation in aesthetic medicine.
Axel E. Lapica is CEO at The Smilist Management, a dental organization based in Great Neck, New York, specializing in dental care with over 45 offices in the New York Metro area.
Prior to his association with The Smilist, Lapica served as Senior Vice President at DaVita Kidney Care, where he oversaw dialysis operations across the Midwest, managing a portfolio exceeding $1 billion, which included over 400 clinics and 6,000 teammates. He also co-founded and served as CEO of Symbeo, a primary care practice focused on serving the working uninsured. Additionally, he gained consulting experience as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company and held roles at Armstrong World Industries and Arthur Andersen.
Academically, Lapica holds an MBA in Strategy & Marketing from The Wharton School and dual degrees in Accounting from Florida International University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) in Florida and has completed Level 3 of the CFA program.
Aytan Dahukey is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group at Sheppard Mullin, a leader of the firm’s Private Equity Team and a member of the firm’s Healthcare and Emerging Growth/Venture Capital Teams. He has represented private equity funds in numerous large leveraged buy-out, add-on and divestiture transactions and has also represented owners of a wide variety of private businesses in sales to private equity funds and other strategic investors.
Within the healthcare industry, Aytan’s practice focuses on public and private mergers and acquisitions and general corporate counseling representing a wide variety of healthcare-related for-profit and non-profit clients across the country. He represents private equity funds, growth equity funds, search funds and other sponsors in platform structuring, acquisitions and growth investments in the healthcare services, health IT and medical device sectors, serves as outside general counsel and buy-side acquisition counsel for private equity- and growth-equity backed portfolio companies and also acts as lead outside general counsel and sell side M&A counsel for a variety of health insurance companies and health plans, independent physician associations, large single- and multi-specialty healthcare provider groups, behavioral health providers and institutions, urgent care providers, ambulatory surgery center providers, hospitals and hospital-affiliated foundations, home health and hospice agencies, provider management services organizations, digital health providers, healthcare IT companies, accountable care organizations and other providers of healthcare services. Aytan has assisted with cutting-edge transactions stemming from healthcare reform for several years. In addition to leading numerous recent high-profile merger and acquisition transactions in the health insurance and healthcare service spaces, he has assisted in the organization and structuring of multiple hospital foundation clinics and integration of physician practices with foundations and regularly works with clients in efforts to develop value-based care arrangements including joint-ventures, value-based and risk-based contracts and other innovative healthcare arrangements.
Barbara Wachsman is a nationally recognized expert in employer-sponsored healthcare strategy, with over 25 years of experience shaping innovative benefits programs and advancing value-based care models. She served as Director of Strategy & Engagement for Enterprise Benefits at The Walt Disney Company for more than a decade, where she oversaw a $2.5 billion benefits budget. During her tenure, Barbara led the creation of Disney’s Strategy Lab, an innovation hub for healthcare delivery, and negotiated one of the largest direct, full-risk value-based care agreements in the U.S.
After retiring from Disney, Barbara transitioned to the healthcare delivery side, joining Galileo, a digital-first primary care provider, as Head of Employer Strategy. In this role, she collaborates with employers to implement virtual and value-based care solutions that improve access, quality, and affordability for their workforces.
Barbara also serves as a Senior Advisor to Frazier Healthcare Partners, an $8 billion healthcare-focused private equity firm. She sits on the boards of the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy and QueensCare Health Centers, and is a founding member of the Employer Health Innovation Roundtable (EHIR). Additionally, she serves on the Executive Committee of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Barbara holds dual master’s degrees in Public Health and City Planning/Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Arts from Scripps College.
Ben Sherman, CFA, has held executive roles within DocGo, including Executive Vice President of Corporate Development. In this capacity, he played a significant role in the company’s growth strategy, overseeing key acquisitions and partnerships. His background includes experience in financial management and corporate development across various organizations.
Bruno Piquin is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 25 years of experience in payer operations, value-based care, and Medicare Advantage leadership. Since 2023, he has served as Chief Executive Officer of Ensure Data Solutions, a Miami-based healthcare analytics company that supports health plans and providers in navigating the complexities of value-based care.
Prior to joining Ensure Data Solutions, Bruno held senior leadership roles at several major healthcare organizations. He began his career at UnitedHealth Group, where he held various roles, including Executive Director of the SecureHorizons/AARP Division, Executive Director of the Evercare Division, Vice President of Operations for the UnitedHealthcare of Florida Division, Director of Operations Improvement, and Manager of Financial Integration. In 2008, he moved to Amerigroup Corporation as the Chief Operating Officer for Senior & Specialty Services. In 2010, he joined Windsor Health Group as Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Medical Delivery. From 2013 to 2015, he worked at Humana as Vice President and Leader of the Northern Division of Senior Products. Bruno then moved to CarePlus Health Plans as President in 2015.
At Ensure Data Solutions, Bruno leads the development of analytics tools and services that help healthcare organizations transition from fee-for-service to value-based models. The company’s platform offers real-time data aggregation, EHR connectivity, and modules for risk adjustment, quality measurement, and care management. These tools are designed to simplify data collection, improve clinical documentation, and enhance patient outcomes.
Bruno holds an MBA in Executive Management from the University of Miami and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from the Darla Moore School of Business.
Burt Rubin is the Chief Executive Officer of Curalta Foot & Ankle, a leading integrated network of podiatry and foot and ankle care providers in the northeastern United States. Under his leadership, Curalta has expanded to 61 locations across New York and New Jersey, offering comprehensive services for a wide range of conditions, including sports injuries, pediatric podiatry, traumas, and fractures.
With a background in healthcare operations, Rubin has a demonstrated history of working in the industry, previously serving as a Chief Operating Officer . He holds a degree from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
Rubin’s vision for Curalta centers on uniting the fragmented podiatry industry to create an integrated offering for foot and ankle care, aiming to achieve better outcomes for patients . He emphasizes clinical excellence, care coordination, and outstanding customer service, fostering a team-based approach that benefits both patients and providers.
In 2023, Rubin led Curalta through a significant partnership with NewSpring and BPEA, securing investments to fuel continued growth and expansion . This strategic move aligns with Curalta’s mission to provide holistic, high-quality care throughout the course of patients’ lives.
Committed to professional development, Rubin has implemented programs that allow associates to own equity in Curalta, with 90% of associates being shareholders as of 2024 . This initiative reflects his dedication to fostering a collaborative and invested workforce.
With 20 years of progressive executive experience in physician practice management, Cara brings both operational skill and aspirational vision to First Fertility. In particular, she has a history of managing through change and rapid growth while prioritizing patient care and instilling a culture of excellence. Prior to joining First Fertility, Ms. Reymann was President of a leading Midwestern fertility practice. Before entering the fertility sector, she was Market President of PEGI Solutions where she led growth strategy and operations for the company’s largest single specialty practice, Capital Digestive Care from 2010 to 2022. During that time, the group grew from 57 physicians to more than 100 and was recognized as one of the largest and most esteemed GI specialty groups in the country.
W. Carl Whitmer is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ArchWell Health, a national healthcare organization dedicated to providing comprehensive, value-based primary care to adults aged 60 and older. Since its inception in March 2020, Whitmer has led ArchWell Health in its mission to enhance healthcare access and quality for seniors across the United States.
With over 25 years of executive leadership experience in healthcare services, Whitmer has a diverse background encompassing managed care, acute care, behavioral health, and physician practice management. His previous roles include serving as Chief Executive Officer at IASIS Healthcare from 2000 to 2017 and as an Operating Advisor at Clayton Dubilier & Rice from 2018 to 2020.
Under Whitmer’s leadership, ArchWell Health has rapidly expanded its footprint, opening multiple centers nationwide to meet the growing demand for senior-focused primary care. The organization’s approach emphasizes longer appointment times, integrated care teams, and community engagement to address the unique health needs of older adults.
Whitmer holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Western Kentucky University.
Cathy Kowalski is a seasoned healthcare executive utilizing her 30+ years of industry experience to bring together a powerful combination of business acumen, physician relationships and clinical knowledge to deliver a superior kind of surgical company. She serves as co-founder, president and chief operating officer at Lync health Partners.
As a Registered Nurse and founder of four different companies, she brings a unique perspective to the world of healthcare entrepreneurship.
Prior to founding Lync, Kowalski served as the chief operating officer of 7 Springs Orthopedics, a comprehensive practice treating muscle, bone and joint injuries. In 2006, Kowalski founded Meridian Surgical Partners, where she spent 12 years as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Meridian focused on ambulatory surgery center development, acquisition and management. In 2001, she cofounded Surgical Alliance Corporation, an orthopedic specialty surgical hospital company. Ms. Kowalski served as a co-founder and vice president of OrthoExcel, Inc. a hospital management company focused on contractual management of orthopedic hospital business service lines.
Ms. Kowalski has served on the board of Women in Healthcare since 2021 in an effort to help develop other women in healthcare to positions of leadership. Ms. Kowalski is published and contributes to a variety of industry publications. Ms. Kowalski is married and lives in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Chris Kane is the CEO of Allergy Partners, a role he assumed in September 2023. He has been deeply involved with the organization for the years prior as a board member, where he played a key role in facilitating its growth and transition from a physician-led platform to a family office-owned model. Prior to joining Allergy Partners, Chris served as CEO of West Dermatology from 2014 to 2021, leading the organization for seven years and driving its success in the dermatology sector.
Christopher Hendrix is a Managing Director and Co-head of Underwriting at TPG Twin Brook Capital Partners, overseeing underwriting teams focused on the structuring, diligence, execution, and management of investments with a primary focus within the healthcare sector. Prior to joining TPG Twin Brook in 2016, Chris served as an Associate at Chase Capital, a division of JPMorgan Chase. Chris received a B.S. degree in Business Administration, summa cum laude, with a concentration in Finance from Fordham University.
Dale Hockel is the Chief Operating Officer at Great Expressions Dental Centers (GEDC), a leading dental support organization with over 250 practices across nine states. He joined GEDC in November 2023, bringing with him more than two decades of executive leadership experience in healthcare operations and multi-site service organizations.
Prior to his role at GEDC, Dale served as Chief Operating Officer at Dental Care Alliance (DCA) from 2018 to 2022, where he oversaw operational performance and growth across more than 400 affiliated dental practices. He also held senior leadership positions at Alliance HealthCare Services, TriMedx (a subsidiary of Ascension Health), and served in advisory roles at Traders Advisory Services, focusing on dental support organizations.
Dale holds a Master of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Bachelor of Arts in Management Science from Buena Vista University.
Daniel E. Greenleaf is the Chief Executive Officer of Duly Health and Care, the largest
independent, multi-specialty physician-directed medical group in the nation. Duly has
more than 950 primary care and specialty physicians and approximately 6,000 team members, in over 190 locations; serving one million patients in greater Chicagoland. The Duly
Health and Care brand encompasses three medical groups – DuPage Medical Group,
Quincy Medical Group and The South Bend Clinic and includes five Ambulatory Surgery
Centers, five labs and 58 infusion chairs. Our value-based care service line provides
integrated care for 230,000 partial risk and 100,000 full risk lives (Medicare Advantage and
ACO Reach).
Dan is a six-time healthcare CEO including prior roles as President and CEO of Modivcare;
President and CEO of BioScrip, Inc.; Chairman and CEO of Home Solutions Infusion Services; and President and CEO of Coram Specialty Services.
Dan graduated from Denison University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and holds
a Master of Business Administration in Health Administration from the University of Miami.
A military veteran, he was a captain & navigator in the United States Air Force & served in
Operation Desert Storm.
Dan Mendelson is the Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Health, a business unit within JPMorgan Chase & Co. dedicated to transforming employer-sponsored healthcare. In this role, he leads initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality, equity, and affordability of healthcare for the firm’s employees and, by extension, the broader U.S. workforce.
Before his tenure at Morgan Health, Dan founded Avalere Health, a Washington, D.C.–based healthcare advisory company, where he served as CEO. He also held the position of Operating Partner at Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, a private equity firm specializing in healthcare investments. Earlier in his career, Dan served as Associate Director for Health at the Office of Management and Budget during the Clinton administration, overseeing health-related budget and policy matters.
Dan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin College and a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Dana Wang, MD, is the co-founder of Rivia Mind, a comprehensive outpatient mental health service group with a mission to set a new standard for quality of care, and to make it accessible and affordable to the community.
Dr. Wang graduated on the Dean’s Honors List from the University of California, Berkeley. She pursued a medical degree at Ben Gurion University, affiliated with Columbia Medical Center, where she was elected class representative and received the Dean’s List Honor-Distinguished Service Award. Afterward, Dr. Wang completed her psychiatry residency training at Harvard Medical School, during which she also completed a fellowship in psychodynamic psychotherapy at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute.
Dr. Wang has presented her work at local, national and international conferences, and co-authored book chapters and peer-reviewed articles. She is an expert on treating intergenerational trauma and family conflict and is currently authoring her first book on the subject.
Daniel Greenleaf serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Duly Health and Care, the largest independent, multi-specialty physician-directed medical group in the United States. With a network of over 950 physicians across more than 190 locations, Duly Health and Care provides comprehensive healthcare services to approximately one million patients in the greater Chicagoland area.
Bringing nearly 30 years of leadership experience in healthcare services, Daniel has held executive roles in several prominent organizations. Prior to joining Duly Health and Care, he served as President and CEO of ModivCare, a provider of integrated supportive care solutions focused on improving health outcomes. His previous roles include President and CEO positions at BioScrip, Inc., Home Solutions Infusion Services, and Coram Specialty Infusion Services.
Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Denison University and a Master of Business Administration in Health Administration from the University of Miami. He is also a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served as an officer and navigator, including a tour during the first Gulf War.
Darren possesses a wealth of experience in governmental affairs and lobbying within the dynamic healthcare industry. He has extensive experience solving complex issues, such as working with legislators, media, public relations personnel, executive
administration officials, trade associations and others to resolve significant payor-provider network contract terminations. His proficiency has been instrumental in forging valuable relationships with state and federal legislators around the country. Recognized for his blend of business acumen and legal prowess, Darren has played a pivotal role as a trusted business partner and advisor to both the Boards of Directors and Executive Leadership Teams.
Prior to DLA Piper Darren served as SVP & Chief Government Affairs Officer at South Florida’s largest publicly traded healthcare company, where he established a federal and state Government Affairs department responsible for bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars in additional revenues for the company over a decade.. His strategic, proactive lobbying efforts have secured state and federal appropriations, budget increases, and other legislative wins for clients. Darren has also been instrumental in shaping federal policies and landmark legislations such as the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the CARES Act, and the No Surprises Act. In state capitals across the country, Darren has driven Medicaid revenue growth via the legislative process, shaped healthcare provider and payor legislation, and built crucial relationships with legislators and policymakers. Darren has also proven to be a formidable force in preventing legislative proposals that would have been detrimental to the business interests of his clients and affected citizenry. Darren is a frequent public speaker on state and federal healthcare laws and the importance of advocacy.
CREDENTIALS
Education
J.D., University of Miami School of Law cum laude
Articles and Comments Editor,
University of Miami Law Review
B.A., Pennsylvania State University
Admissions
Florida
EXPERIENCE
Dave’s views on DSO market trends, strategy and execution are informed by his uniquely holistic vantage point having served in a variety of roles across a number of DSOs including: CEO; COO; CAO, CIO; and leadership roles within dental RCM, specialty operations, and lab service lines. Dave joined Absolute Dental in 2016. Absolute Dental operates nearly 40 practices across Nevada, and today is proudly the largest Medicaid provider in Nevada. Absolute Dental also offers holistic dental care under the mantra of “all dentistry one place,” to help deliver high quality, coordinated care to patients as efficiently and conveniently as possible.
In addition to his CEO and Chairman role at Absolute Dental, Dave also serves as board director of Great Expressions Dental Centers and is an active participant on the investment committee at Dental Innovation Alliance (DIA).
Dave Fitzgerald is a visionary and strategic chief executive with proven skills building and scaling healthcare organizations through solid decision-making in all functional areas of physician companies. Create durable platforms that foster physician enablement and enhance the patient experience with a focus on patient outcomes. Dave defines and executes on strategy by recruiting and developing an elite senior leadership team and by creating a collaborative environment—all aligned with a shared purpose to inspire and achieve key objectives. He can drive accountability through KPIs resulting in superior economic results, growth, optimization of resources and efficient and effective processes.
Dave has held multiple C-suite roles in his career. Most recently as a Principal at Burst Advisors where he is an advisor focused on independent physician strategy, growth, strategic partnerships, group and ASC market share, orthopedic payment bundling, medical device purchasing bundling, and market consolidation. He works with private equity firms to develop and execute their specialty physician platform initiatives. During 2019, led the operations for USMD Health System and WellMed to rebuild specialty services, expand cancer treatment operations and restore growth to their surgical hospitals. He also oversaw operations for the $2B DFW market in Medicare Advantage (Value Based Care) with over 100k lives and the only 5-star plan in DFW.
Dave was also the CEO at Frontier Derm Partners where he lead multi-state physician platform of 100+ dermatology providers in over 40 locations. He built strategy to focus on clinical quality in tandem with efficient and accountable operations. He drove vision of rapid and controlled change and developed dual branding strategy for regional areas. Dave also strengthened and enhanced ACGME Accredited Dermatology Residency Program to enhance provider experience and augment recruitment opportunity. Dave has lead teams through reorganization of field operations to scale for growth and efficiency and developed provider scorecard to provide transparent metrics for professional development and efficiency.
Dave earned a Bachelor or Science in Accounting from Brigham Young University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Utah.
Dr. David Luu is a medical doctor and tech entrepreneur focused on longevity science. As a philanthropist and a trained pediatric cardiac surgeon, he is on a mission to extend human healthspan. In his quest to revolutionize the field, Dr. Luu has founded multiple health tech platforms, including Hearty, a concierge longevity care app and services for high-performing leaders; Juisci, an AI-powered medical education app used by 100,000 healthcare professionals and researchers; and Longevity Docs, the first network dedicated to physicians pioneering precision and evidence-based practices in longevity medicine.
David Young serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Unified Women’s Healthcare, a leading women’s health company in the United States. In his role, he oversees the organization’s strategic direction and operations, aiming to enhance healthcare delivery for women nationwide.
Before joining Unified Women’s Healthcare, Mr. Young held several executive positions in the healthcare sector. He was the Global CEO of GenesisCare, an international oncology services provider operating in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Spain. Additionally, he served as President and CEO of Physicians Endoscopy, Inc., a gastrointestinal investment and management services provider for independent GI providers. His previous roles also include Chief Operating Officer of Privia Health, Inc., Chief Financial Officer of Smile Brands, Inc., and senior leadership positions at McKesson Specialty Health and US Oncology, Inc.
Originally from Scotland, Mr. Young holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting with Honors and an MBA from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), and Corporate Treasurer.
Dr. David Cook, MD, FAAFP is the Co-Chief Executive Officer of One Health Consulting Group, a physician-led organization based in Davidson, North Carolina. With over 35 years of experience in family medicine and healthcare leadership, Dr. Cook has been instrumental in developing sustainable, scalable, and effective primary care platforms that emphasize quality, cost-efficiency, provider wellness, and patient-centered care.
Dr. Cook co-founded Lakeside Family Physicians, one of the largest and most progressive primary care practices in Charlotte, NC. He also played a pivotal role in establishing the Novant Health Family Medicine Residency program in 2015. His leadership experience includes serving as Co-President of Holston Medical Group in North Carolina and as Senior Vice President of Population Health and Value-Based Care at Novant Health, where he led initiatives in clinical transformation, care coordination, and strategic growth.
At One Health, Dr. Cook continues to focus on reimagining and reengineering primary care delivery. He is recognized as a thought leader in value-based care and population health, working with various stakeholders—including medical groups, hospitals, payers, and government entities—to create systems that improve patient outcomes while reducing the total cost of care.
Dr. Cook earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed his residency at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center. He is board-certified in family medicine and continues to practice clinically, maintaining a strong connection to patient care.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. Cook is passionate about health equity, nutrition, exercise, and longevity. He enjoys fly fishing, boating, golf, hiking, travel, motorcycles, and music. He is also the co-founder and co-CEO of Modern Primary Care Consultants.
Dr. Deepak A. Kapoor is Chairman and Chief Ecosystem Officer of Solaris Health Holdings LLC and New York Market President for Integrated Medical Professionals, PLLC (IMP). He is certified by the American Board of Urology with extensive experience in oncologic and reconstructive surgery along with additional expertise in basic science research in molecular biology.
Dr. Kapoor is Clinical Professor of Urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Chairman of SCRUBS RRG, Past Chair of the LUGPA Health Policy Committee, and Past President of LUGPA. He has also served as a Director of UroPAC and Chairman of Access to Integrated Cancer Care. Dr. Kapoor was founder of the New York Urology Trade Association and Integrated Medical Foundation. In addition, he is a Fellow of the American College of Physician Executives.
Dr. Kapoor has published and lectured extensively on clinical, business and health policy issues and is Associate Editor of the journal Urology Practice. He serves on several medical advisory boards, including the New York State Governor´s Prostate Cancer Advisory Panel. Dr. Kapoor has received numerous accolades, including the 2011 AUA Ambrose-Reed socioeconomic essay award, the 2014 New York Section AUA Russell W. Lavengood distinguished service award and was recognized in 2018 by LUGPA for outstanding contributions to health policy. In 2023, Dr. Kapoor received a Lifetime Contribution Award from LUGPA for his efforts towards the preservation of independent medicine.
Dr. Scott Wise, a U.S. Army veteran, is President and Chief Executive Officer for Valor Healthcare, Inc. A graduate of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas, he also holds an MBA with a Focus in Healthcare Administration from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.
After leaving the Army in 1998, Dr. Wise was in private medical practice for 10 years before joining Valor in 2007. He has held successive roles at Valor beginning as a Clinic Medical Director before being named the company’s Chief Medical Officer/Chief of Staff, Chief Operating Officer, and now President/CEO since 2014.
Managing Director in William Blair’s Healthcare group in Chicago. Focus on innovation in healthcare delivery, which means companies improving access, outcomes, incentives, and costs, with winners across all populations of patients, providers, payers, and regulators.Received full-time MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2013. Prior education includes The Berklee College of Music (Performance, Jazz Guitar) and Duke University (B.S. Chemistry, Minor in Music). Music website: ednakayama.com.
Prior experience includes MyBuys Inc. (Ann Arbor, MI), Holcim (US) Inc. (Waltham, MA), and professional jazz guitar.
Erez I. Meltzer serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chairman of the Board at Nano-X Imaging Ltd. (Nanox), a company dedicated to transforming medical imaging through innovative technologies. He assumed the CEO role in late 2021, following two years as a board member.
With over 35 years of leadership experience, Mr. Meltzer has held executive positions across various global industries. His previous roles include Chairman of the Board at Hadassah Medical Center in Israel for six years, and leadership positions at companies such as Gadot Chemicals & Shipping Group, Africa Israel, Netafim, and Creo Scitex.
Mr. Meltzer’s educational background includes undergraduate studies at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and master’s degrees in Business Administration from both Boston University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
Under his leadership, Nanox focuses on making advanced medical imaging more accessible and affordable worldwide, aiming to improve early disease detection and healthcare outcomes.
G. Scott Herman is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of New Day Healthcare, a rapidly growing home-based care organization headquartered in Texas. With a career spanning over 30 years in healthcare, Herman has held nearly every operational and administrative role in home-based care, bringing a wealth of experience to his leadership.
Herman began his healthcare journey in 1984 as a paramedic and first responder. He later expanded his clinical expertise by serving as a Flight Nurse/Paramedic, Emergency Room Nurse, ICU Nurse, and Home Health and Hospice clinician. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Kansas Newman University and an Emergency Medical Intensive Care Technician (EMICT) certification from the University of Kansas.
In July 2020, amidst the challenges of a global pandemic, Herman founded New Day Healthcare with a mission to revolutionize home care delivery. Embracing the bold tagline “Burn the Ships,” the company has grown exponentially, now serving nearly 120,000 patients annually through a team of over 7,800 dedicated professionals across multiple states. New Day Healthcare offers a wide range of services, including Home Health, Hospice, Community Care, Pediatrics, and Private Pay.
Prior to founding New Day Healthcare, Herman held executive leadership positions at several prominent healthcare organizations, including Elara Caring, National Home Health Care, Jordan Health Services, Accellion Health, Harden Health Care Home Health/Hospice, North Mississippi Home Care, and Via Christi Home Care. His extensive experience has been instrumental in shaping New Day Healthcare’s innovative approach to home-based care.
Under Herman’s leadership, New Day Healthcare has been recognized for its commitment to redefining the standard for continuum-based care, focusing on People, Process, and Technology. The company’s innovative, AI-driven “Carelytics” care model has significantly enhanced patient outcomes while also reducing costs.
Herman’s visionary approach and dedication to transforming home-based care have established New Day Healthcare as a trailblazer in the industry.
Elevating healthcare solutions through research and innovation on a global scale.