2023 Speakers

Adam Barnhart, FSA, MAAA

Adam is a Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman, a global, independent professional services firm serving the insurance, employee benefits, and healthcare industries. His work focuses on healthcare, where he works with a diverse client base that includes Medicare Advantage organizations, Prescription Drug Plan sponsors, employer groups, providers, supplemental benefit organizations, and pharmacy manufacturers. He is passionate about improving the access, value, and outcomes across the healthcare industry, and working with his clients to help them meet their objectives.

Mina Chang, Ph.D.

Dr. Chang currently leads Ohio Department of Aging’s Analytics & Compliance division, using business intelligence to improve statewide delivery of long-term services and supports.

She is an accomplished leader and trusted advisor in large healthcare, public health, and human service delivery systems for a wide span of governments and national markets. Mostly recently, she was a senior executive and VP for Bethesda LC, a prominent long-term care provider on disabilities. She led all aspects of quality, training, and COVID response for its 3,000 employees nationwide.

She was formerly an assistant health commissioner for the New York City, one of the world’s largest health organizations. She led her team to improve health insurance and safety net services for all New Yorkers. She previously held various operations and quality leadership roles for the State of Ohio to improve access to and quality of care for more than three million Ohioans.

Dr. Chang is a frequent speaker at key industry forums and has served as a subject matter expert at MACPAC, SAMHSA, and CHCS. She earned her Ph.D. and Master of Public Administration from the Ohio State University.

Evelyn Chojnacki, MPH

Evelyn Chojnacki brings an extensive health plan background to Sword Health with over 19 years’ experience serving clients and members. This includes client management, health care program development, vendor assessment and integrations, market deployment and strategy. Evelyn joined Sword in early 2021 and remains focused on advocating for the needs of health plan partners while supporting the advancement of virtual care across the industry. This means promoting solutions positioned to deliver impactful clinical results and equitable member access to convenient care - all while tackling escalating healthcare costs. Outside of work, Evelyn is an active outdoor and travel enthusiast.

Keslie Crichton

Keslie is the Chief Sales Officer for Benelynk. In her role, she is not only responsible for new business development but also works on innovative partnerships to improve outreach strategies and health outcomes for our client’s members. At the core of BeneLynk’s services, Keslie and her team work to identify, document and solve member’s social determinant of health (SDoH) challenges by “leading with help”. This increases BeneLynk’s engagement rates across our integrated services while also providing our clients with crucial information they need to deliver care and improve their quality metrics.

Keslie has worked in managed care for over 25 years with a focus on SDoH solutions that improve members lives but also provide a return on investment for our clients. Keslie's passion lies in working on strategies that put members at the center while ensuring we deliver increased risk-adjusted revenue, quality performance, and member retention.

Keslie holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Regis University and worked toward her MBA and Masters in Healthcare Administration at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. She is also a licensed Realtor® and spends time serving volunteering for several non-profit organizations.

Joy Deinla

Archie Dey

Archie Dey leads the Consumer Experience and Insights efforts at SCAN. In his current role, Archie leads the strategic planning, design and implementation of initiatives which drives Member Satisfaction, Net Promoter Score and Retention. In addition, Archie leads the Consumer Insights function which uses qualitative and advanced analytic approaches to understand user’s unmet latent needs

Prior to SCAN, Archie has been a management consultant specializing in Strategy and Operations in Health Industry with focus on Consumer Experience.

Kacey Dugan

Helaine Fingold

Craig Fisher

Ken Gammon

Nikki Hungate, MS, MHA

Nikki Hungate, a long-time resident of the Western New York region, currently serves as the Senior Leader of Medicare & Government Programs Product Strategy at MVP Health Care. Utilizing the 17 years of experience in the health plan industry she is accountable for leading a team of product innovators that create and deliver a suite of high-quality government products that address the needs of the community in a customer-centric fashion, placing emphasis on those populations that are most vulnerable and underserved.

Nikki holds a Bachelor and Master of Science in Health Administration from Roberts Wesleyan College. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Charleston in the Executive Leadership program. Nikki has a passion for sharing knowledge, and also serves as an adjunct professor in the health sciences degree programs at Monroe Community College and Roberts Wesleyan College. In her free time, she volunteers as fundraising coordinator for the local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter in Rochester, NY.

Naomi Irvin

Naomi Irvin is a California native who relocated to North Carolina in 2006. She earned her undergraduate degree and MBA with a Marketing Certificate from East Carolina University (ECU). With over a decade of health insurance experience, Naomi currently leads a team of Compliance Consultants within the Sales, Marketing and Communications division of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Her focus is balancing business objectives with compliance requirements.

Billy Justice

Jenn Kerfoot

As Chief Experience Officer at FarmboxRx, Jenn Kerfoot is the head of Client and Member Experience Operations. In this role, Jenn leads the strategic planning, design, and implementation of initiatives that drive Member Satisfaction & Retention. Additionally, Jenn spearheads the Member Insights function using qualitative and advanced analytic approaches to understand the gaps in care and unmet needs of populations.

Jenn has helped companies articulate and achieve success across several aspects of the healthcare space. As a military veteran, Jenn brings leadership and vision to diverse audiences, and offers a unique perspective within start-ups and high-growth stage companies. With a passion for organizational mission and values, as well as the unique competitive advantage of establishing a strong culture, Jenn works with all departments to streamline processes and programs that integrate the member experience into every aspect of the business.

Lauren Flynn Kelly

Lauren Flynn Kelly is a managing editor with AIS Health, an MMIT company, where she has been covering health business issues ranging from drug benefits and specialty pharmacy to managed Medicare and Medicaid for the past 15 years. She served as editor of AIS Health’s Drug Benefit News (the predecessor to RADAR on Drug Benefits) from 2004 to 2005 and again from 2011 to 2016, and now manages RADAR on Medicare Advantage (formerly Medicare Advantage News). Lauren graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in English.

Gary Melis, RPh

Gary Melis is a Clinical Pharmacist for the past six years at Network Health, a local health insurance provider in Northeast and Southeast Wisconsin. He is currently one of two pharmacists involved making MTM calls in-house. His responsibilities also involve NCQA, pharmacy appeals, P&T Committee, Member and Provider relations.

Gary’s also has experience as pharmacy manager for a national long term care company, pharmacy manager for retail pharmacy chain, and Pharmacy Director for a National Health Care provider. He has also been a pharmacy instructor at local medical college family practice clinic.

Jeff Nathe

Jeff Nathe has over 30 years of experience in the Medicare Advantage industry, beginning in direct sales and moving into sales management. He has worked the last 15 years in Sales and Member Retention with a Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan in Arizona. This allows him to be involved in all aspects of the sales cycle, from marketing to retaining membership in a very mature and highly competitive marketplace.

Henry W. Osowski

Hank Osowski, a Founding Member of Strategic Health Group, is an experienced health care executive and strategist who has provided leadership to commercial, Medicare and Medicaid health plans for more than 30 years. He currently is the Managing Director of Strategic Health Group, a new boutique strategic and financial advisory firm dedicated to bringing seasoned leadership to enable health care organizations to succeed in a challenging and changing environment. He is an expert in Medicare Advantage and Medicaid long-term care strategies.

Formerly, as Senior Vice President Corporate Development, he was a key member of the senior leadership team that the company from a near death experience to an exceptionally strong financial position. He led SCAN Group's efforts to expand into seven additional California counties. Hank also led SCAN's entry into Arizona and served as the initial President of SCAN Health Plan Arizona and SCAN Long Term Care. The service area expansions represent approximately a quarter of SCAN's membership and added nearly $450 million to SCAN's revenue. He also led the organization's strategic planning efforts and initiated an innovation development regimen to seek improvements in care coordination practices and future care outcome protocols.

Prior to SCAN, Hank served as a Principal in a national health care consulting organization providing a range of strategic, financial and development services for health plans, physician groups and hospitals. He began his California career as a member of the senior management team responsible for the turnaround and financial survival of Blue Cross of California. In this capacity, Hank led the financial turnaround of the Individual and Small Group Division and provided leadership to the organization's strategic planning efforts.

Earlier he served as Vice President International Operations for American Family Life Assurance Corporation where he directed the activities of the company's Canadian and European operations. In this role he directed the development of start-up operations in the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy, as well as the financial turnaround of the company's Canadian operations. Earlier, Hank also served as Director of Insurance Consulting Services for Coopers and Lybrand, a predecessor to PriceWaterhouse Coopers.

Throughout his career, he has been a frequent speaker on critical issues and challenges facing the Medicare and Medicaid programs. In 2011, Hank spoke to the Managed Medicaid Congress about principles for structuring effective long term care programs, to the Medicare Market Innovations conference about opportunities for strengthening a plan's five star quality rating and offered his strategic projections for the future of Medicare. He also spoke to a diverse health care and technology audience at the Healthcare Unbound conference about leveraging the power of technology to improve the quality of health outcomes and care interventions.

Dan Paladino

As VP, Healthcare Client Experience, Dan helps lead marketing strategy for Amsive’s healthcare clients, supporting their long-term growth goals and ensuring Amsive is delivering excellent service.

Dan has two decades of experience leading high-profile marketing, communications and change management strategy and programs, primarily on behalf of health plans and health systems.

Prior to joining Amsive, Dan served for 8 years in both client-facing and in-house roles at Evolent Health, a high-growth $1B unicorn company that provides value-based care services to providers and payers. Most recently, Dan led Evolent’s Corporate Marketing/Communications function and a team of five, where he oversaw PR, marketing, communications, creative/brand strategy and investor relations. During his time at Evolent, Dan also led the Medicare marketing department, where he managed key client relationships and led the successful launch of new Medicare Advantage health plans and marketing programs.

Tom Pelegrin

Tom Pelegrin is Convey's senior vice president and chief revenue officer. Tom is responsible for Convey’s market growth, sales, business development, brand, and marketing. Tom brings more than 25 years of sales and business development experience in the healthcare markets specifically related to payer technology and operations.

Windsor Richmond

Windsor Richmond is the Field Sales Manager for Anthem Blue Cross. She oversees the Field Sales team in all counties of Southern California. She’s been in the Medicare insurance industry 20+ years and has gained her experience by working at multiple Fortune 100 insurance companies. Her role with Anthem entails managing, coaching, business development, and knowledge of all Medicare products. She works closely with Anthem leadership in analyzing the territories against competition and growth opportunities. Throughout the years she has also had the opportunity to manage the Individual Sales Agents/Brokers.

Medicare has continued to be a passion for Windsor. Having an understanding of Medicare since the inception of the Medicare Advantage, she’s had the opportunity to help improve the lives of Medicare beneficiaries and as well as individuals working in the industry. Her favorite lesson is knowing the history of Medicare. She recommends you to Google a video presented by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, Medicare and Medicaid at 50.

Windsor, lives in Southern California and has two wonderful sons. She is an advocate sports fan. Her favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of LaVerne and a MHA from Walden University.

Todd Rau

Todd Rau is the Director of Medicare for Indiana University Health Plans and leads the Medicare Advantage line of business for the past 5 years. IU Health Plans is an extension of Indiana University Health, Indiana’s only hospital system to be nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 20 consecutive years.

Rau has 29 years of experience in insurance and began his career as a broker, focusing on commercial group, individual and Medicare health sales. In 2007 he became the Regional Sales Manager for Anthem BCBS individual broker sales, and quickly transitioned to the role of Broker Sales Director for Medicare Products.

While at IU Health Plans, Rau introduced the first $0 premium plans and multiple supplemental benefit additions. A Greenwood, Indiana native, he received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University.

Karla Rosado-Torres

Tom Sass

Tom Sass is vice president of consumer markets, Highmark Western and Northeastern New York. In this role, he oversees the strategy and execution of sales to consumer markets, including ACA Individual & Family Plans and Medicare Direct Pay Plans.

Sass joined the health plan in 2012 as general manager, state product and advanced through several positions throughout his tenure, including director, commercial accounts, director, consumer markets and most recently, senior director, consumer markets and corporate sales operations.

Sass received both a Master of Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from University at Buffalo. He also completed a Data Analytics 360 Certificate from the eCornell Program at Cornell University in 2019.

A sales and product management executive with more than two decades’ experience, Sass is a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters and Senior Markets Executive Group for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Ezio Sabatino

Ezio is an enthusiastic marketing leader with experience in all aspects of integrated marketing and communications that drives increased revenue and grows market share. Since 2002, Ezio held marketing leadership positions with EmblemHealth and ConnectiCare serving as Director, Marketing Acquisition & Retention for Individual Products and Director, Marketing & Communications for Senior Markets.

Before joining ConnectiCare, Ezio helped elevate commercial health products to market prominence through various marketing positions at PHS Health Plans, a Health Net Company from 1991-2001.

He currently focuses on consulting in the Individual Insurance space (Medicare Advantage DSNP, Medicare Supplement, ACA) spearheading acquisition, onboarding and retention efforts through strategic planning and implementation of marketing lead generation and retention programs.

Ezio obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing with a minor in psychology from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. A lifelong resident of Stratford, CT, he, and his wife Lysa have three children and two grandchildren. Ezio is also a dog lover (especially rottweilers), a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan and loves a good Springsteen and Bill Joel show.

Rebecca Schano

Becca has over 20 years’ experience in helping organization solve some of their most critical client communication needs. Her expertise is in creating workflows that solve complex communications needs for health plans to help drive efficiency, engagement and member satisfaction.

Heather Smith

Heather has been in Insurance and Financial Sales for her entire career. Having been in the Medicare Sales arena for over 15 years, she has found her true passion working within the senior population. She enjoys working for regional plans that have a unique offering within the communities they serve. She is responsible for all Medicare Sales distribution channels, as well as the Individual Commercial Market, and Community Programs. Helping others achieve their goals, uncover potential, and find those “aha moments” will always be the most rewarding part of her role.

Heather has been married for over 28 years and has one teenage daughter who will be college bound in the fall of 2023. She enjoys time at home with family and her plethora of pets, as well as retreat time to the lake or the Caribbean to relax and recharge.

Jason Sloan

At BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Jason leads the strategic vision and implementation for Medicare Advantage quality improvement activities, risk adjustment procedures and value-based provider partnerships. Under Jason’s leadership the MA program has markedly increased quality outcomes by helping beneficiaries navigate the healthcare system and by establishing strong partnerships with local healthcare providers.

Jason has spent his career managing local and national Medicare Advantage quality programs along with experience in medical research and physical therapy health programs. He earned an MBA from the University of Notre Dame and a Masters in Biomedical Science from Midwestern University in Chicago. To stay well rounded Jason enjoys fishing with his kids and playing golf as often as possible.

Michael Spicer

Mike leads the product innovation team of portfolio managers, researchers, and analysts at CDPHP in Albany, NY. Mike’s team is always seeking out new trends and disruptions in healthcare to enhance CDPHP’s product portfolio, ranging the gamut from digital health technologies to high deductible plans paired with HSAs.

Mike is most interested in studying and utilizing consumer behavior trends in healthcare, including the choices people make, why they make those choices, and the influences required to help them make choices that are more appropriate.

Originally from Syracuse, New York, Mike relocated for his post-secondary education, including a B.S from Union College (NY) focused in Neuroscience and Quantitative Economics, as well as a Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.) focused in Healthcare Management from Clarkson University. Mike now resides with his family and dachshunds in Latham while continuing to work on his golf game.

Miguel Velazquez

Miguel Velazquez is a veteran of the Grass roots marketing field in the State of Florida. While employed at Wellcare Health Plans under the Staywell Medicaid program Miguel was able to travel throughout the State of Florida developing statewide partnerships and collaborations with Statewide agencies. The ability to speak both English and Spanish has given him an edge within the Hispanic community by creating many events, projects, and activities in the region. Having experience in both Medicare & Medicaid programs Miguel has been able to reach a vast segment of the most vulnerable population in the State. Reaching out to many agencies and organizations in the state is his Miguel’s strength. He has been able to build long standing relationships that have been very beneficial to the companies he has represented.

As Marketing Director for Advantis Medical Centers he also developed experience in Medical offices marketing for growth and development. As sales & Marketing Director with Florida Health Solution Miguel was able to develop a very diverse Sales & Marketing team surpassing all sales goals. Miguel has been an integral part of the growth of companies such as; Wellcare/ Staywell Medicaid, FEMG Medical Group, Simply Medicaid, Chrysalis Health Care, Advantis Medical Centers, Solis Medicare, Village MD (Walgreens) Florida Blue Medicare.

Miguel has served in many community boards of directors like Health Start Coalitions, Early learning Coalition, Head start programs just to name a few. He has also been part of many conferences and platforms on the “Best approaches successful partnerships and collaborations”

When it comes to developing new partnerships and relationships in the state of Florida Miguel has always been at the forefront. He has developed a unique yet simple strategy to developing new relationships/partnerships in the community. Miguel says the secret to this strategy is: Just be yourself, be transparent, never promise what you cannot deliver, be genuine yet simple. A great personality goes a long way!!

Merry Beth Ward

Merry Beth Ward is senior marketing consultant with the Milwaukee office of Milliman. She joined the firm in 2021.

Merry Beth is an expert in prospect marketing and assists with lead generation, sales support, acquisition, and member communications for healthcare plans. She works through the entire process, from strategy, go­to­market planning, launch, and reducing membership churn, while focusing on Medicare Advantage plans' best return on investment.

Merry Beth was previously the Vice President of Marketing with Clover Health. She spent over 20 years creating leads and supporting sales actions through multiple mediums and channels. Her strength in strategic planning, as well as experience with multiple facets of advertising and marketing has been recognized multiple times within the healthcare industry. In her first year with Clover Health she increased membership 29% utilizing both traditional and digital advertising during AEP.

Before Clover Health, Merry Beth worked as Vice President of Healthcare Strategy for a direct marketing agency developing marketing plans, analyzing and implementing multi­channel marketing strategies to meet Medicare Advantage client objectives, and delivering comprehensive marketing strategies to meet client's goals. Merry Beth’s Medicare Advantage experience started as Director of Marketing for Cigna­HealthSpring, where she oversaw all marketing and advertising for the southeast. Her efforts resulted in sales increasing by over 42% with 66% attributed to direct marketing activities. She is well versed in the field of Medicare, Medicaid, and CMS regulations.

Merry Beth serves on several boards of directors: for Insight Counseling; for Leadership Healthcare Council; and for Nashville American Marketing Association. She was a Nashville Emerging Young Leader Finalist for two years.

Austin Weaver

Austin is the Vice President of Medicare at Hinge Health, where he leads and grows the digital musculoskeletal services they provide to seniors. Prior to this, he was the Vice President of Payer Strategy and Network Innovation at OptumCare, which is the largest provider of care for Medicare beneficiaries in the US. Additionally, Austin was a Partner at the Advisory Board Company, leading its Value Based Care consulting practice with over a decade of advising health systems, payers, and the US Congress on key strategic initiatives. Austin specialized in healthcare while earning his MBA from Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management and graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame.

Daniel Weaver

Daniel Weaver is the Executive Vice President of Product Operations and Stars Strategy at NationsBenefits, with nearly 25 years of experience in Operations and Star Ratings strategy. Daniel most recently served as VP, Government Quality Programs at Gateway Health, where he led the company to its first 4.5 Star Rating and an improved Medicaid NCQA Accreditation rating. In his career, Dan has overseen the development and implementation of many analytics-driven and customer-focused programs, and he advocates for continuous improvement and operational excellence philosophies for sustained success. In his new role with NationsBenefits, Daniel will drive strategic planning, facilitate execution, oversee product financial performance, manage operational performance across all products, and ensure strong internal controls are in place to enable efficiency in the growth of the business.

Daniel will also help drive prospective and retrospective investigation into quality outcomes and customer engagement across the company’s distinct benefit management programs while continuing to innovate new solutions for health plan partners focused on growth and strong quality performance.