Jason is an actuary and healthcare data analytics consultant at Milliman with over 12 years of healthcare experience. Jason focuses on assisting provider organizations with developing strategies, evaluating participation decisions, and identifying performance opportunities within value-based care and Accountable Care Organization arrangements. Prior to joining Milliman, Jason served as Vice President of Oncology Intelligence & Analytics at the US Oncology Network, where he led a team of analysts and data scientists supporting a variety of operational and strategic initiatives. During this time, Jason oversaw development of novel oncology payment arrangements, Enhancing Oncology Model performance analytics, and value-based payment model structure evaluation. Earlier in his career, Jason led product development focused on population health and patient stratification analytics to assist providers in risk-based contracts allocate resources effectively.

Robert has extensive experience in healthcare management, developing strategic plans and directing financial, operational, and clinical initiatives.  He is currently the President of the National Cancer Treatment Alliance (NCTA) a national network of community oncology practices whose focus is to contract directly through value-based agreements with health care purchasers for oncology services.  Prior to joining NCTA Robert was the CEO of Dayton Physicians, where he merged 3 independent Physician practices (Medical Oncology/Radiation Oncology/Urology) to create a large multi-specialty practice.  

Robert received his Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University, Master of Science in Hospital and Health Service Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Nursing Degree from Excelsior College.

Robert is married with three children and enjoys travelling, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. 

Glenn joined RMCC in 2014 with over 25 years of experience in oncology practice operations and management. He is involved at local, state, and national levels in regards to presenting his knowledge and insight at industry meetings, as well as working with congressional representatives on cancer-related issues. His commitment to making cancer care better at RMCC is demonstrated through his ability to identify, and find solutions to, complex problems. He believes that everyone is an important part of the team at RMCC, and each team member has an equally important role in helping patients through their healthcare journey. Outside of work, he enjoys running, cycling, and skiing and is very proud of the accomplishments of his wife and his two adult children.

Dr. Sibel Blau is a Hematologist and Oncologist with special interest and expertise in breast cancer, multiple myeloma, and cell therapy.

She is the President/Executive Chair of the board at Northwest Medical Specialties, PLLC, where she also runs the clinical research and Precision Medicine program. 

She is one of the founding members and the President/CEO and Co-Chair of ONCare Alliance, LLC that is a national organization with a focus of value-based care, education, and research, as well as Exigent Research, an innovative research network of independent practices throughout the US to provide high quality, accelerated and accessible research to the communities where patients are treated.  She is a board member and the current President of Washington State Medical Oncology Society (WSMOS). She is involved in multiple committees at national organizations like ASCO, COA, and ACCC.

She is also a member of All4cure, which provides a transparent platform for oncologists with comprehensive displays of their patients’ data, cutting-edge analytic tools, and a real-time learning environment to empower the delivery of expert level myeloma care via clinical pathways that open a door to cooperative learning and new paradigms for curing myeloma.

She is the founder and president of the Journey Fund which is a community-based, not-for-profit organization committed to cancer patients facing barriers that affect their treatment with donations and community resources that make it possible for us to assist cancer patients facing social, financial, or emotional obstacles, toward a courageous journey, with dignity.

Anthony Bonagura, M.D. has worked Optum since August of 2013 as National Medical Director for Transplantation, Cellular Therapy  and Congenital Heart Disease and has been the Senior Medical Director for Utilization Management Operations in Optum Operations since 2017. Before coming to Optum, he worked for Aetna Insurance Inc from September 2000 through August 2013. In his time with Aetna, he worked as a Patient Management Medical Director for the Northeast Region and as the Medical Director for The National Medical Excellence TM Program, which is responsible for administering the transplant benefit for Aetna's members. In his time with Aetna he was involved in the formulation of Aetna’s clinical programs especially those related to Oncology and Cardiology. He served as Aetna's liaison to the Pennsylvania Medical Society and chaired the Mid- Atlantic Quality Review Committee. He maintains Board Certification in Internal Medicine and maintains licensure in the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and is a member of the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and the American Society of Transplantation and The American Society of Transplantation

Before joining Aetna he was an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Temple University School of Medicine from 1993 in the Department of General Internal Medicine. At Temple, he was involved in medical education and patient care along with responsibilities related to Utilization Management and shared risk programs for the University Hospital. 

Dr Bonagura completed a residency in Internal Medicine in 1993. He graduated from SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine in 1990. 

Lindsey Bryant is the Director of Value-Based Care at The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, a private community practice based in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. With extensive experience in oncology care delivery and value-based reimbursement models, Lindsey is passionate about developing patient-centered programs that address both clinical and supportive care needs. In addition to overseeing all of The Center’s support services, such as palliative care, navigation, and triage, she works closely with multidisciplinary teams to implement innovative care models like Principal Illness Navigation (PIN) and the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM).

Tammy Chambers is the Director of Health Care Strategy and Advocacy at The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, a OneOncology practice with multiple locations across North Texas. With over 30 years of experience in payer relations and managed care contracting, along with a deep understanding of the complexities of cancer treatment, Tammy has successfully navigated the intricacies of payer contracting, value-based care models, and oncology-specific reimbursement strategies. Dedicated to advancing innovation in oncology, she advocates for policies that support cost-effective, patient-centered care. Tammy also serves on the board of the Coalition of Hematology and Oncology Practices (CHOP) as well as the COA Payment Reform Committee.

Born and raised in the world of pharmacy, Antonio Ciaccia has been crawling around pharmacies his entire life, eventually heading up government affairs for the Ohio Pharmacists Association, where his data analytics work helped lead state officials to audit and uncover $244 million in hidden prescription drug overcharges in the state Medicaid managed care program. The discovery and subsequent fallout led to over a billion dollars in settlements in states across the country. Knowing billions of dollars can get lost somewhere in the middle of an ever-growing transaction, Antonio has spent years working to crack the drug pricing code and unlock a greater value proposition for public spending on medicines.

Today, he serves as the President of 3 Axis Advisors, a consulting firm that works with fraud investigators, state attorneys general, provider groups, research firms, technology companies, law firms, investment analysts, employers, government agencies, benefit consultants, and health plans to diagnose and eliminate inefficiencies and inappropriate incentives in the prescription drug supply chain. He is also the CEO and co-founder of 46brooklyn Research, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the transparency and accessibility of drug pricing data for the American public.

Claire Cote is the Chief Operations Officer at New England Cancer Specialists (NECS), the largest independent oncology practice in New England and affiliate member of Dana Farber Cancer Institute.  Claire has been with NECS for just over 8 years. Prior to joining NECS, Claire held various leadership roles in private practices and health systems such as CFO, Director Cardiovascular Operations, Director of Clinical Standardization, Director Care Integration and Vice President of Quality & Patient Experience. Claire has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, a Master’s Degree in Management and a Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma.

Claire was born in Northern Ireland and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1986 at the age of 13. 10 years later, Claire moved to Boston where she met her husband – a Mainer. While working at NECS, Claire received a breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 48 and now shares her early detection stories with groups in an effort to save lives. Claire spends most of her free time watching her three daughters play field hockey in college and planning her next trip to foreign climates. 

Dr. Stephen “Fred” Divers received his medical degree from Louisiana State University, and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of North Carolina. He completed a dual fellowship in Hematology and Oncology at the University of Alabama, where he was honored as the Outstanding Clinical Fellow and the Outstanding Research Fellow. Following completion of his training, he joined Genesis Cancer Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 2004 as a practicing physician. He and his partners are founding members of the American Oncology Network, where he serves as Chief Medical Officer, Chairman of the Physician Leadership Council, and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. He continues to serve as a member of the ION Advisory Board, including the Strategic Insight Committee and the Precision Medicine Committee. He is on the executive committee for the Community Oncology Alliance and for the American Independent Medical Practice Association, where he also serves as their Data Committee Chairperson. He serves several other industry-related advisory roles, including Pharma/Biotech companies such as DSI, J&J, and MiBA. On the payer side, he serves on the Oncology Strategic Advisory Board for Evolent. He has been married for over 25 years, and lives with his wife and their four daughters in Hot Springs. He still practices full time, and participates in clinical research with American Oncology Research Network. He remains passionate about the sustainability of community oncology as a care delivery model.

Marianne Fazen, PhD is Executive Director of DFW Business Group on Health (DFWBGH), a regional coalition of 55 DFW area employers committed to improving healthcare quality, cost and affordability in North Texas.  She also serves as President and CEO of the Texas Business Group on Health, a statewide non-profit organization representing Texas employers’ interests regarding state healthcare legislation and policy issues and as Regional Director of the national Leapfrog Group, which grades North Texas hospitals on healthcare quality and patient safety. 

Ms. Fazen also serves on the Board of Governors of National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, including a previous term as President, and previously on the Board of Directors of URAC, a national healthcare accrediting organization.  

Ms. Fazen is a frequent speaker and commentator on employer-related healthcare issues.  She also is recognized as a member of the Dallas 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders by D CEO Magazine for the past 8 years, and previously as a DFW Healthcare Leader by the Dallas Business Journal.

Ms. Fazen has an undergraduate degree in Medical Technology from the University of Wisconsin and a Doctorate in Communications Science & Human Development from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Nicolas Ferreyros is Managing Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Communications at the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), the only national organization dedicated solely to preserving and protecting local, affordable, and accessible cancer care. He is responsible for all internal and external communications at COA, including media relations, policy communications, and digital strategy.

A seasoned advocacy and communications strategist with more than 15 years of experience in health care, Nick specializes in developing successful campaigns to address complex issues. He has a deep understanding of the people and processes that affect America’s health care system and has a knack for translating the “wonkery” of health policy into language and concepts that resonate with policymakers, providers, patients, and voters.

Nick has engaged in nearly every major recent health policy issue before Congress and regulatory agencies, including the Affordable Care Act, the 340B Drug Pricing Program, Medicare reimbursement policy, and more. He has worked closely with policymakers on Capitol Hill, the White House, the Department of Health & Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, and National Institutes of Health. Nick’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, CBS Evening News, National Public Radio, and other leading national news outlets.

Prior to joining COA, Nick was a Managing Supervisor at GYMR Public Relations, a boutique Washington, DC communications firm specializing in health care, science, and social issues. While there, he oversaw high-profile, award-winning campaigns for clients including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, American Board of Internal Medicine, Consumer Reports, and numerous federal agencies.

A native of Houston, Texas, Nick earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He currently resides in New York City.

Dr. Annette C. Fontaine is a native of Dominica and the Chief Medical Officer and Vice President at New Mexico Hematology Oncology Consultants, Ltd. Since joining the practice in 2006, she has specialized in the care of patients with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. 

Her commitment to the business of medicine led her to earn an MBA from the University of Tennessee, enabling her to lead the cancer center with clinical and strategic expertise.

A dedicated advocate for patients and peers, Dr. Fontaine holds several leadership roles, including President of the New Mexico Society of Clinical Oncology and Medical Director of the Dominica Health and Education Initiative. She also serves on the board of the Greater Albuquerque Medical Association and for the New Mexico Medical Society. 

Board-certified in Hematology and Medical Oncology, and she is an active member of ASCO, ASH, and the AMA.

Ben is the Founder and Managing Partner of Oncology Ventures, a venture fund focused on investing into data-driven cancer start-ups. Prior, Ben was a Vice President at Optum Ventures and the 1st employee at Alpha Partners. Ben has also helped build a value-based cancer technology start-up (health plan partnerships and operations at Thyme Care).

Amanda Green is the senior manager of healthcare initiatives at the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, the only nonprofit, purchaser-aligned organization dedicated to helping employers and other plan sponsors drive health, equity and value. In this role, she leads employer-focused education and strategic initiatives across a range of health and wellbeing topics, including the National Alliance's oncology work supporting employers in advancing patient-centered cancer care. Amanda holds a master of science in public health from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and brings that population health perspective to translating research and patient experience data into practical action for employers.

Dr. Hanna is board certified by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties in Oncology Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy. He received his doctorate of pharmacy from Florida A&M University, completed his general residency at St. Thomas Hospital, Nashville, TN and his oncology residency at St. Luke's Mountain States Tumor Institute, Boise, ID. 

He is currently the Director of Pharmacy at Minnesota Oncology and an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. Dr. Hanna serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology (JADPRO).

Dr. Hanna’s research interests are focused on B-cell malignancies and genitourinary cancers. He is a recognized Fellow of the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), the Advanced Practitioner Society for Hematology/Oncology (APSHO), and the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA). Dr. Hanna is a Board member of the National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA).

Ashley Hume is a healthcare executive with 25 years of experience building and scaling cost containment, reimbursement, and risk management strategies for high-cost, emerging therapies.
As CEO of Emerging Therapy Solutions (ETS), she has led the development and national expansion of ETS’s end-to-end platform for cell and gene therapy and transplant, partnering with health plans, employers, TPAs, and reinsurers to operationalize contracting, care navigation, network strategy, and risk transfer for catastrophic claims.
Ashley is active in national cell and gene therapy reimbursement and payment model discussions, advising payers and stakeholders on CGT readiness and financing strategies. Prior to ETS, she held leadership roles at a health plan and health plan services company, and senior roles overseeing revenue cycle and contracting for large specialty groups and health systems.

Jeff Hunnicutt is a nationally recognized community oncology leader with more than 20 years of experience spanning operations, practice management, technology and practice transformation. Throughout his career, he has helped independent community oncology practices grow, innovate and navigate industry change while preserving physician leadership and advancing patient-centered care.

Prior to joining Cardinal Health and Navista, Jeff served as Chief Executive Officer of Highlands Oncology Group, one of the nation's largest independent oncology organizations, where he led strategic growth, operational excellence and innovation initiatives across the enterprise. Prior to Highlands, he was Chief Operating Officer of Northwest Medical Specialties, a community oncology practice in Washington state. Earlier in his career, he served as Executive Director of the Quality Cancer Care Alliance, an independent practice collaborative and founding organization of ONCare Alliance.

A respected voice in the oncology community, Jeff serves on the Board of Directors of the Community Oncology Alliance and chairs its AI & Digital Transformation Committee. He is a frequent national speaker on oncology innovation, practice transformation and the future of community-based cancer care.
Jeff earned his Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Organizational Management from Northwest University.

David Johnson is a practicing urologic oncologist at UNC-Chapel Hill and physician executive. With a background in economics, public health, and health services research, he entered the world of alternative payment models and value-based care right out of fellowship in 2019. As Medical Director for Value Transformation at BCBCNC, he led the design and implementation of specialty care-focused value-based payment models and quality improvement initiatives. In 2022, he joined Rubicon Founders, an entrepreneurial investment firm, as a Clinical Operating Partner where he supported the investment team on several new company designs and investments, including standing up a value-based business unit within a national cardiology platform and co-founding an oncology value-based physician enablement company, Atlas Oncology Partners. He is currently the Chief Physician Executive at Atlas, working across functions including payer and provider growth, product design, and clinical operations.

Syed Zia Khan, PharmD, BCSCP, is Director of Pharmacy at The START Center for Cancer Care, an independent community oncology and hematology practice in San Antonio, Texas. He leads pharmacy strategy across the practice's infusion sites and its medically integrated specialty pharmacy, with a focus on payer and manufacturer contracting, formulary and pathway design, and drug cost management across both the medical and pharmacy benefit.

He has built more than 2,000 evidence-based treatment regimens and pathways, directed the practice's ACHC Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation, and helped develop one of the nation's first virtual inventory cabinet models, which generated millions in inventory savings while improving drug availability at the point of care.

Khan serves on the Board of Directors of the Coalition of Hematology and Oncology Practices (CHOP) and is a frequent national speaker on oncology contract design, specialty pharmacy operations, and community oncology economics. He earned his PharmD from the University of the Incarnate Word and is a Board Certified Sterile Compounding Pharmacist (BCSCP).

June Lanoue is President, U.S. Hematology at Johnson & Johnson where she leads the company’s largest therapeutic area in delivering transformational cancer treatments to patients and advancing the hematology portfolio and pipeline. June is also a member of the Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine North America Leadership Team, collaborating with other leaders across the organization to deliver results on behalf of patients June is often recognized for her strong, dynamic leadership and has been awarded Working Mother of the Year by Working Mother magazine. 

Aaron Lyss is Senior Director of Payment and Policy Innovation for OneOncology, a national partnership of independent community oncology practices. At OneOncology, his role includes execution of policy and advocacy strategies, as well as community-based cell therapy service line enablement and related stakeholder partnership development. 

Prior to this role with OneOncology, Aaron was the Director of Strategy and Business Development for Tennessee Oncology, and prior to that served as healthcare policy specialist for the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies.

Aaron earned his Master of Business Administration at the Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management, and his Bachelor of Arts degree at Washington University in St. Louis.

Andrew is a Strategic Advisor and former Chief Science Officer at Arbital Health. He works at the intersection of healthcare strategy, economics, and technology, focusing on how artificial intelligence, new payment models, and changing incentives will reshape care delivery and financing.

Andrew co-founded Santa Barbara Actuaries, later acquired by Arbital Health, and has spent more than a decade advising payers, providers, startups, and healthcare innovators on value-based care, provider economics, risk contracting, performance measurement, and payment innovation. His oncology work includes helping organizations design sustainable models that better align payers and practices around cost, quality, risk, and access.

He is also the founder of ConsiliumChoice, creator of the MyPlanChoices platform, and has published on value-based care, behavioral economics, and healthcare analytics. Andrew holds degrees in Statistics and Economics from UC Santa Barbara.

Kiana Mehring, MBA, CSPR, CRCR, LION, PPMC is SVP, Payer Strategy, Revenue Cycle Operations, & Value-Based at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute. With deep expertise in managed care and strategic partnerships, she leads initiatives that foster collaboration between payers and providers to advance value-based oncology care. Kiana is recognized for designing innovative payment models and implementing holistic care strategies that enhance patient outcomes while optimizing cost-efficiency. Her leadership reflects a commitment to sustainable, patient-centric solutions in an evolving healthcare landscape.

Ginger Miller is a seasoned healthcare leader with more than a decade of experience transforming employer health strategies and advancing population health. She began her career as an Occupational Therapist, leading clinical teams in developing comprehensive care plans that addressed total‑person health and improved patient outcomes.

In 2013, Ginger transitioned into the health and benefits space at Utz Quality Foods, where she launched the company’s first health and wellness program to improve employee well‑being while managing rising costs within a self‑insured health plan. Her success in building data‑driven, employee‑centered programs led to her promotion to Director of Health & Benefits, a role in which she reshaped the organization’s approach to healthcare delivery and benefits integration.

During her tenure, Ginger strategically developed innovative initiatives including an onsite healthcare clinic, a fitness facility, and multiple direct contracts with regional healthcare systems. These programs reduced barriers to care for associates and their families, strengthened care pathways, and improved health outcomes across the organization. She also led Utz’s leave management and accommodation programs, aligning benefits, employee education, and clinical navigation to create a more supportive and accessible experience for employees.

Ginger’s leadership has been recognized through multiple awards for wellness innovation, women’s leadership, and her work advancing accommodations and inclusive benefits practices. She is an active participant in healthcare coalitions and advisory boards and previously served as co‑chair of the National Alliance Purchaser Leadership Council. A frequent speaker, Ginger has shared her expertise on numerous panels, webinars, and interviews, contributing thought leadership on employer‑driven healthcare transformation and benefits strategy.

Brian Mulherin is a hematologist-oncologist at Hematology Oncology of Indiana, a practice within the American Oncology Network (AON). He’s been in practice since 2012. He’s an active member of AON’s P&T Committee, and has served as AON’s medical director since January 2024. He’s the managing partner of his Indianapolis clinic, and also advises MiBA (Meaningful Insights Biotech Analytics), a data analytics firm aiming to transform patient care by delivering the highest quality real-world insights to healthcare providers and biopharma partners. He’s active in expanding research opportunities within AON, and has a special focus on value-based care. He is a member of ASCO and ASH. He lives with his wife and four children outside Indianapolis, and in his spare time enjoys playing the piano.

Rosa Novo serves as Administrative Benefits Director for Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS), the third-largest school district in the United States and the largest in the State of Florida. With more than 40 years of experience in healthcare administration, she has led the development of innovative health strategies, complex contract negotiations, and employee benefit initiatives, including the design and implementation of the district’s comprehensive wellness program, Well Way.

Mrs. Novo is an active member of the Florida Alliance for Healthcare Value, where she currently serves as a Board Member. She also holds leadership and advisory roles across numerous healthcare, employer, and community organizations.

Mrs. Novo oversees the administration of the district’s self-insured healthcare plan, the second-largest expenditure within MDCPS. The plan provides healthcare coverage for approximately 45,000 covered lives, including more than 32,000 employees and their dependents, 9,241 retirees and their dependents, and approximately 6,100 part-time employees, representing an annual healthcare investment of approximately $510 million.

She has been a leading advocate for elevating the employer voice at both the state and national levels in the healthcare transparency movement, helping employers gain access to meaningful data and fostering informed dialogue among healthcare carriers, providers, employers, and policymakers.

As the fiduciary responsible for MDCPS healthcare plans, Mrs. Novo is committed to delivering high-quality healthcare benefits while ensuring long-term financial sustainability. Her focus is on developing strategic solutions that improve access, enhance quality, promote transparency, reduce healthcare costs, and deliver measurable value for the employees, retirees, and families she serves.

Joseph O’Hara is Chief Commercial Officer at Vantris Oncology, a start-up helping independent oncology practices compete in markets dominated by large, branded cancer centers. A healthcare executive and consultant with more than three decades of experience, he specializes in managed care strategy, value-based payment models, and provider partnerships spanning large matrixed organizations and lean start-ups.

At Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (2011–2022), he served as Senior Director of Innovations, designing and scaling value-based programs—including Episodes of Care, ACOs, and Primary Care Medical Homes—with hospital systems, specialty practices, and IPAs. These initiatives delivered 5–17% cost differentials and established market-leading payer-provider relationships. Earlier, as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Care Management Technologies, he led a successful turnaround that expanded clinical reach, grew revenues 45%, and improved EBITDA. At Empire BlueCross BlueShield he held progressive leadership roles in network strategy, utilization management, and Medicare Advantage product development, generating significant annual savings and building enrollment to more than 60,000 members.

O’Hara holds an MBA in Finance from The George Washington University and a B.S. from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. He is recognized for combining strategic negotiation, clinical-program design, and technology-enabled solutions to improve outcomes while controlling total cost of care.

Dr. Ameet Patel is a bone marrow transplant and cell therapy provider with a strategic focus on the sustainable implementation of novel cell, bispecific antibody, and transplantation therapies. He is currently with Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute with an interest in providing cell therapy and bispecifics to the Florida community. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Florida and completed a hematology/oncology fellowship with a focus on hematologic malignancies, bone marrow transplant, and cellular therapy at Vanderbilt University. He also earned a Master of Management in Healthcare at the Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management, with an interest in cost analysis and payment models for CAR T therapy. During his tenure at OHC, he developed a transplantation program for Multiple Sclerosis, the only known center in the community across the US. His passion is to provide clinical innovation with financial value to cancer patients in the community. 

Dr. Debra Patt is a practicing oncologist and breast cancer specialist in Austin, Texas, and an executive vice president of Texas Oncology with responsibilities in healthcare policy and strategic initiatives. She is an active leader in breast cancer and research in healthcare informatics driving digital healthcare tool adoption in clinical practice to improve the patient journey.

She is the managing partner for the central Texas, Gulf, and Rio Grande Valley regions in Texas Oncology since 2023.

Dr. Patt is the medical director for public policy for The US Oncology Network and has testified before the US Congress and Senate to protect access to care for cancer patients. She has chaired the council on legislation and the cancer committee for the Texas Medical Association.

Dr. Patt serves as the current president of the Community Oncology Alliance and on the ASCO Board of Directors. She also chairs the Artificial Intelligence Task Force for ASCO and is the liaison for the clinical innovation committee.

She lectures medical students and is a professor at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.

Christine Pfaff, MBA, RPh, is the Director of Clinical Initiatives at the Community Oncology Alliance (COA). As director of clinical initiatives, she uses her background in community oncology clinic and pharmacy operations to support independent practices that are navigating an increasingly complex health care landscape. She guides COA’s industry-leading peer-to-peer network for medically integrated pharmacy teams in independent community oncology and urology practices across the country, the Community Oncology Pharmacy Association (COPA). In addition, Christine supports COA’s work on payment reform, educational initiatives, and employer engagement through the National Cancer Treatment Alliance (NCTA).

Prior to joining COA, Christine practiced as a licensed pharmacist and health care executive for over 15 years, leading community oncology operations and pharmacy services across a multi-state region. In her previous role as Senior Regional Director of Operations for the American Oncology Network, she oversaw clinical and business operations across Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

Christine’s career spans leadership roles in clinical pharmacy, practice operations, and strategic development, with a strong track record in expanding services, enhancing patient outcomes through value-based care programs, and spearheading cross-functional collaboration. Her expertise includes pharmaceutical contracting, budget management, referral development, and compliance with USP and NCCN standards.

A respected voice in oncology care innovation, Christine serves on the Ohio Board of Pharmacy and the Pharmacy Times Oncology Editorial Board. She previously was a member of the COPA board. She holds an MBA from Franklin University and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from The Ohio State University. Christine currently resides in Columbus, Ohio.

Shiela Plasencia is the Director of Practice Support at the Community Oncology Alliance (COA). In her role, she serves as a key connector among practice administrators, providing essential insights, strategies, and tools to optimize practice operations and ensure the delivery of high-quality patient care. She also leads the COA Administrators’ Network (CAN), a collaborative platform for practice leaders to share best practices and address the unique challenges facing the oncology community. In addition, she spearheads the COA Fellows Initiative and leads the COA Health Equity Committee, further advancing COA's mission to support and enhance community oncology.

Prior to joining COA, Shiela served as the Director of Quality Improvement, Compliance, and Value-Based Care at Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute (OCSRI), a community oncology practice she joined in 2004. During her tenure, she successfully led OCSRI to achieve the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s QOPI Certification, distinguishing it as one of only two practices in Oklahoma to earn this recognition. Additionally, in 2016, she became actively involved with the Coalition of Hematology Oncology Practices (CHOP), where she served as president and board member until 2022.

Originally from California, Shiela holds a degree in Health Information Technology and currently resides in Jenks, Oklahoma.

Alti Rahman is the Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at American Oncology Network. He holds a dual Master's degree in Business Administration and Healthcare Administration and is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt. His healthcare career started as a mental health case worker. Those powerful experiences shaped his pursuit of a career in healthcare administration, where he felt a tremendous gap existed in medical interventions and the alignment of public health goals. Before joining AON, Alti spent 15 years at Oncology Consultants in Houston, TX, a thriving community oncology practice, pursuing value-based care and continuous operational, cost, and quality improvements. Alti believes that the future of healthcare involves a multidisciplinary approach, keeping the patient at the center of all decisions.

Sylvia S. Richey, M.D., is a physician executive, board-certified medical oncologist, and the Chief Medical Officer of West Cancer Center and Research Institute in Germantown, Tennessee. With more than two decades of experience in oncology, clinical leadership, medical staff governance, quality improvement, patient safety, and cancer care delivery, Dr. Richey has built a career dedicated to advancing high-quality, patient-centered cancer care while helping guide the strategic direction of one of the region’s leading oncology organizations.

As Chief Medical Officer of West Cancer Center and Research Institute, Dr. Richey provides executive medical leadership across clinical operations, patient care standards, physician engagement, medical staff affairs, quality, safety, and medical practice compliance. In this role, she serves as a critical bridge between physicians and executive leadership, ensuring that clinical priorities, patient needs, and physician perspectives are integrated into organizational strategy and operational decision-making. Her responsibilities include establishing and maintaining standards of clinical excellence, developing and updating medical policies and protocols, monitoring quality indicators and outcomes, supporting peer review and credentialing processes, and leading organizational responses to significant patient safety events. She is deeply committed to fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and compassionate care.

Dr. Richey has practiced medical oncology at West Cancer Center and Research Institute since 2005 and has extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of patients with cancer, including breast cancer and other solid tumor malignancies. She also serves as Director of Integrative Oncology, helping advance supportive and holistic approaches within the cancer care environment. Prior to joining West Cancer Center, she served as a medical oncologist at the University of Tennessee Cancer Institute and has remained active in academic medicine through her appointment as Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology-Oncology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Her leadership extends across institutional, regional, and national oncology initiatives. Dr. Richey has held long-standing governance roles at West Cancer Center, including Vice President of the West Cancer Center Executive Council, member of the West Clinic Executive Committee, head of the West Cancer Center Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee, and head of the West Clinic Clinical Practice and Quality Committee. She has also chaired the Oncology Care Partners Clinical Advisory Board, contributing to the development of an oncology provider network focused on value-based care for Medicare Advantage patients, and chaired the OneOncology Pathways Clinical Advisory Panel, helping establish clinical pathway integration through Flatiron Assist within the oncology electronic medical record.

Nationally, Dr. Richey has contributed to cancer care standards and clinical pathway development through service on National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline panels, including the Prostate Cancer Practice Guidelines Panel, Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis Panel, Kidney Cancer Practice Guidelines Panel, and Testicular Cancer Practice Guidelines Panel. She also served on Via Oncology Clinical Pathway Committees, including work in colorectal and prostate cancer, and co-chaired the prostate cancer pathway committee in 2015.

In addition to her executive and clinical leadership, Dr. Richey has been active in teaching, research, publications, and invited speaking. She has served as a clinical instructor, lecturer, and medical student preceptor through the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and has participated in education for residents, fellows, and medical students. Her research experience includes serving as a member and site principal investigator with ACORN Research Network and West Cancer Center Research Institute, contributing to multicenter studies in breast cancer and supportive oncology. She has authored or contributed to publications on prostate cancer guidelines, metastatic breast cancer treatment, value-based cancer care delivery, biosimilar adoption, and patient education.

Dr. Richey earned her medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine after completing a Bachelor of Arts in Art History with a Classics minor at Vanderbilt University. She completed internship and residency training in internal medicine through Baptist Health System in Birmingham, followed by a fellowship in medical oncology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. She also completed a clinical observer/fellowship elective in the Breast Cancer Division at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Beyond her professional roles, Dr. Richey has demonstrated a sustained commitment to community service and civic leadership. She has served on the boards of the YWCA of Greater Memphis, Harrah’s Hope Lodge, Magnolia Regional Health Center, Rhodes College Parent Council, Memphis Communities of Health Advisory Board, and the Brooks Museum of Art Board. Her service reflects a broad commitment to improving community health, expanding access to care, supporting underserved populations, and strengthening cultural and civic institutions in Memphis.

Dr. Richey is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology and holds active medical licensure in Tennessee and Mississippi. Her professional memberships and honors include participation in the American College of Physicians, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Memphis Medical Society, and American Society of Hematology, as well as recognition by Castle Connolly Top Doctors, the Exceptional Women in Medicine Award, Doctor of the Year Award 2023, and the Via Oncology Service Award. Through her work as a clinician, executive leader, educator, and community advocate, Dr. Richey continues to advance excellence, innovation, and compassion in oncology care.

Personal Life and Interests
Dr. Richey has been married to her husband for 33 years, and together they have four children. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys cooking, decorating projects, collecting and thrifting antiques, and helping operate the family’s four restaurants.

Justus Ruff is Head of Network at Aradigm, where he leads the development of the company’s COE network for Cell and Gene Therapies. He’s led multiple network builds over the last decade, helping providers and payers succeed in advanced and often complex contracting environments.

Previous to Aradigm, he was a founding team member and first employee at Pearl Health, where over four years he helped the company grow from inception to more than 3k providers managing over 150k lives and $2 billion in premium. Earlier, he helped stand up tech-enabled value based networks at both Stellar Health and Clover Health, working closely with payers and providers to embed technology into clinical workflows, improve performance, and support rapid expansion. He began his career at Cigna-Healthspring, managing network performance and driving quality strategies.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justusruff/

Susan Sabo-Wagner is Vice President of Clinical Innovation at American Oncology Network (AON), where she leads enterprise-level clinical strategy and innovation across the organization’s community oncology network. Her responsibilities include the design, implementation, and evaluation of clinical programs; integration of technology into patient care workflows; and collaboration with providers, payers, and industry partners to improve quality, access, outcomes, and the patient experience.

With more than 25 years of healthcare experience, Susan has held progressive leadership roles spanning oncology nursing, navigation, clinical operations, quality, supportive care, and value-based care. Before joining AON, she served as Executive Director of Clinical Strategy at Oncology Consultants in Houston, where she developed clinical and operational programs that supported organizational growth and the expansion of value-based care.

Throughout her career, Susan has developed scalable clinical protocols, community-based oncology navigation programs, supportive care services, and integrated strategies to address social drivers of health. Her recent work includes advancing payer-provider clinical integration, reducing barriers to care, improving prior authorization processes, supporting clinical pathway initiatives, and helping expand advanced oncology capabilities within the community setting. She has also published and presented nationally on oncology operations, health equity, quality, telehealth, and access to palliative and supportive care.

Susan serves on the Community Oncology Alliance Administrators Network Board and the Community Oncology Alliance Cellular Therapy Committee. She is also involved with the COA Health Equity Committee.

Susan earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master of Science in Nursing Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. She holds the Nurse Executive Advanced certification and has maintained her Oncology Certified Nurse credential for more than 16 years.

Carl Schuessler leads Mitigate Partners, a consortium of 22+ employee benefit consulting & brokerage firms. His passion for fixing the problem of runaway health-care costs in this country and his desire to treat the employer’s money as his own led him through years of research culminating in the development of his proprietary FairCo$t Health Plan. This innovative plan design seamlessly integrates 20+ cost containment solutions with a high-performance health-care solutions platform. The 2022 Executive Leader Healthcare Leader of the Year, Carl & Mitigate Partners have been nationally recognized for their work in creating localized, employer-built, health-care plans in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Innovation & Tech Today, Physician Outlook Magazine, Free Market Medical Association, and Bold TV. By removing misaligned incentives, directing care based on quality and cost, &, ultimately, helping courageous employers fix their plans, employers are saving 15-to-30 percent in their healthcare spend. 

Evolent Chief Growth Officer John Tam brings more than 25 years of experience in health care growth and investment strategy, new product development, and marketing. 

Prior to Evolent, John was a principal with Accretive LLC, a private equity firm, where he led investments in the care management and insurance sectors. John also served as a vice president and senior medical director for a health care marketing agency, a director in new product development at The Advisory Board Company, and a principal with Computer Sciences Corporation (formerly APM, Inc.) where he led numerous payer and provider strategy, operations and IT engagements. John earned his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and his B.A. from Williams College.

Karen van Caulil, PhD, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Alliance for Healthcare Value since 2011. The Florida Alliance is a 501(c)(3) research and education organization and Florida’s only business coalition on health, representing more than 80 public and private sector employers.

Dr. van Caulil also serves as the Executive Director of Floridians for Accountability in Health Care, a 501(c)4 affiliate of the Florida Alliance, established to strengthen the ability to advocate for policies that make health care more affordable, accessible, and accountable for Florida’s working families.  

Dr. van Caulil serves on numerous national and state boards and advisory committees including the Board of Directors of The Leapfrog Group, and Florida’s Consumer Health Information and Policy Advisory Council where she is the Chair. She also serves as the co-chair of the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions’ Advancing Health Policy Strategy Group. 

Dr. Wilfong is Chief Medical Officer of Navista, Cardinal Health’s oncology practice alliance, where he continues to advance his passion to transform cancer care and deliver better outcomes by aligning patient goals and values with treatment options and payment models. At Navista he serves as a trusted clinical voice across the alliance, aiding in the development and adoption of evidence-based pathways and advanced value-based care initiatives and assisting practices in bringing advanced therapies to the community setting amid a rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape. 

Previously, Dr. Wilfong served as Senior Vice President of Value-Based Care at Thyme Care, the leading value-based care enabler, collaborating with payers and providers to transform the patient experience and clinical outcomes for individuals living with cancer. He is also a practicing medical oncologist/hematologist previously at Texas Oncology and now covering Navista practices. Prior roles include Senior Vice President of Payer and Care Transformation at The US Oncology Network and Vice President of Value-Based Care and Quality Programs at Texas Oncology.   

As a committed advocate for community oncology, Dr. Wilfong is helping define the future of value-based care payment reform, improving care-team coordination, optimizing actionable analytics and improving the quality of patient care. 

During his time at The US Oncology Network, Dr. Wilfong was instrumental in implementing both the Oncology Care Model and the Enhancing Oncology Model while driving performance in multiple commercial value-based care contracts. He previously led The US Oncology Network Value-Based Physician Champion Task Force and chaired its Pathways Task Force. Dr. Wilfong currently co-chairs the COA Committee on Oncology Payment Reform and serves on the ASCO Drug Shortages Advisory Group. He formerly volunteered on the ASCO Quality Measures Task Force and Guidelines Committee. While at Texas Oncology, Dr. Wilfong served as medical director of the COVID-19 Task Force and as physician lead for the practice’s electronic medical record conversion. He has received various teaching and community service awards and has published over 50 papers and abstracts.

Dr. Wilfong earned his Medical Degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, where he also completed his internship, residency and fellowship training. He earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics from Texas Tech University.

Jenny Zaiser, Vice President of Provider Relations, is a provider network and strategy leader with more than 11 years of experience at Transcarent, a health and care company focused on making it easy for people to access high-quality, affordable care through connected care experiences and expert guidance. She specializes in developing and scaling high-performing provider networks for complex care, with expertise in Centers of Excellence for Surgery Care and Cancer Care, bundled payment models, value-based care, provider contracting, and strategic partnerships. She is passionate about translating network strategy into scalable solutions that expand access to high-quality specialty care while aligning providers, employers, and health care partners around quality, outcomes, affordability, and member experience. Jenny holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration.