Today’s CEOs are facing more challenges than ever, as demonstrated by the two-decade high in turnover for health care CEOs, instability in the global (and national) economy, and an increasingly competitive and rapidly changing post-pandemic health and human service. Despite these pressing challenges, there are key directional trends in the field that are known— such as integrated care models, payviders, retail health care and consumerism, reimbursement tied to performance, price sensitivity, and the end of the public health emergency.
For executives, envisioning the opportunities and future market positioning in the ever-evolving landscape will be a key leadership competency and a critical piece of organizational success. The OPEN MINDS Chief Executive Officer Learning Path was created to equip today’s CEOs with the critical skills and competencies needed to embrace current challenges, make informed decisions, and lead their organizations into the future with confidence.
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Finding An EHR For Your Future: The 2026 OPEN MINDS Best Practices Seminar On EHR Selection, Implementation & Optimization
Sponsored By: 
Over the past twenty years, adopting electronic health record systems (EHRs) has changed how health services are managed and delivered. As the health care system has continued to evolve with more value-based reimbursement, the push towards integrated care coordination, and the rise in consumerism, the technology infrastructure needed by provider organizations has changed—including EHRs. For most executives, the EHR is a significant investment, and choosing the right system (or keeping the wrong system) can make or break any organization.
This essential seminar is for any executive considering a new EHR system—whether it is your organization’s first EHR or upgrading a system that isn’t delivering the functionality needed for sustainability. Also, OPEN MINDS Associates will guide you through a step-by-step process for selecting an EHR that fits all your organization’s needs. The seminar will cover:
- The best practice model for assessing the tech functionality your organization needs for future success
- Steps for vetting vendors and their products and services
- Budgeting for EHR software and implementation
- Ensuring the best value and performance in contract negotiating
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
A Clinician’s Perspective: Essential Features & Common Pitfalls In EHR Selection
Part of the Finding An EHR For Your Future Seminar
Join Dr. Mike Arevalo, a practicing clinician and industry leader, for a frontline perspective on EHR selection. Drawing from real-world implementation experience, Dr. Arevalo will share the most common mistakes organizations make during evaluation, the clinical features that actually matter for daily workflows, and how to assess AI capabilities that deliver genuine value versus marketing promises. Learn practical strategies for choosing technology that supports both clinician satisfaction and quality care—ensuring your EHR investment drives sustainable outcomes for your organization.
Joseph P. Naughton-Travers, EdM
Joseph P. Naughton-Travers, EdM, Senior Associate, has more than 30 years of experience in the health and human service field. In this tenure as senior associate with OPEN MINDS since 1998, he has served as lead of dozens of client initiatives, served as editor of OPEN MINDS publications, and is the author of many groundbreaking articles and presentations.
Mr. Naughton-Travers brings to OPEN MINDS a broad range of experiences in private and public sector delivery of behavioral health and social services. He started his career as a behavioral health clinician, working in both child welfare and community mental health clinic settings. Subsequently, Mr. Naughton-Travers held a senior business operations management position for a psychiatric hospital system and its community mental health clinics. Later, he was vice president of a firm specializing in information systems and billing and receivables management for community-based mental health programs.
Since joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Naughton-Travers has developed business solutions for provider and professional organizations, state and county government, technology companies, and venture capital firms. His primary areas of expertise include strategic planning and metrics-based management, electronic health record (EHR) and technology selection and implementation, operations improvement, and corporate compliance. For the past decade, over half his consulting practice has focused on aiding organizations in technology selection and implementation, including all aspects of strategic technology planning, functional specifications development, request for proposal development, vendor selection, and contracting.
He has written numerous articles, including “Winning the Human Resource Wars: Tried, True and New Strategies for Behavioral Health and Social Service Organizations,” “Five Pillars of Management Competency,” “Data Driven Decision Making: Moving to an Organizational Measurement Culture,” “Survival of the Smartest: What is Your Organization’s Information Literacy IQ?,” and “Strategic Human Resource Management: Aligning Compensation with Employee Performance and Organizational Strategy.” Mr. Naughton-Travers is also a nationally recognized speaker, having conducted hundreds of executive and professional executive training events around the nation.
Mr. Naughton-Travers received his Bachelor’s degree from Miami University of Ohio and his Masters’ of Education in Counseling Psychology from Boston University.
Michael Arevalo, Psy.D
Michael Arevalo, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist with experience in evidence-based treatment and quality improvement across diverse clinical settings, including community mental health organizations, private practice, university counseling centers, and major healthcare systems like the VA and Kaiser Permanente. As Director of Clinical Strategy at Core Solutions, Inc., he leads the integration of clinical best practices into the company’s EHR platform, collaborating with product, engineering, and AI teams to develop data-driven solutions that enhance clinician workflows and patient care. He also defines quality metrics, ensures regulatory compliance, and develops training programs to optimize digital health tools.
Creating A Winning Tech Strategy: The 2026 OPEN MINDS Seminar On Building A Digital Transformation Roadmap
Sponsored By:
As the rate of technological advancements continues to progress, and an emphasis is put on consumer experience, much focus has shifted to digital strategies for health and human service organizations. These strategies involve a multi-pronged technology-driven approach that leads to streamlining processes and higher performance. While the post-pandemic era has accelerated the use of technology to support consumer access, using a technology strategy to assure business success goes beyond a consumer digital interface is essential. This seminar will focus on the key dimensions of digital transformation and provide a road map for executive teams to integrate and incorporate their entire organization. Attendees will gain insights into a digital-first approach focused on consumer experience, organizational efficiency, resiliency, growth, and sustainability.
Key objectives include:
- A road map for digital-first evolution and what it means to be a digital-first organization
- The eight dimensions of a digital-first framework for quality and performance
- Critical organizational competencies needed for leading-edge technology transformation
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
The Ninth Dimension: Embedding Intelligence Across The Digital-First Framework
The eight dimensions of a digital-first framework define what it takes to compete on quality, efficiency, and consumer experience — but none of them fully anticipated the speed and scale at which AI would reshape what’s possible within each one. This session argues that AI is not a ninth dimension bolted onto the framework, but a force that runs through all eight: reshaping how organizations coordinate care, document services, engage consumers, and manage workforce capacity. Rather than treating AI as a standalone initiative or a department to stand up, executive teams will learn how to embed intelligence directly into existing workflows and competencies — turning AI from a pilot project into structural capability.
Attendees will leave with a practical view of where AI is already delivering value in health and human services today, what organizational readiness actually requires, and how to sequence AI investment so it strengthens — rather than competes with — the rest of the digital transformation roadmap.
Sharon Hicks, MSW, MBA
Sharon Hicks, OPEN MINDS Senior Associate, has more than 20 years of experience in the health and human service field. She has extensive experience and wide range of expertise in health plan management, in clinical operations management, and technology.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Hicks spent two decades in a number of executive positions within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) system and within its health plan division. Ms. Hicks served as the Chief Operating Officer for Community Care Behavioral Health, a managed behavioral health organization. She was responsible for all aspects of the organization’s operations including fiscal, information systems, the claims processing department, and the design of clinical systems. In addition Ms. Hicks managed the day-to-day operations of including human resources, facilities, purchasing, and security.
Ms. Hicks also served as the Vice President, Internet Strategy, UPMC Insurance Services Division and, since 2002, as the Chief Executive Officer of Askesis Development Group, Inc. since May of 2002. In this role, Ms. Hicks was responsible for the growth of the company, profitability of the company, and the direction of software development.
Ms. Hick started her impressive health care career as a psychiatric social worker before being promoted to Assistant Director of Social Work. Prior to her executive promotions, Ms. Hicks served as a Clinical Administrator for both Ambulatory Services and Emergency and Intake Services at the UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. In this role, Ms. Hicks managed the behavioral health division, the budgets for all departments, and implemented new software replacing paper billing for clinical services.
Ms. Hicks received both her Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Social Work degrees from the University of Pittsburg. Before pursuing her graduate education, Ms. Hicks received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
Ravi Ganesan, MBA
Ravi Ganesan is the founder and CEO of Core Solutions, where he leads the revolution in behavioral health through artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies. With over 25 years of dedication, Ravi has addressed the unique challenges of the health and human services industry by developing innovative EHR technology, significantly improving treatment outcomes. His deep expertise in healthcare and technology, combined with a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, has established Core Solutions as a leading software provider nationwide.
Under his leadership, Core Solutions has pioneered AI-driven solutions for clinical documentation, treatment planning, and care delivery optimization in behavioral health settings. As CEO, Ravi has successfully established partnerships with large providers, government agencies, and leading management consulting firms to improve treatment for behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disability services.
Ravi is a recognized thought leader and frequent speaker on AI implementation, data-driven decision-making, and digital transformation in healthcare. Ravi received his M.B.A. from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
From Cost Center To Growth Engine: How CEOs Are Using Technology To Drive Revenue
In today’s margin-constrained environment, technology is no longer just an operational tool—it’s a core driver of financial performance. This session explores how leading behavioral health organizations are leveraging data to unlock new revenue streams, optimize payer and value-based payment relationships, and improve service line profitability. From real-time analytics to smarter utilization management, executives will gain practical strategies to move beyond retrospective reporting and toward predictive, revenue-focused decision-making. Learn how to align your tech strategy with growth goals—and turn insights into measurable financial outcomes.
Attendees will take away:
- The use of data to improve rate negotiation and payer relationships
- The right technology and analytics to support value-based payment models
- The data-driven strategies to help create new service line development and organizational growth
Brian Koll
Brian Koll is the Operations Technology Manager at LifeScape, where he leads the organization’s Virtual Support Services (VSS) and oversees the implementation and advancement of technology that enhances care, independence, and safety for people receiving services.
With more than 20 years of experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Brian has served in a variety of leadership roles within residential services before transitioning into technology operations. His extensive background in direct support and residential leadership provides a unique perspective on how technology can be integrated into everyday care without losing the human connection.
Brian has helped implement innovative solutions across LifeScape, including remote support services, camera and sensor technology, smart home safety devices, wearable health monitoring, communication systems, electronic reminders, NFC technology, and data-driven operational tools. His work focuses on using technology to increase independence for individuals served, improve staff accountability, strengthen safety, and provide real-time support to residential teams.
Brian will share how LifeScape has embraced technology as a partner in person-centered care, discussing practical applications, lessons learned, and the impact these innovations have had on individuals, staff, and organizational operations.
Gwen E. Koenig, LCSW
Gwen Koenig brings over 30 years of experience as the Chief Strategic Growth Officer for the Omni Family of Services, a national leader of child and family services in behavioral health, child welfare, and juvenile justice. She is responsible for business procurement, strategic planning, grants management, merger and acquisition integration, and technology innovation. Throughout her career, Gwen has supported foster care, family preservation, and community mental health programs across seventeen states.
Gwen is also an adjunct faculty at Colorado State University where she teaches macro social work and nonprofit management courses. Gwen resides in Fort Collins, Colorado where she enjoys the beautiful outdoors with her three sons, volunteers in her community, and keeps active with her rescue animals.
Jeffrey Ralph, Ed.D.
Inside Payer Innovation: Emerging Programs Transforming Care Delivery
Join our payer panel to hear the latest in innovative programs that top health plan industries are implementing today. Each 2026 event brings a different set of health plan leaders to talk through the programs they are actually launching, from new value-based arrangements to care-delivery pilots. Come to hear directly from payers what is changing and what it means for the contracts you negotiate.
Glenn Hamilton, M.D.
AI That Pays Off: Where CEOs Are Seeing Real ROI & Where They’re Not
Artificial intelligence is everywhere—but where does it actually deliver value? This candid session cuts through the hype to examine real-world AI use cases in behavioral health, highlighting what’s working, what’s not and why. From clinical documentation and workflow automation to predictive modeling and patient engagement, we’ll assess where organizations are seeing measurable ROI—and where investments are falling short.
Attendees will walk away with:
- A framework for evaluating AI opportunities and prioritizing initiatives that deliver both operational efficiency and clinical impact.
- Benchmarks and real-world case study examples of what ROI was expected in an AI investment vs. what was actually realized
- A clearer picture of what AI tools are actually delivering value
Jeremy Brown, LPC
Jeremy S. Brown, LPC, is Vice President of Technology and Impact at Talbert House, a multi-program nonprofit behavioral health provider in Cincinnati, Ohio that serves mental health, addiction treatment, and child and family populations. He brings more than two decades of behavioral health experience to the role, with a career that has progressed from direct clinical and case management work to residential program leadership and hospital administration, including service as Assistant Chief Executive Officer at Summit Behavioral Health. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Miami University and a master’s degree in clinical counseling from Xavier University.
In his current role, Jeremy leads Talbert House’s work to turn everyday technology into operational capacity without adding headcount, pairing tools already inside the agency’s Microsoft 365 license with AI built in Microsoft Copilot Studio. At the 2026 Technology and Analytics Institute, he presents “AI That Pays Off: Where CEOs Are Seeing Real ROI and Where They’re Not.”
Melissa Fox, MHA, FACMPE, FACHE
Melissa Fox is a nationally recognized healthcare executive and systems strategist leading the transformation of community-based health systems through innovation, data, and emerging technologies. As Chief Operating Officer of Acenda Integrated Health, she oversees enterprise-wide operations spanning more than 150 programs across the state of New Jersey, including child welfare, behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, crisis services, supportive housing, and population health initiatives designed to address the social drivers of health.
Fox is widely recognized for building nimble leadership structures that align operational strategy with value-based care, health equity, and financial sustainability. Throughout her career, she has led complex organizational redesigns across various healthcare disciplines, launched integrated care models to expand services for vulnerable populations, and implemented data-driven performance systems to improve outcomes while strengthening organizational resilience.
A recognized national voice on healthcare transformation, Fox has advised and presented for organizations including Open Minds, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the American Public Health Association, and the USDA among others. She has contributed to initiatives addressing the opioid epidemic as a public health crisis, and advanced conversations on telehealth equity and violence prevention, including framing gun violence as a public health issue through science-driven community engagement. She serves on multiple advisory and academic boards, including the Rutgers Center for State Health Policy External Advisory Committee and the Peirce College Human Services Advisory Board. Additionally, she serves as the Chair for the Healthy NJ 2030 Access to Quality Care action team, and the Chair of the Board for the Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing, New Jersey’s first public health institute.
Her work focuses on helping healthcare organizations redesign care delivery through operational innovation, advanced analytics, and emerging technologies that improve access, strengthen financial sustainability, and produce measurable outcomes. She is a leading advocate for viewing artificial intelligence as organizational infrastructure rather than simply another technology investment, helping healthcare leaders build AI-enabled systems that augment workforce and processes while preserving the human relationships at the center of care.
How To Build AI Governance For Responsible Adoption & Risk Management
As AI adoption accelerates, organizations need more than just tools and policies. They need a governance and risk management framework that enables safe, compliant, and scalable implementation. Join industry leaders as they discuss how to build effective AI Governance Committees, overcome common governance gaps, and establish the structures needed to guide responsible AI decision-making across the organization.
Chris Seigel, MA, LPC
With more than 13 years of experience in behavioral health leadership and as a licensed professional counselor, Chris Seigel is a systems-focused executive known for building high-performing, regulation-ready service lines across numerous environments. As Chief Program Officer for Mental Health & Substance Use Services, Queen of Peace Center and Saint Louis Counseling, two ministries of Catholic Charities of St. Louis, he provides oversight of a multi-site continuum of care spanning residential and outpatient treatment, supportive housing, community-based therapy, psychiatric services, medication-assisted treatment, and more than 100 school-based locations across 11 counties.
He maintains program-level accountability for operational performance, financial sustainability, workforce stability, and quality governance across the service line. Chris led the enterprise-wide implementation of the AI-powered clinical documentation tool to move his organization from manual notes to measurable performance gains. By aligning technology with governance, compliance oversight, and operational discipline, he reduced administrative burden, strengthened documentation integrity, and expanded access capacity without compromising clinical standards.
He now leads ongoing efforts to evaluate and implement AI systems that enhance client access, strengthen screening and assessment processes, and drive measurable improvements in outcomes across the continuum of care. His work demonstrates how responsible AI adoption can transform documentation from a regulatory requirement into a strategic lever for efficiency, scale, and sustainable impact.
Karen Baker
With 20 years of expertise in IT strategy, application management, and program management, Chief Information Officer (CIO) Karen Baker leads Qualifacts’ corporate systems, security, and infrastructure. Previously, she transformed the technology infrastructure and user experience at Savista, and held senior roles at nThrive and MedAssets, spearheading program management initiatives during periods of acquisition and growth. Karen holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
First Impressions Are Everything: Managing Your Digital Front Door
In today’s consumer-driven landscape, your digital front door is often a person’s first—and most critical—interaction with your organization. From online search to intake and scheduling, every click, delay, or confusing experience can make the difference between gaining or losing a client.
This session will explore how leading behavioral health organizations are optimizing their digital front doors to improve access, engagement, and conversion. You’ll learn how to create a seamless and responsive digital experience that reflects your mission, meets modern consumer expectations, and supports clinical and operational success.
This session will cover key elements such as website design, mobile accessibility, intake automation, appointment scheduling, and communication tools—all designed to lower barriers to care and increase patient acquisition and retention.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand what today’s behavioral health consumers expect from digital interactions
- Learn how to assess and improve your current digital front door
- Discover how a strong digital presence supports access, brand trust, and clinical outcomes
Rachel Steinmetz
Rachel Steinmetz brings broad experience in the health and human service field to the OPEN MINDS team. From operations management to marketing strategy, Ms. Steinmetz has been involved in almost every aspect of management in her career.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Steinmetz was the Director of Operations for Funnel Lab, an internet marketing solutions firm. In that role, she designed revenue generating strategies including lead generation and customer engagement. She also developed their automation solutions, including operationalizing AI-driven text bots to enhance customer interactions. Ms. Steinmetz was also responsible for mulit-channel marketing strategy and strategy implementation including email, SMS, and social media automation.
Previously, Ms. Steinmetz was the Chief Operating Office for Housing for Health, Orange County, a non-profit organization aimed at ending homelessness by addressing physical and mental health needs. As COO, she led all aspects of operations, including human resources, program development, and organizational management. This including implementing measures to enhance organizational efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance across multiple platforms and electronic health records. She also successfully cultivated robust partnerships with external partners.
Before Housing for Health Orange County, Ms. Steinmetz held roles supporting strategic communications and public policy initiatives in the behavioral health space. As Communications Coordinator for Be Well Orange County, she supported a county-wide initiative to improve access to compassionate mental health care through infrastructure investment and cross-sector collaboration. Her responsibilities included public relations, event planning, business development, research, vendor coordination, and managing the organization’s web and social media presence. As Senior Project Manager at Principle Strategic Advisors, a consulting firm focused on public policy and executive leadership, Ms. Steinmetz led multi-stakeholder initiatives, developed detailed project roadmaps, and coordinated efforts across municipalities, healthcare agencies, and community-based organizations.
In addition to her institutional roles, Ms. Steinmetz brings over a decade of experience consulting with nonprofits, small businesses, and mission-driven entrepreneurs. Her expertise includes business operations, digital marketing, workflow automation, and web strategy; working with clients to streamline systems, drive engagement, and scale sustainably.
Ms. Steinmetz earned a Bachelor of Arts in English/Creative Writing from DePaul University.
The CEO Playbook For Digital Transformation: Why Most Fail & How To Get It Right
Digital transformation is on every leader’s mind, and most systems will fail not because of the technology but the lack of direction. In this session, executives will share how they are navigating the complexity by setting vision, aligning stakeholders, and driving enterprise-wide change in an increasingly digital ecosystem.
Explore the critical decisions that define successful transformation efforts—from technology investment and governance to culture change and workforce readiness. This executive-level discussion will focus on the speed of technological advancements versus the risk of adoption, the pros and cons of centralized versus decentralized decision-making, and keeping up with the pace of accelerating innovation while balancing the stability that comes with being operationally streamlined and disciplined.
Mike Briggs
Mike joined Little Friends, Inc in January 2016 as a Board member and in March 2017, was asked to come out of retirement and serve as the President/CEO. He has been doing this for nearly the past six years.
Prior to joining Little Friends, Mike spent his career in the for-profit sector. Graduating from Millikin University in 1979, Mike started his career with IBM Data Processing in sales. He left IBM to join a family business in 1984 and within 3 months was running a $40 MM company. Over the next 30 years, Mike ran four different manufacturing businesses as President/COO, three privately owned companies and one owned by private equity. Two of the four businesses grew to be in excess of $100MM in revenues, and one just shy of $90MM.
Throughout his career, he has been involved with multiple boards of organizations, including being an Emeritus Trustee of Millikin University that includes having served two years as Chairman of their Board. Currently, besides being CEO of Little Friends, he serves as Chairman of the Board for a global company headquartered in Australia, President of his Country Club, and Chairs the City of Naperville Advisory Commission on Disabilities. In total, he is active with nine organizations as a board member today. Mike’s background until joining Little Friends has not been in social service. Rather, his story today comes from his experiences running different organizations and how these lessons apply to social service.
From EHR To Ecosystem: Building The Tech Stack For What’s Next
As the pace of innovation accelerates, behavioral health organizations must rethink the foundation of their technology infrastructure. This session dives into what a modern, future-ready tech stack looks like—from interoperable EHRs and data platforms to AI-enabled tools and patient engagement solutions. Hear how forward-thinking organizations are moving beyond fragmented systems to create integrated, scalable systems that support growth, improve outcomes, and enhance consumer experience. Gain insights into how to evaluate, prioritize, and future-proof your technology investments in an evolving landscape.
Key takeaways include:
- Understand the need to shift from an EHR-centric platform to a more encompassing tech ecosystem
- The integration capabilities and tools needed for a modern infrastructure that improves patient engagement
- Strategies to transition your organization from your legacy system to an ecosystem architecture
Health Care Beyond Medicine: How Highmark Is Reducing The Total Cost Of Care Through Its Social Care Network
Health outcomes are influenced by many factors that go far beyond the walls of the clinical setting, and forward-thinking organizations are redefining their care delivery strategies accordingly. In this inspiring session, Nebeyou Abebe, Senior Vice President of Social Health at Highmark Health, explores how Highmark is leading the way by integrating social determinants of health into their core business and care delivery models to drive better outcomes through their Social Care Network.
Highmark’s Social Determinants of Health Department was created in 2019, starts with a 15-question assessment that screens for things like housing, physical and social environments, transportation, and income, and members/patients who screen positive for a health-related social need get referred to a curated network of community-based organizations who remediate the social barrier. Highmark’s home-grown social care network has seen significant results in terms of reducing the total cost of care as well as reducing avoidable inpatient and emergency department visits. During this session, Mr. Abebe will highlight how Highmark is addressing the factors such as food insecurity, finances, transportation and social isolation to significantly impact both physical and behavioral health outcomes, and why these interventions are increasingly essential as organizations transition to value-based care models.
Every Measure Costs Hours: Focusing On The Data You Need To Collect
In an environment of tightening margins, increasing payer scrutiny, and rising expectations for outcomes, behavioral health leaders can no longer afford to collect data without purpose. The challenge is not access to information—it’s knowing which data truly matters and how to use it to drive performance, quality and growth.
This session is designed to identify the operational, financial and compliance data points that are essential to informed decision making. Attendees will learn how to align data collection with organizational strategy, regulatory requirements, and value-based care expectations, while avoiding common pitfalls such as over-collection, siloed systems, and underutilized reports.
Learn to:
- Ensure you’re capturing the right information to support accountability, performance improvement and long-term sustainability
- Define meaningful metrics and improve data governance
Kevin Eccleston, MPA
Kevin Eccleston, MPA, CReC, CPMC-T is an innovative and results-driven healthcare executive with nearly 30 years of diverse leadership experience across strategic design, operational excellence, financial execution, and multi-site service expansion. Throughout his career, he has led transformative initiatives that scale healthcare services, enhance revenue streams, and position organizations for long-term success in competitive markets. Mr. Eccleston’s passion lies in advancing community health solutions and engaging a passionate and dedicated workforce, while implementing person-centered care models that make a lasting impact. Known for building high-performing teams, securing critical funding, and ensuring financial sustainability, he brings a strong, mission-driven approach to every endeavor—always focused on delivering measurable results and meaningful change.
Yisroel Len
Yisroel Len is the Director of Data Analytics at Pesach Tikvah Hope Development Inc, CCBHC in Brooklyn, where he leads the strategy and implementation of systems that improve data quality from the point of collection through final reporting.
Data does not simply live in a database, it lives at the messy intersection of people, processes, and technology, where fields are mislabeled, requirements change mid-year, and temporary workarounds become permanent. Yisroel’s work has focused on closing that gap through workflow redesign, data engineering, and analytic tools that address data quality problems at their source while also managing them downstream.
Yisroel has presented for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing on the CCBHC data analytics lifecycle as part of a SAMHSA-required webinar for CCBHCs nationwide. A strong believer in collaboration across CCBHCs, he also developed the open-source CCBHC Quality Measurements Python package.
He writes about the realities of building healthcare data and reporting infrastructure at stevesgroceries.substack.com
The New Path To Treatment: Navigating The Trends, Policies & Forces Reshaping SUD Care
Philadelphia rebuilt the route from street contact to treatment placement. The components: harm reduction outreach, arrest diversion, a 24/7 center with a courtroom inside it, policies that let medication start the same day, and the level-of-care standard that decides who qualifies and what gets paid. Providers sit at every handoff in that chain, receiving referrals or losing them.
Join this panel to hear from the leaders who directed those changes. They will discuss where the industry is moving, based on national trends and the policy shifts landing in addiction and SUD services next year, and what a provider organization has to do to hold its place in the referral chain.
Attendees will leave with:
▪ Which pieces of the Philadelphia model transfer outside Philadelphia, and what each one costs
▪ What a drug supply that turns over yearly does to your level-of-care mix and your length of stay
▪ Where your organization sits in that referral chain now, and what it takes to move up it
David Gastfriend, M.D.
An addiction psychiatrist, Dr. Gastfriend has held clinical, research, technology development, and policy roles. At Harvard, he directed Massachusetts General Hospital’s Addiction Research Program. As VP at Alkermes, he directed scientific communications on Vivitrol. His research led most U.S. states to endorse the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria. His 150 publications include The ASAM Criteria and Addiction Treatment Matching. His ASAM Criteria CONTINUUM® software is being adopted nationwide. He has consulted to the governments of Belgium, China, Iceland, Israel, Norway, Russia, and the US.
Nicole O’Donnell, CRS, BA
Closing The Gap: Expanding Access Through Medication For Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)
Opioid use disorder continues to impact communities across the country, and expanding access to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) remains one of the most effective strategies for improving outcomes and saving lives. This session will examine the operational, clinical, regulatory, and financial considerations involved in scaling MAT programs across diverse care settings.
Industry leaders will discuss how organizations are overcoming barriers to access, integrating MAT into broader treatment services, leveraging partnerships with health systems and payers, and addressing stigma that can limit adoption and engagement. Attendees will learn how innovative treatment models, data-driven care strategies, and workforce development efforts are helping providers reach more individuals with evidence-based opioid use disorder treatment.
Margery L. Stanton, LMHC
Margery Stanton is the President & COO of BestSelf Behavioral Health, where she has been part of the team for over 15 years. Across that time she has held a range of roles, each deepening her understanding of the agency’s mission and the people it serves. Beyond BestSelf, Margery is an adjunct professor at the University at Buffalo, where she is committed to supporting the next generation of behavioral health practitioners. At the heart of her work is a single goal: empowering everyone to be their BestSelf.
Jennifer Seib, LMHC, CASAC
The Intersection Of Trauma-Informed Approaches & Quality Improvement
Building a truly data-driven culture in behavioral health requires more than dashboards, metrics and performance targets, it requires an approach that builds trust, engagement, and shared accountability across the organization. In this session, Social Current will explore how health care leaders can apply trauma-informed principles to quality improvement and transform the way teams engage with data, performance, and organizational change.
Using the principles of safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness, and empowerment, this session will examine how organizations can move beyond viewing quality improvement as a compliance function and instead make it a strategic driver of better outcomes. Attendees will hear perspectives from both quality improvement and clinical leadership and learn how trauma-informed approaches can strengthen engagement, improve performance, and create a culture of continuous improvement.
Key Takeaways Include:
- Identify the organizational and cultural barriers that can prevent quality improvement and data initiatives from gaining traction
- Understand the importance of applying trauma-informed tactics to data and quality improvement
- Hear practical scenarios to apply trauma-informed principles for effectiveness
Karen Johnson, MSW, LCSW
Accelerating Performance Through Your Technology Strategy
In this closing keynote, Monica E. Oss, Chief Executive Officer of OPEN MINDS, will examine the technology trends transforming behavioral health care and outline the strategic decisions executives need to make to maximize organizational performance. Participants will leave with a framework for aligning technology strategy with organizational priorities and actionable takeaways to help their organizations remain competitive in an increasingly digital health care environment.
Monica E. Oss
Monica E. Oss, M.S. is the founder of OPEN MINDS and serves as its chief executive officer, executive editor of its publications and websites, and executive lead of its consulting engagements. For the past three decades, Ms. Oss has led the OPEN MINDS team and its research on health and human service market trends and its national consulting practice. She is well known for her numerous books and articles focused on the strategic and marketing implications of the evolving health and human service field – and its focus on the verticals of the field serving consumers with chronic conditions and complex support needs.
Ms. Oss has extensive experience in developing and implementing growth strategies for a wide array of organizations in the field. She has expertise in industry trend analysis, reimbursement and rate setting, and creating actionable plans for market success. In her role, she has led numerous engagements with state Medicaid plans, county governments, private insurers, and health plans, service provider organizations, technology vendors, neurotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations, and investment banking firms – with a focus on the implications of financing changes on delivery system design.
Prior to founding OPEN MINDS, Ms. Oss served as an executive with a nationally managed behavioral health organization, responsible for market development, actuarial analysis, and capitation-based rate setting. She also held a position as vice president of the U.S. risk management and underwriting division of an international insurance company.
Ms. Oss has been the keynote speaker at the conferences of dozens of national associations and has been published in a wide range of professional journals and trade publications. She has provided Congressional and state legislative testimony on issues as diverse as the financial impact of parity and payer medication access policies.
Ms. Oss has led a range of industry research and consultation initiatives, serving as principal investigator on research projects that include the examination of national managed care enrollment and service patterns, development of provider rate structures for government entities, creation of return-on-investment models for technology investments; design of performance-based compensation models within public and private health plans; and analysis of the economic impact of changes in benefit design, adoption of evidence-based practices, and new technologies.