Beyond The Algorithm: Preserving Human-Centered Care In The Digital Era
As AI transforms the landscape of health care, Kaiser Permanente continues to put people first. In this visionary keynote, Richie Grantham, Senior Manager, Health Innovation at Kaiser Permanente, explores how one of the nation’s leading integrated health systems is using AI not to replace human care, but to enhance it. Discover how Kaiser Permanente is weaving cutting-edge technology into its deeply rooted, people-first philosophy—enhancing clinical decision-making, supporting care teams, and building stronger, more trusting relationships with patients.
Richie Grantham
As a human-centered design pioneer, Richie Grantham has spent the past decades using insight into human behavior to help craft innovation strategies and experiences for brands, ranging from start-ups to Billion-dollar global cultural icons, across industries.
He’s brought his passion for design and innovation expertise to Kaiser Permanente as a senior leader within clinical innovation for Southern California, managing a diverse team of creatives and human centered designers to work with executive leaders and innovation champions within the organization to transform healthcare in meaningful and impactful ways.
AI In Action: Adapt, Accelerate Or Fall Behind
Sponsored By: 
Delve into the present and future of behavioral health with an unfiltered examination of AI’s tangible impact. Join industry leaders as they discuss effective strategies, common pitfalls, and transformative applications that are revolutionizing care delivery. Discover how innovative organizations leverage AI to enhance efficiency, improve outcomes, and maintain a competitive edge in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
Matthew Prete
Matthew Prete started his career at Sigmund as a Senior Software Engineer. He was the lead engineer in the development of Sigmund’s industry-leading revenue cycle management system for behavioral healthcare and addiction treatment. Over the years, Matthew has been integral in the design and development of all Sigmund software, helping to push our technology in a fast-paced environment. Matthew was promoted to Chief Product and Information Officer to oversee all Application Development for VSS Medical Technologies as well as data center operations.
Steven Klein, M.D., Ph.D., FAAP
Dr. Steven Klein is a compassionate and highly accomplished physician-scientist specializing in addiction medicine. Dr. Klein is dedicated to advancing innovative, evidence-based approaches to support recovery for teens, young adults, and individuals facing relapse challenges. Dr. Klein’s mission is to transform addiction treatment by harmonizing genetic science, clinical expertise, and a steadfast dedication to recovery-centered compassion.
Jarel Gallman, LCSW
Jarel Gallman, LCSW, is a results-driven leader with a passion for empowering teams, cultivating innovation, and driving sustainable growth. With a proven track record of success in healthcare, Jarel brings a strategic mindset and a people-first approach to leadership. Whether navigating change, developing talent, or executing mission-critical initiatives, Jarel combines analytical thinking with emotional intelligence to bring out the best in people and organizations.
Andrew Heckman
Andrew Heckman is passionate about driving innovation and process improvement to transform healthcare delivery and organizational performance. He is committed to understanding real-world challenges and designing practical solutions that create measurable impact. As Corporate Director of Information Management Services at the Richard J. Caron Foundation, he leads strategies that streamline workflows, enhance adoption, and align technology with patient care. His current focus is advancing AI-enabled solutions that reduce clinical burden, improve quality, and create lasting impact for patients and providers.
Jenna Reinen, Ph.D.
Jenna Reinen, Ph.D. is a Research Scientist at IBM’s T.J. Watson Research Center, working in the Digital Health and Computational Psychiatry groups. Since joining IBM in 2017, her research has focused on developing AI-driven digital health tools to detect, monitor, and treat conditions such as psychosis and chronic pain, work that was recognized with IBM’s Technical Merit Award in 2022. She has also led efforts to create multimodal neuroimaging models that predict health outcomes by integrating brain, behavioral, and digital data. Her current focus is on leveraging artificial intelligence and natural language processing to responsibly support mental health through mobile and digital platforms, with an emphasis on clinical utility, ethical responsibility, and participant trust.
Becoming A Technology First Organization With Keystone Human Services
Organizations are looking to make the move beyond traditional operational models and embrace a technology-first mindset. This session will explore what it means to lead with technology – not just in tools and systems, but in terms of outcomes and person-centered care. Whether you’re early in your digital journey or working to accelerate it, this session will provide strategic insights and case studies to guide your path forward as a technology-first organization.
Key takeaways include:
- Developing the leadership and culture necessary for digital transformation
- Identifying and scaling the right technologies to improve outcomes and efficiency
- Leveraging data to enhance performance and patient satisfaction
Nathan Gerhard
Nathan Gerhard serves as the Associate Executive Director of Intellectual Disabilities Services at Keystone Human Services in Pennsylvania. With over two decades of experience in the field of Intellectual Disabilities in both Pennsylvania and Maryland, Nathan is currently concentrating on expanding the use of enabling technology and remote supports throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. Since 2018, he has been spearheading the initiative to incorporate independent living technology into conventional service models beginning with two residential homes in North Central Pennsylvania. By 2024, Keystone expanded its reach to more than 130 locations, aiding over 250 people with independent living technologies embedded within their natural support systems in their service delivery models.
Transforming The Consumer’s Experience Through A Tech-Enabled Journey
Today’s health care consumers expect seamless, personalized, and convenient experiences—similar to what they receive in other industries. This session explores how technology is reshaping the consumer journey from access and engagement to care delivery and follow-up. Attendees will learn how leading organizations are leveraging digital tools such as patient portals, mobile apps, AI-driven support, remote monitoring, and integrated communication platforms to enhance satisfaction, improve outcomes, and build lasting loyalty. Designed for health care leaders, this session provides practical insights into building a tech-enabled consumer experience strategy that meets evolving expectations while maintaining clinical excellence.
Kim Sonafelt, MS, LPC, CADC
Kim serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Mainstay Life Services, a nonprofit organization supporting people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities throughout Western Pennsylvania. Kim has over three decades of leadership experience in the nonprofit and human service sectors. Kim is known for her visionary leadership, strategic innovation, and deep commitment to advocacy and person-centered support.
Under Kim’s leadership Mainstay has expanded its reach, strengthened its use of data and technology to improve outcomes, and has launched forward thinking initiatives focused on inclusion, independence and quality of life. Her approach centers on advocating for equity in disability services and empowering individuals and families through tailored supports.
Kim holds a master’s degree in psychology and is a licensed professional counselor and a certified alcohol and drug counselor.
Heather Lewis, ETL
Heather Lewis joined Mainstay Life Services in 1991 and has devoted more than three decades to empowering people to live more independently. In her role as Technology Coordinator, she leads the evaluation, coordination, and implementation of assistive technology and remote supports across the organization. Heather works closely with program management and direct care teams to ensure that technology solutions align with Mainstay’s person- and community-centered values.
Over the years, Heather has advanced through a variety of roles—beginning as a Direct Support Professional, later serving as a Program Coordinator of Residential Operations, and ultimately becoming a key leader in Mainstay’s technology initiatives. Her deep understanding of the organization’s mission, coupled with her expertise in enabling technology, allows her to bridge innovation with compassionate care. Heather’s dedication continues to shape how Mainstay integrates technology to enhance independence, dignity, and quality of life for the people it supports.
The Efficiency Shift: Technology That Powers Sustainable Behavioral Health
Sponsored By: 
Efficiency is no longer just about doing more with less—it’s about creating the capacity to deliver better care, strengthen the workforce, and secure financial stability. Behavioral health leaders have seven levers they can pull to make that happen: revenue cycle uplift, provider efficiency, staffing and site optimization, client acquisition and retention, contracts and referrals, cost containment, and new revenue expansion.
This session zooms in on where technology has the greatest impact today. We’ll examine how AI-driven tools can ease documentation burdens to improve provider efficiency, how automation can reduce denials and strengthen revenue cycle performance, and how digital engagement strategies support client acquisition and retention by improving follow-up and reducing drop-off. Together, these levers create a path to sustainable growth and better outcomes across behavioral health organizations.
Javier Favela
Javier Favela is Vice President of Market & Segment Leader at NextGen Healthcare. He is an industry leader who provides integrated healthcare technology solutions to meet the needs of the behavioral and integrated healthcare community. Javier has over 20 years of accounting and executive leadership specializing in the healthcare and healthcare information technology field. He offers extensive knowledge in new business start-ups and restructuring existing businesses to further strategic initiatives and maximize organizational profitability.
Breakthrough To Better Care: CCHO’s AI-Driven Success In Behavioral Health
A growing number of behavioral healthcare agencies are leveraging AI to ease documentation burdens and workflow bottlenecks, allowing providers to treat more clients and improve engagement.
This session will illuminate how Christian Children’s Home of Ohio (CCHO) harnessed the power of AI to transform their operations, deepen client relationships, and significantly improve clinician burnout.
Join Tonia Hanshaw, Special Project Manager at CCHO, as she shares a simple, step-by-step roadmap of CCHO’s AI journey. Discover how CCHO identified its clinical documentation challenges and evaluated AI partners before selecting Qualifacts® iQ. Attendees will gain valuable insights into:
- CCHO’s Core Challenges: Understand the specific documentation hurdles that drove CCHO to seek an AI solution aimed at reducing clinician stress and enhancing client engagement.
- Strategic AI Partner Selection: Explore CCHO’s robust criteria for choosing an AI solution and technology partner, including the factors that ultimately met their unique needs.
- Real-World Impact & Optimization: Unpack CCHO’s tangible progress and outcomes, including an impressive 80% reduction in note-taking time and enhanced client interactions—a testament to the right AI adoption.
- Developing Your AI Adoption Strategy: Walk away with actionable insights to develop an AI adoption strategy tailored for your own agency.
This presentation offers a direct look at how one organization broke through barriers to provide better care, leveraging innovative technology to achieve remarkable improvements in service delivery and client experience.
Tonia Hanshaw
Tonia Hanshaw, Special Projects Manager at Christian Children’s Home of Ohio (CCHO), has been a dedicated employee since June 2007. Initially hired to spearhead the credentialing of the agency’s clinical providers with commercial insurance companies, Tonia transitioned into the role of Assistant Director of Finance. In 2016, she took the lead in the agency’s implementation of Qualifacts’ CareLogic EHR. Recognizing the demands of this critical project, Tonia moved into her current role as Special Projects Manager, allowing her to focus on the ongoing development and optimization of the EHR. Building on her commitment to leveraging technology for enhanced care, Tonia led the 2023 implementation of Qualifacts Client Experience Solutions (formerly OnCall). In 2024, her proactive approach led CCHO to participate in Qualifacts® iQ Beta team, and she continues to drive the adoption of the product across the agency’s provider network.
Nathan Loggans
Nathan Loggans is the Senior Product Marketing Manager for AI & Innovation at Qualifacts, where he leads go-to-market and product marketing strategy for the company’s flagship platforms: Qualifacts iQ, OneQ, and BI & Data. His expertise spans go-to-market strategy, product positioning, lifecycle marketing, and customer engagement across healthcare and SaaS.
With more than a decade of experience in strategic marketing and digital transformation, Nathan has led teams across organizations ranging from early-stage startups to Fortune 10 enterprises. Prior to joining Qualifacts, he served as Head of Marketing at PrimeAI, where he built the marketing function from the ground up and scaled annual recurring revenue (ARR) to more than $5M.
Nathan earned his Bachelor of Arts from Maranatha Baptist University and his MBA from Villanova University, with concentrations in Strategic Management, Marketing, Analytics, and Management Information Systems. He is recognized for aligning cross-functional teams, shaping executive strategy, and driving measurable growth outcomes. Outside of work, Nathan is a passionate Green Bay Packers fan, an avid audiobook listener, and enjoys playing guitar.
What CEOs Should Know About Privacy & Cybersecurity
In an era of increasing cyber threats and evolving privacy regulations, behavioral health care organizations face unique risks and responsibilities. This session is designed specifically for CEOs and executive leaders to understand the critical intersection of privacy, cybersecurity, and behavioral health. Attendees will gain insight into the latest regulatory developments (including HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and state laws), emerging cyber threats targeting behavioral health data, and the reputational and operational impacts of breaches. The session will also offer strategic guidance on building a security-conscious culture, investing in the right protections, and preparing for audits or incidents. Equip yourself with the knowledge to lead confidently and protect your organization’s most sensitive assets.
Frannie Watts, MSW
Frannie Watts is the Chief Executive Officer of South Central Medical & Resource Center (SCMRC), a Federally Qualified Health Center serving rural communities across south-central Oklahoma. With more than 15 years of experience in healthcare leadership, behavioral health integration, and regulatory strategy, she has led SCMRC through a period of transformation marked by operational growth, quality advancement, and strengthened organizational resilience.
Under her leadership, SCMRC has improved organizational compliance, expanded access to care across multiple service lines, and launched strategic initiatives to strengthen risk management, data security, and system-wide accountability. Her work is grounded in measurable outcomes and reflects a long-standing commitment to building future-ready infrastructure that protects both patients and institutions in a changing healthcare landscape.
Frannie previously served as SCMRC’s first Behavioral Health Director and later as Chief Operating Officer. She has been nationally recognized for her work in integrated care and health equity and co-authored a peer-reviewed journal article on quality improvement in behavioral health integration. She is known for strengthening governance, fostering innovation, and building security-conscious cultures that protect the most sensitive assets of healthcare organizations: the trust and data of the patients they serve.
The State Of AI In Human Services: Findings From The Netsmart & OPEN MINDS Executive Survey
Sponsored by: 
Based on a national digital survey of senior executives in health and human services, conducted by OPEN MINDS and sponsored by Netsmart, this session benchmarks where organizations truly stand on the AI maturity curve. Attendees will gain a clear, data-driven view of how peer organizations are approaching AI, identifying the proportion still in exploration versus those piloting or fully integrating AI into operations. The discussion will highlight the strategies and capabilities that distinguish the “very prepared” adopters, and present a phased roadmap for adoption designed to deliver measurable ROI. Participants will leave with actionable insights into how early adopters are leveraging AI to enhance care delivery, improve efficiency, and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Kelsey Silver
Kelsey Silver has over a decade of experience in the behavioral health field, seven of which focused on treatment for substance use disorders. As Outreach’s Assistant Vice President of Quality and Data Analytics, she oversees administration of the organization’s AVATAR Electronic Health Record (EHR), the agency’s Continuous Quality Improvement Program, and interfaces with multiple departments to provide vital data analytics in support of the agency’s vision.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a background in technology, Ms. Silver uses her knowledge to bridge communications between the clinical and operational divisions of the agency, towards optimizing training, workflow, and processes. She manages the design, implementation, and maintenance of Outreach’s EHR, including quality assurance, support, training, monitoring, and improvement, and manages the agency ‘help desk’ to ensure prompt and efficient response to requests for assistance within the EHR.
Ms. Silver additionally supports department managers with the design and implementation of Quality Improvement projects; and provides data analytics to support program decision making and agency initiatives.
Ms. Silver earned both her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hofstra University.
Scott Green
Scott Green leads the Care Dimensions business unit at Netsmart. In his role, he leads a team focused on building out a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to support organizations as they digitize their operations beyond the EHR. Green has been with Netsmart for 10 years and has held many roles during that time including leading the Human Services business unit.
Prior to joining Netsmart, he spent 13 years with Pfizer where he focused on building relationships and clinical initiatives with Integrated Delivery Networks.
Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial psychology from Kansas State University and a graduate certificate in healthcare leadership from Park University.
Advanced Operations & Clinical Service Delivery Through AI Innovations
Explore the latest advancements, as well as the pitfalls and risks, in clinical care powered by artificial intelligence. Presenters will discuss how AI is revolutionizing patient diagnoses, treatment plans and overall care delivery. Join us to hear more about cutting-edge technologies, including machine learning and predictive analytics, that are enhancing decision-making, improving outcomes, streamlining health care processes and aiding in the issue of workforce shortages. Plus, hear the disadvantages and risks to look out for when implementing the latest AI innovations as they develop at a rapid pace.
Shalom Lichtenstein, MSN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Shalom Lichtenstein, MSN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, is a double board-certified nurse practitioner who bridges the gap between primary and psychiatric care. He sees behavioral health patients at CHEMED Health Center, works with pediatric and family services through Precious Health, and also maintains an independent family and psychiatry practice, REVA Health. Shalom focuses on culturally responsive, whole-person care that connects mental and physical health for patients of all ages. As an early adopter of AI-driven ambient technology, he advises on ways to harmonize innovation with the art of medicine, bridging clinical expertise with technological advancement to shape a future where healthcare is both smarter and more compassionate.
Norman Racine
Norman Racine is an accomplished technology executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning healthcare, non-profit, telecommunications, manufacturing, and distribution industries. Most recently, he has served as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Sycamores, where he oversees IT strategy, infrastructure evolution, security, and business process innovation in support of the organization’s mission.
In previous leadership roles, he has directed enterprise system modernization, strengthened cybersecurity and compliance in highly regulated environments, led cloud migrations, and managed large-scale IT operations with multimillion-dollar budgets and teams of over 100 professionals. His other work has included enterprise architecture design, acquisition integrations, and international technology initiatives across Europe, South America, and North America. With a focus on aligning technology to organizational goals, he has consistently delivered secure, scalable solutions that balance innovation with cost efficiency.
“Who Cares?” Behavioral Health Workforce Documentary Film Premiere & Panel Discussion
Sponsored By: 
Join us for the exclusive premiere of the documentary film “Who Cares?” followed by an interactive panel discussion featuring several participants who appear on-screen. Led by Eleos and produced by Deutsch & Co. in partnership with the Impact Collaborative (IC) and National Council for Mental Wellbeing, “Who Cares?” captures a story that’s too often left untold—the story of the dedicated providers who work tirelessly to provide life-saving behavioral healthcare to the most vulnerable members of our communities.
While trying to serve the millions of people who are in desperate need of support, providers themselves are struggling. They are overwhelmed by administrative inefficiencies, bureaucratic barriers, and systemic challenges. The film explores these barriers from diverse perspectives, sharing uplifting solutions for providers, the organizations they work for, and the clients they serve.
Dennis Morrison, Ph.D.
Dr. Dennis Morrison is the owner of Morrison Consulting which has provided consulting services to the behavioral health information technology field since 2017. He currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer for Eleos Health. Previously he has served as Chief Clinical Officer for Netsmart Technologies, CEO of Centerstone Research Institute (CRI) and CEO of Center for Behavioral Health (CBH).
Academically, Dr. Morrison holds two Masters degrees in Psychology and Exercise Physiology from Ball State University. His doctorate is in Counseling Psychology also from Ball State University. In 2022, Ball State awarded him the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest award given to an alum. He is a prolific author, frequent presenter (including a TEDx talk), podcast host and co-inventor on a patent for a behavioral healthcare outcomes software product. A Navy veteran, he is a licensed, instrument-rated private pilot and triathlete completing 19 triathlons since turning 70.
Sherri Romano, LCSW
Sherri Romano, LCSW, joined the Child Center team as Senior Vice President of Clinical Services in August 2021. In this role, she is bridging clinical services across the six divisions of The Child Center to create a standardized, comprehensive clinical model.
Sherri began her career almost 20 years ago in NYC foster home programs, mastering how to navigate the many systems that touch our children’s and families’ lives. She moved on to develop and implement one of the first Bridges to Health programs in NYS before transitioning to residential services. Sherri was the Clinical Director of a large residential treatment center (RTC) serving youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) before jumping into her role as Director of an RTC serving dually diagnosed SED/IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) youth. To effect change on a larger scale, Sherri joined the Office of Mental Health in NYC as the RTF Director, a position in which she served for more than five years. Sherri is thrilled to be using her clinical expertise, knowledge of systems and social determinates, and her insight into government to enhance and integrate clinical services for our children and families.
Sarah Garner
Sarah Garner is a Licensed Master Social Worker who has been with the Child Center of NY for over two years. She began her journey as a clinician and now serves as a Clinical Coordinator, where she reviews referrals, assesses clinical eligibility, and oversees intake assessments for new clients. In addition to administrative responsibilities, Sarah provides individual, family, and collateral therapy, as well as case management services. Inspired from a young age to make a meaningful impact, Sarah discovered her calling during her undergraduate studies, which led her to pursue a Master’s in Social Work in 2021. She is passionate about leveraging innovative tools like Eleos to enhance client care and is excited to share her experience with this transformative system today
Linda Rosenberg, MSW
Linda Rosenberg is co-founder of the Office of CEO (OCEO), a boutique behavioral health advisory and investment firm that supports a select number of private sector companies and nonprofit organizations and associations. Additionally, Linda is an Operating Partner and Advisor to Empactful Capital and a Senior Advisor to Health Management Associates (HMA). Until June 2025 she served as faculty in Columbia University’s Department of Psychiatry.
Linda was President and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing until her retirement in 2019. She increased membership to 3300+ organizations, growing annual revenue from 2 to 55+ million. Her leadership helped pass parity; create SAMHSA’s Integration of Primary and Behavioral Health Care program; establish Behavioral Health Homes in Medicaid; develop Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs); and introduced and brought Mental Health First Aid to scale.
Prior to joining the National Council, Linda was New York State’s Senior Deputy Commissioner for Mental Health. Among her initiatives was the first pre-release unit for state prisoners with mental illnesses; Single Points of Access to intensive services; New York’s first Mental Health Court; Medicaid Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS); and expanded peer services, housing first, and school mental health clinics.
With a unique blend of operational and policy expertise, Linda identifies opportunities, grows businesses, and navigates the complex regulatory and financial scaffolding needed for scaling and sustaining. A sought after speaker and board member she serves on the boards of Cohen Veterans Network, Centerstone Insitute, and Meadows Policy Institute, and is an independent company board member of Netsmart Technologies, Triad Behavioral Health, and Pyramid Healthcare.
The Great Debate: The Promise & Peril Of Using AI In Behavioral Health
Join this exciting discussion (or debate) of the topic of the year – the role of AI in behavioral health. In the past 12 months, we’ve seen a significant increase in the adoption of the use of AI in diagnosis, clinical documentation, and treatment planning. There has been growing consumer use of ChatGPT for therapy. Provider organizations are increasingly using AI to analyze clinician sessions. And, the State of Illinois just enacted legislation prohibiting the use of AI for diagnosis, creating treatment plans, or therapy. Joining our fireside chat is Kyle Hillman, the Director of Legislative Affairs for the National Association of Social Workers-Illinois. Mr. Hillman wrote the legislation, The Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act (House Bill 1806), recently enacted in Illinois – and was the lead organizer and lobbyist for its passage.
The current state of AI in behavioral health is something akin to “the wild west”. This timely discussion, facilitated by OPEN MINDS Chief Executive Officer Monica E. Oss, will provide expert perspectives on the potential for AI in the field – and the potential pitfalls for the field, for health plans, and for provider organizations.
Kyle Hillman, MA, CAE, CMM, CMP
Now in his 21st year with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Kyle Hillman is a veteran policy strategist and association leader advancing the profession through bold, member-driven advocacy. As Director of Legislative Affairs for NASW-Illinois and Executive Director of NASW-Nevada, Kyle authored the first-in-the-nation bans on AI “therapists” in Illinois and Nevada and was pivotal in securing alternatives to the ASWB licensing exam in Illinois. His leadership continues to shape legislation on mental health access, equity, and workforce reform – ensuring social workers have a voice in every critical policy debate.
Improve Outcomes & Reduce Costs With Intelligent Care Coordination: AI-Powered Key To Unlocking Success In Value-Based Care
Sponsored By: 
Policies are accelerating the shift to value-based care, driving providers to transform their value-based care programs. 97% of provider organization executives see technology as a competitive edge, and are investing heavily in AI and digital transformation to stay ahead.
Rovicare is an AI-driven cloud platform that helps health plans, ACO’s and providers succeed in value-based care. With 10 percent of complex patients driving nearly 70 percent of total spending, effectively managing this population is essential to lowering costs and improving outcomes. Rovicare has assisted customers reducing total cost of care, readmissions, and length of stay while enhancing case manager efficiency and patient outcomes.
Rovicare partners with 3,000+ organizations in 10+ States and has streamlined care coordination for millions nationwide. By embedding AI intelligence into every step of care coordination, Rovicare helps Health plans, ACOs and Providers reduce total cost of care & improve outcomes especially for complex populations.
Pankaj Likhmania
Pankaj (PJ) is a passionate entrepreneurial leader, highly experienced in healthcare technology. Specializing in leading fast-paced innovation in the healthcare industry, PJ has founded four companies of his own. He has invested in 10+ startups and served as a Board member and consulting CIO for multiple organizations including Global Med, Valley Perinatal and iMed Transport. He understands what it takes to build businesses from ideation to scale. PJ is currently leading Rovicare which offers a cloud-based software solution for post-acute care utilization. Rovicare stems from PJ’s personal challenges and inefficiencies encountered in discharge management and transition of care.
A senior IT leader with 18+ years of experience in roles such as Senior Enterprise Software Architect for Intel Corporation, PJ is well-equipped to build and manage technology, processes, personnel and strategy. He is a dedicated, hands-on leader who seamlessly integrates multi-disciplinary teams to deliver strategic solutions that exceed business goals and has successfully completed complex projects with budgets exceeding $10 million and 1 million users. Through his extensive experience, PJ learned that success comes from the streamlined integration of technology, great people and skilled leadership. As a result, he has defined a clear strategy for success through which all business operations flow, including product roadmap management, budgeting, capital investment and team dynamics.
PJ is an active mentor and investor in the local start-up community, bringing exceptional problem-solving skills to help integrate people, process, technology and investment with the greater community. His community involvement includes Phoenix Startup Week, Chandler Innovations, Arizona Technology Investors and Arizona State University, and participating as a judge in local innovation contests such Devil Days at ASU, Venture Madness and Healthcare Startups.
Ross Halvorson
Ross Halvorson is the Director of Customer Success at Rovicare, bringing over 15 years of leadership experience across technology and hospitality. With five years in the technology sector and a decade as a General Manager in hospitality, Ross has a proven track record of driving operational excellence and client engagement. At Rovicare, his tenure includes spearheading numerous workflow adoptions, developing innovative solutions, and delivering measurable results for health plans and integrated care providers. His work places a special focus on complex populations, including LTSS, SMI, and justice-involved individuals, ensuring improved outcomes and streamlined care coordination.
Knowing Where You Stand In The Digital Age: The 2025 OPEN MINDS Technology Adoption Survey
Sponsored By:
Last year, it was proven that value-based reimbursement is here to stay and helps control cost and quality. To succeed in that environment, specialty provider organizations must adopt new technologies that can help master population health management, data exchange, and clinical decision support. For executives to lead successfully, they need to link those tech investments to strategy for sustainable performance and competitive advantage. OPEN MINDS surveyed specialty provider organizations in health and human services to determine where they are moving toward technology adoption. The survey provides information on several critical variables and where you fit in.
Variables such as:
- Number of staff devoted to information technology functions in specialty provider organizations
- The annual information technology budget of specialty provider organizations (including hardware, software, networks, IT consultation services, outsourced projects/functionality, and IT staff)
- A unique list of technology innovations human services executives are implementing and what they are doing to progress on the path to digital transformation
Joshua Kephart
Joshua Kephart is an accomplished healthcare technology leader with over 14 years of experience driving digital transformation and operational excellence in behavioral health and human services. He currently serves as Chief Information Officer at CenClear, leading initiatives in business transformation and innovation development. Previously, Joshua held roles as Director of IT and Network Operations Manager at CenClear, and Director of Technology at Penns Valley Area School District, where he built a strong foundation in systems optimization, budgeting, and team leadership to support organizational growth and improved service delivery.
Dennis Morrison, Ph.D.
Dr. Dennis Morrison is the owner of Morrison Consulting which has provided consulting services to the behavioral health information technology field since 2017. He currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer for Eleos Health. Previously he has served as Chief Clinical Officer for Netsmart Technologies, CEO of Centerstone Research Institute (CRI) and CEO of Center for Behavioral Health (CBH).
Academically, Dr. Morrison holds two Masters degrees in Psychology and Exercise Physiology from Ball State University. His doctorate is in Counseling Psychology also from Ball State University. In 2022, Ball State awarded him the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest award given to an alum. He is a prolific author, frequent presenter (including a TEDx talk), podcast host and co-inventor on a patent for a behavioral healthcare outcomes software product. A Navy veteran, he is a licensed, instrument-rated private pilot and triathlete completing 19 triathlons since turning 70.
Addressing Financial Sustainability: Executing – And Paying For – Multi-Layered Systems Upgrades
Adapting to the evolving workplace, changing reimbursement models, ever-increasing payer and regulatory demands, and managing a hybrid delivery system—compromising virtual, in-office, and in-home teams – presents unique execution and financial challenges. Based on an organization’s size and scale, how organizations respond may differ significantly. This case study session will explore best practices for small, medium, and larger provider organizations to manage costs, optimize resources, and ensure financial sustainability across diverse work environments while investing in systems upgrades. Attendees will learn how to successfully integrate financial strategies to balance the complexities of associated systems to manage hybrid teams, ensure efficient budgeting, resource allocation, and performance tracking, and meet payer reporting demands.
Thomas Grant
Tom Grant was appointed Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer for Woods Services in March, 2016. Mr. Grant engages in short and long-range strategic and operational growth planning for the organization. He brings more than 20 years of finance and strategy consulting experience to the organization. Prior to coming to Woods, he ran his own management consulting firm specializing in efficiency initiatives, leadership, strategic planning, turn-arounds, and business development needs of both non-profit organizations and for-profit businesses. In this role, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for Archway Programs in New Jersey.
Before launching his own company, he held similar management consulting positions with a number of business development companies. Mr. Grant has counseled clients on a wide range of topics including process optimization, cash flow management, fund raising, structure, best practices, profitability and pricing arrangements. He also has worked as an emerging markets analyst in Thailand, Hong Kong, and a number of South American countries. Mr. Grant holds an MBA from the Darden School of Business of the University of Virginia and a bachelor’s degree from Davidson College.
Finding A Financially Sustainable Path To Digital Transformation: The Executive’s Tech Challenge
Executive leaders are tasked with navigating a digital transformation journey that is as financially stable as it is innovative. Join OPEN MINDS Chief Executive Officer, Monica E. Oss, as she explores the critical intersection of technology adoption, financial sustainability, and strategic leadership. Learn how to align digital investments with organizational goals, build executive and board-level support for innovation, and lead a culture of change and digital readiness.
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.