The evolving health and human service landscape places a premium on new skills from all executive team members— and executives must take a pivotal role in the technology investment and transformation process. To effectively navigate the increasing complexity of these roles, today’s leaders must be informed, able to identify the financial impact of technology decisions, and willing to create strategies to ensure ongoing economic sustainability when it comes to tech their investments.
The OPEN MINDS Technology Investment Learning Path was meticulously designed to equip you with essential skills, provide valuable perspective, and offer practical solutions to some of the most challenging technology investment questions facing organizations as the industry embraces AI, value-based reimbursement, integrated care, and increased competition.
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Finding An Electronic Health Record System For Your Future: The 2025 OPEN MINDS Seminar On Best Practices In EHR Selection, Contracting & 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
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.
Dee Dewitt
Dee DeWitt has extensive experience as a consultant and corporate leader in the healthcare field. Mr. DeWitt brings over 28 years of experience in healthcare finance and operations, M&A, use of technology, strategic planning, and change management in healthcare organizations to OPEN MINDS as a Senior Associate.
Previously, Mr. DeWitt was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Momentum for Health, a CARF-accredited non-profit behavioral health organization providing services to individuals with a diagnosed serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance abuse disorder, in San Jose, California. During his tenure, Mr. DeWitt increased outpatient productivity by 25% and contributed to growing revenues from $55 million to a projected $71+ million for the fiscal year of 2023. Mr. DeWitt also oversaw Momentum ‘s pilot with Santa Clara County’s transition to Netsmart Provider Connect and led a successful grant award and implementation of a multi-year paid intern program in partnership with Santa Clara University, San Jose University, and Palo Alto University.
Mr. DeWitt was also the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Veridian Financial Group, a strategic consulting firm specializing in performing long-term, onsite C-level and Director roles, evaluating and implementing financial strategies, strategic operational planning, and development strategies for companies that are poised for significant growth, change, or require turnaround attention, in San Jose, California. During his time at Veridian Financial Group, Mr. DeWitt focused primarily on healthcare, finance, technology, and private equity and coordinated licensing, compliance, and external audits for 42 state licenses, including managed care organizations, managed care plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and service provider organizations.
In addition, Mr. DeWitt served as Chief Financial Officer and a Consultant in Strategic Planning and Finance for Home Recovery – Home Aid, Inc., a private equity-backed, for-profit company that provides personal care and skilled care in 35 locations and in-home care throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. During his time there, Mr. DeWitt was a member of the company’s executive management team, audit team, and License and Compliance team. Mr. DeWitt also served as Chief Financial Officer of Professional Healthcare Resources, Inc., a for-profit holding company comprised of five home health companies, four hospice companies, and two private duty/personal care companies. Mr. DeWitt has also been the Chief Financial and Technology Officer for The Filson, a nationally renowned non-profit archive and research institute, and Director of Strategic Development for Signature Healthcare, LLC, a national private equity-backed for-profit, long-term care company operating over 180 facilities, with 18,000 employees, and over $1 billion in revenues.
Mr. DeWitt also held the positions of Deputy Director of Behavioral Health at the County of Ventura, CA Behavioral Health Services Department, and Director of Finance and Management Services of the Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS), a joint commissioned accredited non-profit.
Mr. DeWitt graduated from the University of Louisville, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and a Master’s in Political Science with a concentration in Economics and Public Policy.
Best Practices For Investing In Technology & AI: The 2025 OPEN MINDS Executive Seminar On Maximizing Your Tech’s ROI For Future Competitive Advantage
In an era of accelerating change, health care organizations must make strategic, data-informed investments in technology and artificial intelligence to remain competitive and financially sustainable. This executive-level seminar will explore how to evaluate, implement, and optimize tech and AI solutions that drive measurable ROI, improve clinical and operational outcomes, and position your organization for long-term advantage.
Through case studies, expert insights and peer dialogue, participants will gain practical frameworks for prioritizing technology investments, aligning digital strategy with enterprise goals, and ensuring adoption and impact across the organization. Designed for C-suite leaders, this seminar offers the strategic guidance needed to future-proof your organization and lead with confidence in an increasingly digital health landscape.
Key topics include:
- Identifying high-impact AI and tech investments that deliver enterprise value
- Measuring ROI beyond cost savings: quality, outcomes, and workforce efficiency
- Avoiding pitfalls in tech adoption and implementation
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.
Paul M. Duck
Paul M. Duck brings over 30 years of experience in leadership and management focusing on managed care, health information technology organizations, strategy, business development, and market expansion, and customer experience optimization to the OPEN MINDS team.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Duck served as the Vice President, Strategy & Development at Beacon Health Options. In this role, Mr. Duck led the organization’s strategy and business development efforts – responsible for a 30% increase in net revenue and initiated over $1 billion in revenue generation. Mr. Duck was active in national behavioral health initiatives as an executive of Beacon Health Options, including participating as a speaker at national and state association meetings.
Before joining Beacon Health Options, Mr. Duck was the Vice President of Business Development at Netsmart Technologies. During his tenure, Mr. Duck was responsible for business planning, including, the oversight of strategic activities including acquisitions, development, and execution of strategic initiatives, and positioning, and sales of large strategic customers. He also led the rollout of the company’s benchmarking and data analytics product suite.
Prior to Netsmart, Mr. Duck served as the Chief Executive Officer for Coastal Orthopedics and Pain Management, a large group practice with five clinic locations and two ambulatory surgical centers. As the organization’s chief executive officer, Mr. Duck was responsible for significant positive changes in leadership and corporate culture, financial and operational performance, compliance, and governance. Mr. Duck improved net collections by over $1 million per month and grew the practice through negotiating better contract rates with payers. He also implemented an organizational rebranding initiative and launched a new marketing campaign.
Prior to Coastal Orthopedics and Pain Management, Mr. Duck served as the President and Chief Executive Officer for Florida Radiology Imaging, one of the largest outpatient diagnostic imaging service companies serving the greater Orlando market. During his tenure, Mr. Duck led the construction of three new, full modality, diagnostic imaging locations. Mr. Duck revolutionized the company’s culture by creating a highly attractive and functional work environment.
Mr. Duck earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Case Western Reserve University. He earned his Associate of Arts in Electronic Engineering Technology from the Electronic Technology Institute. Mr. Duck received an award by Inc Magazine for leading Florida Radiology Imaging as one of America’s fastest-growing companies. Mr. Duck recently served as a contributing author to the book The New Health Age: The Future of Health Care in America.
Maintaining A Human Centered Approach In The Age Of AI With Kaiser Permanente
As AI reshapes health care delivery, Kaiser Permanente remains steadfast in its mission to put people first. In this visionary keynote, Richie Grantham, Senior Manager, Health Innovation at Kaiser Permanente will share how Kaiser’s integrated care model leverages artificial intelligence to enhance—but never replace—the human touch.
Learn how to strike the optimal balance between cutting-edge algorithms and compassionate care, ensuring that technology amplifies provider expertise and deepens patient trust.
Eye-Catching Digital Strategies For Enhanced Consumer Engagement
In today’s world, consumers are bombarded with millions of images and decisions every day. In this session, we’ll explore cutting-edge strategies designed to capture and sustain consumer attention, as well as potential employees, in today’s fast paced digital landscape. Learn how to leverage innovative technologies, personalize experiences and use data-driven insights to keep your consumers engaged to help achieve the goal of improving long term outcomes.
Hear from Centerstone, a nonprofit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments for people of all ages. Located in five states and serving over 100,000 individuals, Centerstone has been integrating alternative and creative approaches to digital marketing for consumer engagement and recruitment campaigns to reach the right audiences at the right time.
Key takeaways:
- Explore new platforms and placements for renewed consumer and recruitment engagement
- Discuss the funding strategies for engaging digital tools and techniques
- Learn new ways to meet your consumers and where they are
Jessica McCarthy
Jessica McCarthy is a seasoned marketing and communications leader with over 15 years of cross-sector experience spanning agency, corporate, and nonprofit environments. With a strong foundation in brand storytelling and a focus on customer engagement, she has built a career developing brands that resonate, connect, and deliver results.
Much of Jessica’s work has been concentrated in the healthcare space— from optometry and biotechnology to chronic pain and, most recently, mental health. In her current role as Director of Marketing Operations at Centerstone, she is passionate about driving efficiency, streamlining processes, and demonstrating that nonprofits with limited budgets can still create powerful, compelling work.
DJ Prince, MBA
Skills vs Strategy: The Tech Staffing You Really Need
During this time of rapid technological advancements and market change, the demand for skilled tech professionals is at an all-time high. But is focusing solely on technical skills the key to success? In this session, experts will explore the balance between technical expertise and strategic staffing, helping organizations navigate the complexities of building a high performing tech team. We will discuss the critical skills required for today’s health care technology landscape, how to align staffing strategies with long-term organizational goals, and the role of leadership in creating a cohesive, agile workforce that can respond quickly. Join us for insights into building a team that not only has the right technical skills but also the strategic vision to drive innovation and enhance patient care.
John Falsetti
Mr. Falsetti is currently the Chief Information Officer for Maryville Academy. A child welfare agency based in Des Plaines, Illinois. His areas of expertise include managing all areas of technology and information services, IT strategic planning, staff development, database development and warehousing, electronic health record (EHR) development and implementation, voice/data infrastructures, helpdesk and user training, business intelligence, and process re-engineering.
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.
Smart Investments In Health Care Technology (& What To Do When Things Go Wrong)
Harness the power of your technology investments as a tool to drive the growth of service lines and expand access to care. Hear case studies from organizations that have made the tough decision of what technology investments are right for their organizations and how they worked with key stakeholders and staff to facilitate smooth implementation.
Additionally, this session will address how to handle setbacks when things don’t go as planned, offering practical guidance on risk management, troubleshooting, and strategies for remaining flexible when the inevitable bumps in the tech road happen.
Vishal Bhatt, MHA
The Age Of Digital Therapeutics & How To Be Reimbursed
As digital therapeutics continue to evolve and prove their clinical efficacy, health care organizations face both exciting opportunities and complex challenges in adoption and reimbursement. This session will explore the current landscape of digital therapeutics (DTx), with a focus on how executives can strategically integrate these tools into care delivery while navigating the evolving reimbursement models.
Attendees will gain insight into:
- The role of digital therapeutics in enhancing patient outcomes in behavioral health, chronic disease, and preventative care
- Current regulatory frameworks and FDA-cleared DTx pathways
- Key partnerships, billing codes, and documentation practices that drive financial sustainability
Lisa Palko, PharmD
Lisa Palko, PharmD most recently serves as the Executive Director at the Society for Digital Mental Health and Medical Advisor for Digital Health Strategy at HealthSystemInnovations. Previously, Dr. Palko was the Vice President of Scientific Medical Affairs at AKILI, Inc.
Throughout her extensive career, Dr. Palko worked with various biotech/pharmaceutical companies formulating and executing strategies for medical affairs, and market access teams. With more than two decades working in mental digital health/medicine organizations, she has been invited to advise on several pre-market applications and was instrumental in the development of a military population health tool. She was asked to participate in several speaking engagements demonstrating the use of technology to support the opioid crisis and is a trainer for naloxone administration. Prior to entering industry, she was a geropsychiatric research administrator/clinician and was the Senior Director, Pharmacy, Research and Outcomes at UPMC Health Plan.
Dr. Palko received her Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy with a specialization in psychiatry and is a passionate advocate for mental health and technology-driven solutions.
Growing Despite Cuts: How Technology & Analytics Can Support Sustainability
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
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.
Closing Keynote
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.