Trusted Health Systems Experts

Nia Rennix is a humanitarian leader, food systems architect, and social impact founder reshaping how communities experience dignity-centered food access. As CEO of The Rennix Weigh Group and creator of HungerDash™, she designs modern, trauma-free food systems that restore choice, reduce stigma, and bring culturally meaningful nourishment to families who have been historically overlooked. With 17+ years of experience across clinical nutrition, public health, and community mobilization, Nia has led large-scale food access redesigns, advised organizations on dignity-centered system transformation, and mobilized cross-sector partnerships that strengthen resilience across diverse regions. Her work bridges humanitarian leadership, system design, and community voice—creating models that blend compassion, innovation, and cultural understanding to generate long-term, community-wide impact.

Olusegun "Ish" Ishmael, MD, MBA, FACHE, is a physician executive and health-tech founder with 20+ years of C-suite leadership across safety-net health systems and Medicaid managed care, with a track record of translating strategy into measurable operational and clinical results. Most recently, he served as System Chief Operating Officer & Hospital President at MetroHealth (Cleveland), leading day-to-day operations for a $1.9B system with 8,000+ employees across multiple hospitals and 32 outpatient sites, driving $400M+ revenue growth, improving ED throughput and capacity, strengthening care management, and elevating patient experience. Previously at Sinai Health System (Chicago), he reduced ED boarding by a third and cut surgery cancellations in half through flow redesign, capacity optimization, and execution discipline. He has also led within Medicaid health plans with P&L accountability, improving medical cost performance while advancing outcomes and access. He is the CEO/Founder of MIRA Health, building a digital prevention and medication-adherence companion (with patented technology) designed to improve health outcomes, especially for people disadvantaged by socioeconomic barriers. An immigrant (came to the States at 5) physician-leader, he brings a practical, lived understanding of how systems can widen, or close, opportunity gaps, and he focuses his work on scalable solutions that make care simpler, more consistent, and more equitable. Topics I can speak on (expertise): ED throughput & capacity management; care management; patient experience; safety-net strategy; Medicaid policy/managed care; value-based care; health equity/SDOH; clinical leadership; workforce engagement and culture; digital health adoption; startup building; business growth; minority health issues; immigrant life; and executive leadership.

Dr. James Lyons, M.D., is an internationally trained physician that was born in Germany. He is the son of a teacher and army veteran and was raised in Texas, but traveled extensively during his medical training. From medical rotations in French Hospital Systems, to his training in Miami at Ryder Trauma medical center and psychiatric training at TGK Prison, his depth of knowledge for those in acute crises is vast. In addition to his doctorate in medicine, Dr. Lyons also holds a Masters of Medical Sciences and coordinated research trials for schizophrenia pharmaceutical treatments in Dallas, TX. He completed his residency in Rural Michigan as a Family Medicine Physician, where he made home visits, and was rigorously trained in all aspects of medical care from delivering and caring for newborns, to end of life care. In his final year of training, he was named chief resident of this program. After 3 additional years practicing in rural east texas as a hospitalist in the acute setting, he, his wife, and their 4 children now reside back in Texas where he was raised, where his parents are retired, and where his sister works as a registered nurse in hospital leadership. Dr. Lyons continues to practice medicine in the acute setting as a hospitalist and emergency room physician in the greater Austin area. Aside from direct patient care, Dr. Lyons provides medical expertise and consulting while also being actively involved in performance improvement, infection control, and medical executive committees in the hospitals where he practices.

Dr. Kyle Hoedebecke, MD, MBA, MPA, MS, FAAFP, CPE, is a West Point graduate, certified physician executive, and global healthcare leader with over two decades of leadership experience across more than 120 countries. In addition to his medical degree, he holds four master’s degrees and two professional fellowships. During his distinguished career in the U.S. Army, Dr. Hoedebecke was selected by the Surgeon General as the U.S. Army Physician of the Year in 2017. Following his military service, he became the first Utilization Management Medical Director at Oscar Health, where he built and led a dynamic team that helped guide the company’s successful public offering in 2021. Today, Dr. Hoedebecke serves as the Managing Partner of 1836 Ventures, investing in innovative healthcare technologies that improve clinical outcomes, enhance patient satisfaction, and reduce costs. He is also a Clinical Advisor at Alpas Virginia (NOVA), where he supports the integration of evidence-based medical care and advanced treatment models to optimize patient recovery and well-being.

As Co-Founder and CEO of Payorology, I help medical practices optimize their payor contract negotiations by leveraging price transparency data. Our work uncovers significant revenue opportunities by analyzing the current contracted rates of local peer practices, providing healthcare providers with actionable insights for successful negotiations. Previously, I served as EVP of Partnerships at Chegg, Inc., where I led business development and sales initiatives across multiple business lines, and held leadership roles at Yahoo! and LivingSocial. My experience spans interactive media, sales, and marketing, with a track record of driving growth and innovation. Outside of work, I served on the Board of Directors for The Advertising Council, Inc., contributing to impactful public service campaigns. I hold bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture from the University of Florida. With a passion for supporting healthcare providers and a strong foundation in sales and marketing, I lead Payorology in delivering value-driven solutions that empower medical practices to thrive.

Richard Brown Jr., MBA, is a U.S. Army Veteran, healthcare entrepreneur, and founder of Essential Living Support, LLC — a veteran-owned, home-based care organization in Cheyenne, Wyoming. With more than a decade of experience in healthcare administration, direct support, and community-based services, Richard specializes in providing high-quality residential and in-home care for Veterans and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. His work is grounded in dignity, independence, and person-centered support, ensuring every individual receives the same respect and compassion he once provided as a soldier caring for his team. Richard holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management, which equip him with expertise in clinical operations, leadership, and regulatory compliance. His career includes service with the Department of Child Protective Services, support roles in the Microsoft Data Center, and extensive experience as a Shared Home Provider under the Wyoming DD Waiver. He also operates a VA-approved Medical Foster Home, delivering 24/7 care, medication administration, life-skills development, and community integration services from a family-style residential setting. Guided by a mission to elevate the standard of care for vulnerable populations, Richard blends business strategy with hands-on service. He actively collaborates with local organizations, veteran networks, and disability advocates to expand access to high-quality support programs in Wyoming. His leadership reflects integrity, accountability, and a deep commitment to strengthening the lives of others through meaningful connection, structured support, and community inclusion. Richard’s long-term vision is to scale Essential Living Support into a recognized model of compassionate care — where Veterans and individuals with disabilities are not just housed, but empowered to live with purpose, safety, and belonging.

Brian is the Chief AI Officer at Health-Vision.AI, LLC, where he leads responsible AI implementation and develops ethical AI, security, and governance frameworks for healthcare and life sciences organizations in the US and EU. He is also the founder of Envision-Health.AI and creator of HealthRoundsAI, a platform that helps future clinicians use AI ethically and communicate more effectively with patients. With decades of public- and private-sector experience in health tech, AI strategy, data governance, and digital innovation, Brian is a recognized thought leader on AI ethics, AI governance, and the societal impacts of AI in healthcare. He also serves as an adjunct instructor in social sciences and AI ethics and has published in JMIR, Public Health Reports, and the Journal of Community Health.

With over 20 years of executive leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, I am passionate about creating positive social impact and system change through collaboration, strategy, and innovation. As the CEO of HealthForce Partners California, I lead a cross-sector, multi-regional, non-profit partnership that connects healthcare, education, and workforce development to mitigate workforce shortages and build career opportunities in the regions we serve.

Dr. Saravanan Thangarajan is a global climate, health, and equity governance advisor focused on how heat, air pollution, and resource insecurity shape health outcomes in climate vulnerable settings. His work connects policy, financing, and frontline service delivery, with a strong emphasis on maternal health, mental health, and community resilience. Trained in dentistry, health administration, and global health delivery, he brings operational and systems experience across public health programs and digital health infrastructure. He provides clear, quote ready insights on climate adaptation for health systems, equity centered governance, and implementation pathways that move evidence into action.

Dr. Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology at North Dakota State University, internationally recognized for his pioneering work at the intersection of digital epidemiology, pharmacovigilance, and artificial intelligence. His research harnesses advanced statistical modeling and AI to track and predict health behaviors, medication safety, and disease patterns in real time—bridging traditional epidemiology with next-generation digital health analytics. Dr. Bhagavathula has published more than 250 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals, including Annals of Epidemiology, JAMA Network Open, and Lancet Digital Health. His work has been widely cited and featured in major media outlets such as The New York Times, where he discussed the real-world safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro). Recognized among the Stanford–Elsevier Top 2% of Scientists (2019–2024) and elected as a Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology, Dr. Bhagavathula is known for translating complex data into actionable insights that shape public health policy and clinical practice. His ongoing projects include NIH- and NSF-aligned initiatives on AI-powered overdose forecasting, digital twins for public health, and real-world drug safety surveillance using explainable machine learning. With a decade of experience spanning more than two dozen countries and collaborations with organizations such as WHO, USAID, and UNICEF, Dr. Bhagavathula brings a global, data-driven, and human-centered approach to solving modern health crises.

My career in healthcare leadership has evolved to a dynamic intersection of clinical excellence and operational optimization as a Nurse Executive. Leveraging a PhD in Nursing Administration and a rich background as a nurse leader, I specialize in transforming healthcare for administrators and frontline staff alike. The mission to elevate patient care through innovation and strategic relationships guides my approach. My career has spanned multiple areas of expertise from adult critical care, emergency services (hospital and non hospital based), and pediatrics. I am uniquely positioned to provide guidance in hospital operations, reimbursement, staffing, engagement, and retention in a constantly pivoting economic and political climate.

Specialties: Population Health, Care Management, Accountable Care Organizations, Sustainable Health Communities, Provider Engagement, Product Development, Business & Health Care Strategy, Product Sales Support, Business Process Management, Telemedicine, Healthcare Information Technology, Operations, Physician Engagement, Clinical Redesign, Patient Flow, Wellness, Strategy, Patient Centered Medical Home, Health Policy, Managed Care, Medicaid, Medicare, Regulatory, Boards, Governance, Public Sector, Public Health, Analytics. Leadership Development and Nursing

I hold a B.S. in Life Science and a Doctorate in Chiropractic, and my passion for mental wellness took a personal turn after a close loved one faced a suicide crisis. This experience fueled my drive to find practical, impactful solutions for mental wellness that can be integrated into everyday life and business environments. As a Mental Wellness Integration Architect, I specialize in helping businesses incorporate mental wellness strategies into their operations to support clients and employees. My work involves designing and implementing tailored mental wellness frameworks that improve stress management, reduce burnout, and foster resilience—while also generating new revenue streams through product recommendations and wellness conversations. My approach empowers businesses to make a difference without needing prior expertise in mental health, creating long-term impact and profitability.

Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani is a Professor of Public Health at New Mexico State University (NMSU), known for his extensive research and expertise in global health and social epidemiology

The platform offers a wide range of medical treatments and surgical services. I help patients access affordable, high-quality care across 28 JCI-accredited MedicalPark hospital branches, together with 8 Liv Hospitals and 2 ISUdent dental hospitals throughout Turkey.

Experienced CEO with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital & health care industry. Skilled in technology lead transformation and change, talent and performance management, and product and business strategy.

Ganesh Ariyur is a global enterprise technology executive and a Top 100 Digital Adoption Leader for 2025. He is known for delivering more than $500M in measurable enterprise value through large-scale digital transformation, enterprise systems modernization, cloud strategy, artificial intelligence adoption, data governance, & enterprise architecture leadership. His work spans more than 90 countries across Fortune 500 organizations, private-equity owned companies, and highly regulated industries. Ganesh serves as the Global Head of Enterprise Technology Strategy and Transformation at Gainwell Technologies, a $3B healthcare technology organization. He directs modernization programs across SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Cloud ERP, PeopleSoft, cloud platforms on AWS and Azure, enterprise applications, reporting and analytics, generative AI, intelligent automation, enterprise architecture, IT governance, and cybersecurity, aligned with operating models. His programs have delivered multi-million-dollar cost savings. He has directed enterprise portfolios valued at more than $1B. He has unified 450-plus legacy systems, led technology programs supporting more than $30B in M&A value, and guided organizations through complex TSA exits and carve-outs. Ganesh brings deep expertise in artificial intelligence-enabled operating models, multi-ERP modernization including SAP S/4 HANA, Oracle Cloud, & Workday, cloud strategy and FinOps, enterprise architecture, data, infrastructure, cybersecurity improvement, data quality & analytics modernization, robotic process automation & intelligent automation, shared services/global business services, organizational design, and long-term value creation. His people-process-technology approach led to his being named a Global Top 100 Digital Adoption Leader. He is a Certified AI Business Transformation Practitioner & a Certified Technology Innovation Practitioner. He is also a member of the Forbes Technology Council. He was publicly recognized for global transformation leadership when he was featured on billboards across Germany during a major enterprise program at Bayer. Ganesh is known for partnering with boards, CEOs, CFOs, & private equity operating teams. He aligns technology strategy with growth objectives, cost discipline, compliance needs, & long-term enterprise value. Based in Atlanta, he is regarded as a CIO leader who turns complexity into clarity and who consistently converts technology investment into measurable business outcomes.

Solving complex healthcare problems with innovative applications and simple solutions for…

I’m a lifesciences compliance strategist with a passion for building real-world, right-sized programs in fast-moving environments. With deep experience in pharma and medtech, I specialize in translating regulatory complexity into practical, actionable frameworks. I’ve spent 7+ years navigating the gray areas of compliance—from training physicians on industry expectations to building startup programs from the ground up. I believe compliance should be ethical, functional, and human-centered—and that culture is built through clarity, storytelling, and respect, not fear. Outside of policy and audits, I speak regularly on startup compliance and love turning “boring” topics into memorable moments. I'm here to connect, create, and contribute.

Serving more than 2 million persons directly and indirectly with health education and wellness. Global stages to include, Haiti, Liberia, Jamaica, to name a few. We work with healthcare owners in our region to recover the $200,000 to $1M in annual profit they are currently losing to agency travelers and RN turnover by fixing the 'Manager Disconnect' that's driving their best people away.