Trusted Health Systems Experts

I’m a seasoned professional in the healthcare industry, deeply committed to making a difference in mental and behavioral health. My journey is personal, shaped by the impact that mental health has had on the lives of my family and friends. Over the past decade, I’ve dedicated myself to advancing the quality and accessibility of care, and my time at Penn Medicine inspired me to develop Alpas, a company focused on creating better environments for healing across various healthcare fields. Graduating summa cum laude from Saint Joseph’s University in Healthcare Administration, I’ve always been driven to go beyond individual care and address broader public health needs. My mission is simple yet powerful: to transform healthcare for the better, one initiative at a time.

I am a seasoned mental health and addiction specialist, dedicated to the field of treatment and recovery since 2015. I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in clinical mental health counseling from South University in Royal Palm Beach, FL, and I am credentialed as both a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS). Over the years, I've gained hands-on experience in various areas, including psychiatric acute stabilization, psychiatric partial hospitalization, and both in-patient and out-patient substance use treatment. My journey has taken me through clinical counseling, program development, and organizational leadership. Before joining New Waters, I served as the Clinical Director at Gupta Psychiatry and Wellness in Raleigh, NC, where I helped shape a respected substance abuse partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient program. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of quality clinical programming and its impact on long-term sobriety. With a compassionate approach, I am committed to helping individuals and families overcome substance use disorders, guiding them toward a life free from addiction.

Dr. James Utley is a pioneering scientist at the forefront of cellular therapy, AI, and data science. A Johns Hopkins-educated Immunohematology expert and Certified Advanced Biotherapies Professional (CABP), he also holds advanced certifications in data science and machine learning. While serving as Technical Director at a major healthcare organization, Dr. Utley oversaw more than 150,000 successful cellular transfusions and spearheaded advancements that significantly improved patient outcomes. This experience included leading initiatives for the Department of Defense, where he revolutionized cellular transfusion practices. His innovative approach is further exemplified by his FDA-approved work and numerous publications in leading scientific journals. Dr. Utley is also known for his bold, hands-on approach to research, embodying the spirit of a "biohacker" by pushing the boundaries of CRISPR and genetic engineering through self-experimentation. This unique blend of rigorous scientific training and unconventional methods has earned him the moniker "the pirate" within the biohacker community.

Hello! I'm a board-certified radiologist, clinical leader, and founder of The Ergo Shoppe, an e-commerce store focused on ergonomic products and workplace wellness. For over 20 years, I have practiced in a busy Level 1 trauma center and currently serve as department chair at Mercy Hospital-Lincoln. My subspecialty is in musculoskeletal imaging, with a focus on sports medicine, injury evaluation, and return-to-play protocols. Since 2013, I've served as a consulting radiologist for the St. Louis Cardinals MLB team. Earlier in my career, I held similar roles with the Chicago Bears NFL team and NCAA Division I athletes at Northwestern University. My clinical expertise also includes arthritis imaging, oncologic imaging, and emergency medicine. In 2023, I launched The Ergo Shoppe to mesh my medical background with the world of ergonomics. My company offers curated products designed to enhance how people work and feel. I write much of the blog content myself, focusing on evidence-based insights around posture, productivity, and wellness. Outside of medicine and business, I'm interested in personal finance and investing—managing a portion of my portfolio while working with a financial advisor. I mentor early-career doctors on navigating burnout, building financial literacy, and making informed career moves—areas often overlooked in medical school and residency. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve become focused on fitness and healthy aging—particularly how strength training, mobility, and daily movement habits can improve long-term health, resilience, and overall quality of life.

I’m Peter Lai, the Chief Financial Officer at Engage Wellness. I oversee all aspects of the company’s financial management, providing strategic direction to teams in accounting and controls, financial planning, tax, treasury, and investor relations. My role involves partnering with business leaders to execute strategies that drive profitable growth. With over 20 years of financial management experience, I’ve held leadership roles in diverse industries. Before joining Engage Wellness, I served as the CFO for Haven Health Management, specializing in clinical, medical, and psychiatric care for substance use and mental health disorders. I’ve also held financial management positions at Lenovo and ADT Security Services. I earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University.

Most organizations don’t fail because of bad strategy. They fail because they can’t follow through. That’s where I come in. I work with executive teams to close the gap between vision and execution, building the structure, accountability, and focus needed to deliver measurable results. My expertise spans SEO, direct primary care strategy, and business consulting, with a proven record of scaling healthcare membership by 170 percent and generating $82 million in federal economic impact. Whether leading complex initiatives or rebuilding underperforming systems, I drive clarity, align operations, and create momentum that lasts.

Neeraj Kumar is a tech writer specializing in health tech and EdTech, with expertise in SEO, SaaS growth, and content strategy. He simplifies complex topics like telehealth, AI in education, and automation, offering insights that inform and inspire.

I am the co-founder of Epiphany Wellness, bringing over five years of experience in the Behavioral Health industry, with a focus on Outreach and Business Development. My journey in this field is deeply personal, as I am in long-term recovery myself, a perspective that allows me to connect meaningfully with those suffering from Substance Use Disorder. I firmly believe that helping others is essential to lasting recovery and personal growth. At Epiphany Wellness, my goal is to create an environment that inspires our staff to support clients as they find their way back to a life of health and happiness. Drawing from my previous experiences, I am dedicated to shaping the future of our organization by implementing the latest clinical strategies and improvement indicators. This commitment ensures that we provide the highest standard of care, ultimately supporting the success of both our clients and Epiphany Wellness as a whole.

I am the CEO and Chief Marketing Officer of Paramount Wellness Retreat, where I've dedicated over 12 years to advancing behavioral health and helping individuals find their path to recovery. My journey in this field has been driven by a hands-on approach and a commitment to innovative strategies, making Paramount Wellness Retreat a beacon of hope for those struggling with mental health and substance abuse. My background in marketing, research, and team-building has been invaluable in navigating the substance abuse treatment industry, allowing me to build effective leadership teams and enhance the operational efficiency of our programs. I am deeply passionate about behavioral health and am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals seeking recovery.

Dr. Blen Tesfu is a Physician, a Master of Public Health candidate, and an advocate for women’s health with extensive experience in both primary and tertiary care settings.

At the helm of Nova Insights, my focus is on steering digital product development, consulting and advising in humanizing digital transformation for the healthcare sector, primarily in North America. With a strategic eye on product value enhancement and market expansion, my role involves advising stakeholders on opportunities that drive product significance and user engagement. Our aim is to elevate clinical products and services for a diverse clientele, including patients, providers, and practitioners. In parallel, as a Global Fellow at HITLAB, I am immersed in a culture of innovation, contributing digital health strategies alongside industry professionals and thought leaders. The synergy of these roles equips me with a unique vantage point to foster advancements in healthcare through mobile and digital technologies, aiming for increased accessibility and affordability for all. The dedication to improving healthcare delivery is both a professional mandate and a personal mission that guides my actions and aspirations.

Howard Friedman, MD Cleveland, OH 44124 Email: drfriedman@hhomllc.com | Phone: 332-268-1006 Professional Summary Board-certified Internal Medicine physician and U.S. Army veteran with over 30 years of clinical experience, now leading a national telehealth consulting practice. Formerly a senior VA physician and medical manager, I bring a deep understanding of disability medicine, chronic disease management, and veteran healthcare. As founder of HHOM LLC, I provide personalized medical opinions, Nexus Letters, and preventative health education to veterans, attorneys, and consulting agencies. Licensed in Ohio and Pennsylvania, I remain committed to evidence-based care, integrity in medical evaluation, and expanding access through virtual platforms. Work Experience • Founder & Medical Consultant, Howard’s House of Medicine (HHOM LLC) – Cleveland, OH (Jan 2024 – Present): Founded a national telehealth-based consulting practice focused on veteran advocacy, Nexus Letters, and preventative health education. Provides evidence-based opinions and teleconsultations to veterans and legal professionals. • Independent Physician Consultant – Cleveland, OH (Oct 2021 – Dec 2023): Transitioned from clinical practice to consultative telemedicine and legal medical review. • Medical Manager / Lead Physician, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Willoughby, OH (Jan 2002 – Oct 2021): Directed outpatient services, led telemedicine programs, supervised interdisciplinary care teams, and earned multiple performance awards. • Staff Physician, University Hospitals of Cleveland – Cleveland, OH (Jun 2000 – Sep 2002): Managed practice integration and clinical continuity. • Staff Physician, Mount Sinai Health Care System – Cleveland, OH (Aug 1995 – Jun 2000): Delivered outpatient care and participated in practice transitions. • Staff Physician, Center for Internal Medicine – Beachwood, OH (Aug 1993 – Jul 1995): Developed outpatient services, conducted inpatient rounds, and taught medical residents. Certifications and Licenses • Board Certified, Internal Medicine, National Board of Physicians and Surgeons (NBPAS), 2025–2027 • Medical License – Ohio, Active through Jan 2027 • Medical License – Pennsylvania, Active • DEA License, Schedule 2, 2N, 3 – Valid through 2027

As Co-CEO of NEUROFIT and a three-time tech founder, I combine a background in computer science from Caltech with a decade of experience building wellness technology that's reached millions globally. My journey from experiencing Complex PTSD to creating innovative solutions for stress and burnout has shaped NEUROFIT's data-driven approach to nervous system regulation, now used by 2,000+ health professionals and 60,000+ users across 100+ countries worldwide. Prior to NEUROFIT, my expertise in product development and engineering led me through technical roles at Snapchat and Headspace, and as a product consultant for Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. My venture-backed products have earned international recognition with features in Forbes, Well+Good, Men's Health, MedicalNewsToday, SHAPE, and more. At NEUROFIT, we've pioneered a unique approach to stress management and burnout prevention, that combines cutting-edge technology with body-based interventions, helping active users achieve an average 54% reduction in stress levels within their first week.