Physician Leader Profiles

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Hamad Al-Omar, MD, MBA — Dr. Al-Omar is a practicing hematologist and a bone marrow transplant subspecialist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He finished his training in Hematology and bone marrow transplant in June 1999 in Canada and the U.S. After acquisition of the new facility of KFSH&RC–Jeddah by the parent facility KFSH&RC–Riyadh, he was chosen as a leader in establishing the bone marrow transplant service and became the first director of the program. The program achieved its first-year targets in only 6 months. He was also the second man in the Research and Technology Department, which is now the Research Center of KFSH&RC–Jeddah. He was recently appointed as the Assistant Executive Director of the Research Center. In addition, he was instrumental in bringing and developing the concept of a Biotechnology Cluster in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Biotechnology Cluster will be the first of its kind in the region. He is a founding member and a coordinator of the Jeddah BioCity Holding Company Executive Board, which is partially owned by KFSH&RC–Jeddah. He also started a successful collaborative program between KFSH&RC and University of Nebraska. He envisions himself as a leader, not a manager, of large innovative programs with a positive large impact.

Essam Al-Sabban, MD, MBA — Dr. Al-Sabban is the Executive Director of the Research Center and Chief of International Collaboration at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Prior to his current appointments he was chairman of pediatrics, head, section of pediatric nephrology and directed pediatric residency training and pediatric nephrology programs for KFSP&RC in both Jeddah and Riyadh. He is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatric Nephrology and by the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Al-Sabban received his medical degree from the Cairo University. He has served as a consultant and participated on many hospital committees. He has published many articles and papers in several peer-reviewed journals.

Ken Bielak, MD, MBA — Dr. Bielak is a family physician with extensive experience in academic medicine. He also is in private practice. His medical degree is from Michigan State University and he also holds a master of arts in special education from Eastern Michigan University as well as a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan. Dr. Bielak is board-certified by the American Board of Family Practice and is ALSO and ACLS certified. Dr. Bielak is an associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine at The University of Tennessee's Graduate School of Medicine. Additionally, within his department, he is appointed as the director of sports medicine fellowship and clinical director of the family practice center. He is also co-chair of the department's Curriculum Committee. He has served on several committees at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. He is the team physician for the University of Tennessee's basketball team and the Women's Athletic Department. In the past, he has served as a medical director, team physician, and assistant director. Dr. Bielak has presented at several professional meetings and conferences. He has been published in Family Medicine and has written or contributed chapters to seven medical textbooks.

Berta Briones, MD, MBA — Dr. Briones was born in Nicaragua. She completed medical school in Costa Rica. She completed pulmonary/critical care and sleep disorders training at the Case Western Reserve University Program. She is board-certified in internal medicine and pulmonary and sleep disorders. After experiencing managed care as a solo pulmonologist in Hartsville, South Carolina, she returned to Cleveland to start a more rewarding career as an emergency room physician with Emergency Professional Services, Inc., now part of Team Health. Since completing her fellowship in 1995, she has felt the need to learn more about the business aspects of medicine.

Robert L. Cirillo, Jr., MD, MBA — After graduating from the Georgetown University School of Medicine, Dr. Cirillo completed a residency in diagnostic radiology and a then a fellowship in interventional radiology at the University of Rochester. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Radiology and Vascular Surgery at Medical College of Virginia where he is also interim director of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology section. He just recently accepted a new position at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center for spring of 2002. He has an interest in clinical research and has been published in many peer-reviewed journals.

Ed Diamond, MD, MBA — Dr. Diamond is President of Suburban Lung Associates, a pulmonary, critical care, allergy, and sleep practice serving the western suburbs of Chicago since 1982. He practices pulmonary medicine with a special interest in advanced diagnostic testing and vocal cord dysfunction syndrome. He directs The Lung Diagnostic Center that provides pulmonary diagnostic testing to the inpatient and outpatients of two hospitals.

Dr. Diamond is the Treasurer and member of the Board of Regents and of the Executive Committee of the American College of Chest Physicians. He is a past Chair of the Private Practice Network and a past representative for the ACCP to the RVS Update Committee of the American Medical Association. He shares his expertise in practice management through lectures and publications.

Natashia Dooley, MD, MBA — Dr. Dooley is the Administrative Medical Director for Primary Health Care in Oak Park, Michigan. She graduated from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. She was appointed two research fellowships at Meharry Medical College. She is a member of the Association of Women Surgeons, American Medical Women's Association, and the Louis J. Bernard Surgical Society. Dr. Dooley seeks an MBA to enable her to seek "solutions to the problems and rapidly changing faces of healthcare."

Carla Dukes, DO, MBA — Dr. Dukes graduated from University of Tennessee PEMBA program in 2002. Immediately following graduation she became the physician advisor of the quality management and case management teams of her hospital. Subsequently she led a Rapid Cycle Financial Improvement Team and the redesign of the Quality System at her institution. In July of 2003 she became the Emergency Medicine Residency Program Director for St. Joseph's Mercy of Macomb—a new program instituted in July 2003. She practiced emergency medicine since 1983 after prior service with the National Health Service Corps in family practice in Middleton, Tennessee. She was dedicated to providing care to the historically underserved and has provided part time emergency care with Indian Health Services. Dr. Dukes received the Michigan Medical Society Physician Service award in 2002. Dr. Dukes was a member of the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians Board of Directors. She passed away after an extended illness.

Stephen Knazik, DO, MBA — Dr. Knazik is a 2002 graduate of PEMBA. Active as the medical director of the emergency department at Children's Hospital of Michigan, a freestanding children's hospital in Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Knazik continues to see patients on nights and weekends as a reward for a good week administrating. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at Wayne State University–School of Medicine, with an active teaching and research interests as well. He is particularly interested in end of life pediatric care, access to care for pediatric patients, and children's mental health access. He is on the board of directors of the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians and pursues advocacy for children's health issues and access to care for the underserved. Dr. Knazik was married to his wife of nearly three decades, Carla Dukes, DO, MBA, who was also a 2002 PEMBA graduate. Dr. Knazik has two adult children, Natalie and Gabrielle.

Demetrius E. Litwin, MD, MBA — Dr. Litwin, Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, is Chief of the Department of Surgery as well as Division Chief of General Surgery at UMass Memorial Medical Center. He joined the faculty of UMass Memorial in August of 1997 as Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery Services and Director of the EndoSurgery Center at the University of Massachusetts and was quickly recognized for his leadership skills. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Canada, Dr. Litwin received his medical degree from the University of Saskatchewan. In addition to completing a five year surgical residency program at the University of Saskatchewan, he received specialty training in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery as well as in surgical endoscopy in Toronto, Ontario. Prior to his UMass Memorial appointments, Dr. Litwin was Director of Minimal Access Surgery at the University of Toronto, Ontario. Dr. Litwin is a member of numerous surgical societies and associations including the International College of Surgeons, Massachusetts Medical Society, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, and the American-Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association. He sat on the Board of Governors of SAGES from 1999–2002, co-chaired the SAGES Credentials Committee, and is currently on their Ethics Committee and Technology Assessment Committee. From 1996–1997 Dr. Litwin was President of the Canadian Chapter of the International College of Surgeons. In addition to his full-time clinical responsibilities, Dr. Litwin has served on several UMass Memorial Committees including the Physician Advisory Board, Chairs Council, Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Benefits Committee, Finance Committee, and was Chair of the Operating Room Executive Committee.

In the early 1990's Dr. Litwin became one of the pioneers of laparoscopic general surgery techniques, such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy. By the mid–1990's he attained national and international recognition as a leader and expert in advanced minimally invasive surgery techniques. He is widely published in this area, with over 40 journal articles, 13 book chapters, and nearly 200 scientific presentations to his credit.

Eduardo Martinez, MD, MBA — Born in Ecuador, Dr. Martinez attended middle school and junior high school with the Brothers of La Salle. He came to the United States in the mid sixties and started high school at Miami Sr. High in Miami, Florida. He attended medical school at the Catholic University Madre Y Maestra in Santiago. He returned to the United States to specialize in the field of internal medicine and later on in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Mount Carmel Hospital in Detroit, Michigan and University of Missouri Hospital and Clinic in Columbia, Missouri. He obtained board certifications in internal, pulmonary, and critical care medicine. He has always have been concerned and involved in the business aspects of health care delivery and organization. He actively participates in a number of committees at different local hospitals.

Robert B. Morrow, MD, MBA — Dr. Morrow is currently the Chief Medical Officer at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas. His responsibilities include care management, clinical quality improvement, patient safety, and helping to ensure the effective functioning of the medical staff. He has served in this capacity since 1998. Prior to assuming his current role, Dr. Morrow spent eight years in full time private practice in family medicine. He is a graduate of the Memorial Hermann Southwest Family Practice training program and the University of Texas Medical School at Houston; he completed his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University. Dr. Morrow is very active in organized medicine and serves in the House of Delegates of both the Texas Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He is also a member of the American College of Physician Executives and the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians.

Harold Naramore, MD, MBA — Dr. Naramore graduated from East Tennessee State College of Medicine in 1987 and entered a residency in psychiatry. His training program was closely tied to Watauga Mental Health, the local community mental health center, which included a variety of outpatient sites and a freestanding psychiatric hospital. Shortly after graduation he accepted a position with Watauga Mental Health as Medical Director of crisis services. Watauga Mental Health merged with other area mental health centers in 1997. He is currently medical director of a seventy-five-bed psychiatric hospital and President of the Medical Staff of Frontier Health. He chairs various corporate committees including Performance Improvement and Peer Review. He has been honored with various awards including Health Care Heroes 2000, Tri-City Business Journal 40 under Forty 1997, and East Tennessee State University College of Medicine Department of Psychiatry Outstanding Clinical teacher 1999–2000. He teaches health care law for the Physician Executive MBA program. Dr. Naramore begins a new job on August 17, 2009. He will be the Medical Director and Associate Administrator for Blount Memorial Hospital. He describes the position as being akin to a CMO.

Anselmo A. Nunez, MD, MBA — Dr. Nunez graduated from the University of Miami School of Medicine in 1978. He trained in general surgery in Miami and vascular surgery in New York. He remained in an academic vascular surgery practice at the University of Miami serving as chief, vascular surgery division, and on the Board of Governors of the University of Miami Medical Group Practice. In 1997, he moved to the Marshfield Clinic, Wisconsin, where he served as Director of the General Surgery Residency Program before accepting the position of Medical Director of Central Division 1. From October 2002 to November 2004, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry Medical Group, a regional multi-specialty group practice in North-Central Wisconsin. In 2009, he was appointed Chief Executive for Providence Physician Services in Spokane, Washington.

James Pearce, MD, MBA — In 1983, Dr. Pearce finished his radiology residency and began a solo practice in a county hospital outside of Indianapolis, Indiana. Over the next fifteen years he managed the hospital's radiology department as well as that of another county hospital. He co-founded Multispecialty Medical Group with a private office and billing company. He merged the practice into a thirty-man radiology group in Indianapolis so he could get back to the joy of practicing and teaching radiology. In no time he found himself an officer of the corporation and is now managing practices in seven hospitals and multiple clinics.

Luis Rios-Nogales, MD, MBA — Dr. Nogales was born and raised in Lima, Peru. After graduating from the German School in Lima, he enrolled in the pre-med program at the College of the Bavarian Universities in Munich, Germany. He graduated from the Ludwig-Maximilians University School of Medicine in Munich and passed the Federal Medical Boards in 1982. His basic research training was in cardiovascular physiology and after four years at the Institutes for Surgical Research in Munich and Heildelbeg he received his doctoral degree in 1984. He also trained as a neurological surgeon at the University Hospital in Munich and Tuebingen. In 1989 he joined Hoechst AG, first as a medical advisor in global medical affairs and then he advanced to jobs of increasing responsibility in global marketing, new products development, and regional and country management. He is presently with GlaxoSmithKline and serves as its Vice President for Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, Latin America. He has volunteered for over 15 years as a flight surgeon and has performed over 800 rescue missions with the German Air Rescue and Lufthansa.

Ray Rodriguez, MD, MBA — Dr. Rodriguez received his medical training from the Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico. He is the founder of an allergy-immunology practice in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He served in the U.S. Army as a physician and completed many foreign and domestic tours of duty. He is board-certified in pediatrics, allergy-immunology, and clinical laboratory immunology. After establishing his practice and completing a master of public health degree program, Dr. Rodriguez found he "did not have the necessary tools to accomplish his full potential" and that he needed an MBA "to broaden his business knowledge." At the present, Dr. Rodriguez is attending law school to complement his knowledge in public health and business for a future position in health administration and teaching.

Anil Sharma, MD, MBA — Dr. Sharma is a native of India. His interest in medicine began at an early age when he was very impressed by his family physician who had great clinical skills and he was amazed how he could take care of his patients' pain and suffering. Dr. Sharma attended medical school in India. After completing school, he came to the United States to conduct research. He worked as a research assistant at the University of Iowa School of Medicine. He completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Sharma is the Associate Director of the Pharmacogenomic and Pharmacogenetics Research Group at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in Los Angeles, California. He is also a staff psychiatrist at the Palo Alto VA Health Care System.

Keith Steward, MD, MBA — Dr. Steward is the Franchise Director, Medical Neurosciences at Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals. Previously he served as Senior Director for Global Clinical Sciences at Pharmacia Corporation. Previously, he was Director of Regional Healthcare Services. He attended medical school at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia. Dr. Steward oversees an organization whose responsibilities are heavily focused on managed care decisions, physician practices, and the overall process of bringing new drugs to market. Dr. Steward "believes that becoming more knowledgeable and well-rounded from a business perspective would not only create a diversity of professional opportunities for him, but also help to establish a foundation for future success."

Sophie J. Womack, MD, MBA — Dr. Womack was President of the Medical Staff at Detroit Medical Center. She was also Chief of Neonatology at Sinai-Grace Hospital, a member of the Detroit Medical Center. Dr. Womack was a member of the Detroit Medical Center's Board of Trustees. She was board-certified in pediatrics and neonatology. She was also an assistant professor at Wayne State University in pediatrics. A graduate of Howard University and Meharry Medical College, she trained in pediatrics and neonatology. She was active in infant and child health issues for several years and served as the Chairman of the Michigan Board of SIDS Alliance and was active in promoting the "Back to Sleep" campaign in Michigan, particularly in the urban community. Along with her husband, they formed The Coalition Inc.–Circle of Hope, an organization that promotes childhood health and well-being. The organization has donated over $250,000 to support home health care for indigent children and supports small groups that support infant and childhood well-being. She was the Chairperson of the Wayne County Medical Society's Violence Reduction Committee and received the Image Award in Medicine from the Women's Justice Center in 1988. She also received Ameritech and Channel 56 "Living the Dream" Award for community service in 2000. In 2001 she received the "Spirit Award" from the Wayne County Council Against Family Violence. She passed away suddenly.

Ibrahim Zabani, MD, MBA — Dr. Zabani graduated from King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He joined King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh for one year after which he joined the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, where he obtained his Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in anesthesiology. After that, he finished his fellowship in cardiac anesthesiology and then joined KFSH&RC as a consultant cardiac anesthesiologist. Examples of his achievements include the establishment of the department of anesthesiology and section of cardiac anesthesiology in the newly established KFSH&RC in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He is currently deputy chairman of anesthesiology. He is also the director of the operating rooms as well as the Chairman of Morbidity and Mortality Committee in the hospital.

 

 

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