WASHINGTON — Forty-four rising leaders from 24 essential hospitals will explore best practices in leadership, health innovation, policymaking, and other issues as the newest class of America’s Essential Hospitals Siegel Fellows Program. The association welcomed the new Fellows Program class at VITAL2026 in Minneapolis.
“The Siegel Fellows Program prepares the next generation of essential hospital leaders to lead with purpose, advocate effectively for their patients and communities, and build a trusted peer network that supports them throughout their careers,” said Kalpana Ramiah, DrPH, MBA, MSc, vice president of innovation and director of Essential Hospitals Institute, the association’s research, education, and leadership development arm.
The program has produced more than 750 alumni, including CEOs, other hospital executives, and national health care thought leaders. America’s Essential Hospitals welcomes these essential hospital leaders to its 2026–2027 Siegel fellows class:
Broadlawns Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa
- Erin Feilmeier, MPH, RN, Assistant Vice President, Ambulatory Operations
- Daniel Tallon, Assistant Vice President, Human Resources
Cook County Health, Chicago
- Claudia Burchinal, Executive Director, Ambulatory Services
- Nicholas Shields, Chief External Affairs and Civic Engagement Officer
- Adam Weber, MHA, Executive Director of Operations
Emory University Hospital Midtown, Atlanta
- Nicholas Iannitti, MHA, Vice President of Operations
Harris Health, Houston
- Esperanza (Hope) Galvan, PhD, RN, Vice President, Population Health Transformation
Health Care District of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach, Fla.
- Joshua Adametz, DDS, MA, MPH, Associate Vice President and Executive Director.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Central Office, New York
- Marie Jean, MSN, Assistant Vice President of Clinical Reimbursement for Post-Acute Service Line
- Michaela Mallow, MPH, Senior Project Manager
- Robert Shutter, LMSW, Director of Utilization Management
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, New York
- Sara Rostanski, MD, Stroke Director and Associate Chief of Neurology
NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, Bronx, N.Y.
- Reggie Richardson, MBA, Director of Finance
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, Bronx, N.Y.
- Cindyann Gaskin-Best, RN, Director of Nursing
- Silvanus Michel, MSM-NL, BSN, CCRN, Director of Nursing
- Vikas Shah, MD, Director, Pediatric Intensive Care
- Fabiola Tony, MPH, MSN, Associate Director of Nursing
NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Tamer Badr, MHA, Director of Capacity Management and Throughput
- Michelle Carson, MBA, Senior Project Manager
- Terrence Gomes, MHA. Director of Patient Accounts
- Emerson Lazellari, MPA, Assistant Director of Fiscal Affairs
NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Lisa Brabham, MD, Director of Gynecology
Onvida Health, Yuma, Ariz.
- Lucia Austin Silvernale, JD, MS, RN, Vice President, Quality and Patient Safety
Parkland Health, Dallas
- Kareem Abdelfattah, MD, Associate Chief Medical Officer
- Ryan Alcantar, MBA-HM, Vice President
Regional One Health, Memphis, Tenn.
- Matthew Currie, PharmD, MBA, Director of Pharmacy
The MetroHealth System, Cleveland
- Doug Bruce, MD, Chief Operating Officer
- Candace Mori, PhD, MSN, RN-BC, Chief Nursing and Patient Care Services Officer
Thomas Memorial Hospital, Charleston, W.Va.
- Patrick Dunn, PharmD, Assistant Vice President of Operations
UK St. Claire, Morehead, Ky.
- Courtney Gee Hollingsworth, MSN, Administrative Director, Nursing
- Mark Rhodes, MBA-HM, Vice President, UKSC Medical Group
- Gray Tomblyn II, MA, Director of Materials Management
University Health KC, Kansas City, Mo.
- Angelique Cason, MBA, Vice President Strategy Planning and Business Analytics
- Todd Clayman, RN, Chief Perioperative Officer
- Laura Peckham, MBA, MHA, RN, Chief Operating Officer, University Health Lakewood Medical Center
- Jennifer Swilley, Senior Director, Corporate Supply Chain
University Health System, San Antonio
- Stacey Denver, DNP, Vice President of Ambulatory Services
- Mercedes Ingram, PhD, LPC, Senior Director, Mental Wellness Initiatives
- Amit Mehta, PT, DPT, MBA, Executive Director
University Medical Center of El Paso, El Paso, Texas
- Frantz Berthaud, MPH, Senior Vice President, Oncology Services
Valleywise Health, Phoenix
- Paul Dereadt, MSA, Vice President, Supply Chain Operations
West Virginia University Health System, Morgantown, W.Va.
- Jessica Huffman, DNP, RN, CENP, Vice President, System Nursing Strategies
Wheeling Hospital, Wheeling, W.Va.
- David Phillips, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
WVU Medicine Children’s, Morgantown, W.Va.
- Christopher Mascio, MD, Executive Chair, WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Institute
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About America’s Essential Hospitals
America’s Essential Hospitals is the leading association and champion for hospitals dedicated to high-quality care for all, including those who face social and financial barriers to care. Since 1981, America’s Essential Hospitals has advanced policies and programs that promote health and access to health care. We support our more than 400 members with advocacy, policy development, research, education, and leadership development. Communities depend on essential hospitals for care across the continuum, health care workforce training, research, public health, and other services. Supported by Essential Hospitals Institute, the association’s research and education arm, essential hospitals innovate and adapt to lead all of health care toward better outcomes and value. Learn more at essentialhospitals.org.
About Essential Hospitals Institute
Essential Hospitals Institute leads research, education, dissemination, and leadership development for America’s Essential Hospitals. To advance the quality, equity, safety, and affordability of care at essential hospitals, the Institute identifies promising practices in the field, provides professional development training, promotes practice improvements, and disseminates innovative approaches to care. It does this with an eye toward improving individual and population health, especially for underrepresented and marginalized people and communities.
Contact:
James Swann
Director of Communications
jswann@essentialhospitals.org
202.585.0102
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