Fall Conference Speakers and Handouts

Dr. Gary Chapman
Author, Speaker, and Counselor
The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace
Thursday, September 14th  | 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Chapman is a well-known marriage counselor and director of marriage seminars. The 5 Love Languages® is one of Chapman’s most popular titles, topping various bestseller charts for years, selling over thirteen million copies and has been on the New York Times best-sellers list since 2007. Chapman has been directly involved in real-life family counseling since the beginning of his ministry years, and his nationally-syndicated radio programs air nationally on Moody Radio Network and over 400 affiliate stations

Tracey Cumberland
Project Director, Curi Advisory
Risk and Reward: Protecting your Practice from the Risks of Today and Tomorrow
Friday, September 15th  | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Tracey Cumberland is Project Director on Curi Advisory’s Practice Consulting team. Tracey and her team are focused on offering data-driven consulting services that help practice leaders protect, optimize, and grow their businesses. Prior to Curi, Tracey served as the Area Practice Manager for HCA Healthcare’s three Northern Virginia hospitals and as Director of Operations for OrthoVirginia’s Northern Virginia locations. At both, she was responsible for the oversight, leadership, and general management of the physician offices’ administrative and clinical functions, including HR management. Earlier in her career, Tracey was the Director of Access at Inova Health Systems, Fairfax Hospital. Tracey received her BS in Health Administration from George Mason University.

Steve DeBiasi
Chief Executive Officer, Curi Advisory
Risk and Reward: Protecting your Practice from the Risks of Today and Tomorrow
Friday, September 15th  | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Steve DeBiasi is the Chief Executive Officer of Curi Advisory. He joined the firm in 2022. Before Curi, Steve served as co-Chief Executive Officer of EmergeOrtho, one of the nation’s largest physician-owned orthopedic practices, and as CEO of EmergeOrtho’s Triad and Wilmington regions. Steve is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and is a Certified Medical Practice Executive in the American College of Medical Practice Executives. Steve is active in his community, serving on and leading boards and committees of several organizations. He earned a BS in Marketing and Communication from Babson College and a Master of Health Administration from the Medical College of Virginia.

Steve Hendrick
Partner, Curi Advisory
Risk and Reward: Protecting your Practice from the Risks of Today and Tomorrow
Friday, September 15th  | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Steve Hendrick is Partner at Curi Advisory. Prior to Curi, Steve founded Arrowlytics in 2014 to commercialize the practice analytics platform that he co-created while serving as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer of OrthoCarolina from 2005-2014. An original investor in Arrowlytics, Curi acquired the Arrowlytics platform and consulting team in 2021 as part of launching Curi Advisory. Steve has 30+ years of healthcare experience in a variety of executive, operational, and information systems roles with large physician groups / healthcare delivery systems, IT vendors, and investor-backed entrepreneurial organizations. Steve received his Computer Engineering degree from Forsyth College.

Cayden Jacobsen
Biology Student at UNC Charlotte | Prosper Beyond Intern
The AI Advantage: Reshaping Healthcare Practices for a New Era (Handout 1) (Handout 2)
Friday, September 15th  | 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
As a Biology student at UNC Charlotte, Cayden Jacobsen has developed a strong passion for the life sciences industry at large. He significantly developed his analytical skills for complex problem-solving and gained hands-on experience with cutting-edge Biological technology. Throughout his collegiate career, he served in various leadership positions which have contributed to the development of his leadership, communication, and management skills. Having practical experience with AI applications, and AI is something he is incredibly passionate about.

Donna Nicholson, MBA, BSN, RN, CPCO
Managing Director of Risk Solutions, Curi Advisory
Risk and Reward: Protecting your Practice from the Risks of Today and Tomorrow
Friday, September 15th  | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Donna Nicholson is the Managing Director of Risk Solutions at Curi Advisory. In her role, she leads a team dedicated to helping medical practices limit their clinical, regulatory, and financial risk. Prior to joining Curi in 2017, Donna held leadership roles with large independent physician practices and management services organizations. Donna is the past President of the NCMGMA’s Charlotte chapter. She is also a contributing author for two published healthcare-related books, and regularly volunteers for the American Red Cross, Alzheimer’s Association, and Duke Children’s Hospital. A Registered Nurse and Certified Professional Compliance Officer, Donna earned a BS in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and an MBA from Pfeifer University.

Richa Puranik
Health Policy and Management Student | Prosper Beyond Intern (Handout 1) (Handout 2)
The AI Advantage: Reshaping Healthcare Practices for a New Era
Friday, September 15th  | 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Richa Puranik has a profound interest in healthcare systems and am pursuing a major in Pubic Health, specifically Health Policy and Management. Through her work and volunteer experience she has expanded her knowledge of healthcare administration and consulting. She's also pursuing a minor in Business Administration and Spanish for the Business Professions. She especially enjoy learning more about the world around her as well as deepening my understanding of other cultures through her coursework and experiences. Upon graduating UNC Chapel Hill she hopes to return to school in the future to obtain her Master's in Health Care Administration or potentially a dual master's degree via the MHA/MBA track.

Joe Quitoni
CEO, Unify|Align
Re-Imagining Strategy: Establishing a Foundation for Excellence in Healthcare (Handouts)
Thursday September 14 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 
Re-Imagining Strategy: Turning Patient Interactions into Elevated Experiences (Handouts)
Thursday September 14 | 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM 
Meet Joe Quitoni, the Founder and CEO of Unify|Align who’s shaking up the industry with a unique blend of creative and structural talents. Throughout his career, Joe has honed his skills in organizational transformation, creating game-changing competitive advantages for some of the world's biggest brands. But Joe isn't your typical corporate suit. He brings a modern twist to the world of consulting. Armed with a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Joe applies an innovative methodology to his work, delivering successful outcomes for a diverse portfolio of clients, from startups to Fortune 500 giants.

Paige Roberts
Health Care Management Student | Prosper Beyond Intern (Handout 1) (Handout 2)
The AI Advantage: Reshaping Healthcare Practices for a New Era
Friday, September 15th  | 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Paige Roberts is currently a Senior Health Care Management major at Appalachian State University. She is passionate about the healthcare industry, specifically by making a positive impact on others through an administrative position. She is also expected to  graduate in December of 2023.

Michelle Wallace, FACMPE 
Practice Administrator at Gastroenterology Associates
ACMPE Certification and Fellowship: Make This the Year! (Handouts)
Friday, September 15th | 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Michelle Wallace, FACMPE is the Practice Administrator at Gastroenterology Associates of the Piedmont in Winston-Salem, NC.  She has been managing independent primary care and specialty group practices for more than 3 decades. She was honored to be named the NCMGMA Administrator of the Year in 2016. She earned her CMPE in 2012 and became a Fellow in 2018.  In 2017, she became the ACMPE Liaison for North Carolina. As the NC Liaison, Michelle mentors and supports members who are on their way to becoming board certified through the American College of Medical Practice Executives and those seeking Fellowship. She was born and raised in NE Pennsylvania and moved to NC in 1987.

Dr. Elizabeth Woodcock 
CEO, Principal, Author, and Consultant, Woodcock & Associates
Post-Pandemic Stabilization:  Patient Collections in the Era of Consumerism
Wednesday, September 13th | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Patient Access: How to Erect a Successful 'Air Traffic Control Center' for your Practice (Handouts)
Thursday, September 14th  | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Dr. Elizabeth Woodcock is the founder and principal of Atlanta-based Woodcock & Associates. She has focused on medical practice operations and revenue cycle management for more than 25 years. She has led educational sessions for a multitude of national professional associations and specialty societies, and consulted for clients as diverse as a solo orthopedic surgeon in rural Georgia to the Mayo Clinic. She is author or co-author of 17 best-selling practice management books, to include Mastering Patient Flow and The Physician Billing Process: Avoiding Potholes in the Road to Getting Paid.