Speaker bios in alphabetical order
Jason Atlas
Jason Atlas, RPh, MBA, 340B ACE is the Vice President of 340B Enterprise Strategy & Solutions at global healthcare company AmerisourceBergen (AB). Mr. Atlas has more than 20 years of experience in pharmacy leadership and providing 340B guidance. In his current role at AB, Mr. Atlas serves as the company’s foremost expert on 340B policy, market dynamics and trends. Mr. Atlas and his team support AB’s customers as they navigate the complexities of the 340B space, and they assist with the development and refinement of 340B strategies and solutions for AB’s broad customer base.
Throughout his career, Mr. Atlas has held management roles in a chain retail pharmacy, with a national long-term care pharmacy provider, a national pharmacy staffing and recruiting company, a 340B health system, and has served as an educator for the 340B community. Prior to AB, Mr. Atlas served as the Manager of 340B Education and Compliance Support at Apexus, where he was responsible for developing and growing partnerships with 340B stakeholders, leading projects that required collaboration with the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) and served as an educator at 340B University and other national conferences including ASHP, 340B Health, and APhA.
Before Apexus, Mr. Atlas spent nearly five years with Denver Health serving as the Director of Outpatient and Ambulatory Pharmacy and other roles. During his time at Denver Health, Mr. Atlas was responsible for the planning and management of all regulatory and strategic outpatient pharmacy projects within the Denver Health & Hospital Authority, a safety net health system consisting of a 477-bed teaching hospital, eight family health centers, and twelve school-based health clinics, serving one-third of Denver’s population annually with 350,000 clinic visits and nearly one million outpatient prescriptions.
Mr. Atlas is a passionate pharmacy professional and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy from Rutgers University. Mr. Atlas received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business. Mr. Atlas currently is serving as an Advisory Council Member to the Colorado’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) representing wholesalers.
Jason will serve as the moderator for the ESP Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday.
Kim Barron
Kim Barron serves as the Vice President of Operations of Hudson Headwaters 340B, LLC. She has been a member of the Hudson Headwaters team since 2012 and has held many positions within the team including Director and Client Relations Manager. As Vice President of Operations, a few areas of focus include 340B contracting, implementation, wholesaler relations, and quality and compliance. Prior to joining Hudson Headwaters 340B, Kim served as a Social Services Specialist for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. She received her Bachelor in Business Administration and Management from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in 2008.
Kim will participate in the “Building Tomorrow’s 340B Leaders” panel on Wednesday.
Minela Beric
Minela Beric is the Network 340B Manager for the UVM Health Network. Minela is directly involved in various aspects of 340B Program oversight for all six of the organization’s hospitals. She has had the pleasure of working with many amazing Pharmacy and 340B resources across our Vermont and New York hospitals over the four years that she’s been with the team, as well as with numerous colleagues from other 340B organizations.
Minela has a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with a Premed concentration from the University of Vermont and recently received her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Champlain College. She finds that being able to positively contribute to patients’ lives and the community that she grew up in through my professional work in healthcare and specifically 340B extremely motivating.
Minela will participate in the “Client Experiences” panel on Wednesday, addressing portal enhancements.
Robert Ferraro
Robert Ferraro, PharmD, MBA, 340B-ACE has over 17 years of pharmacy experience, including 8 years as a specialty pharmacy and 340B program executive. Robert’s role includes overseeing clinical pharmacy programs and pharmacy business initiatives. He is passionate about data analytics and leveraging information to grow client revenues while maintaining clinical excellency. Robert earned his PharmD at The University of Rhode Island and his MBA at The University of Tennessee. He also is an accredited Six Sigma Green Belt in Healthcare Operations as well as a certified 340B ACE. Robert has had the pleasure of speaking at multiple 340B Coalition Conferences as well as The Advisory Board round table and Hudson Headwaters Client Forum. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his sons, coaching youth soccer, and practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Robert will serve as an expert in the TPA Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday.
Chris Hatwig
Chris Hatwig is President of Apexus, the organization responsible for managing the Human Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) 340B Prime Vendor Program (PVP). He works closely with HRSA’s Office of Pharmacy Affairs in Washington, DC, to educate all stakeholders and to improve the integrity and value of the 340B Drug Pricing Program for the nation’s safety-net providers. Participants in the program include more than 15,500 HRSA grantees and disproportionate share hospitals serving the nation’s low-income and uninsured populations. The PVP provides added value by collectively representing the 340B covered entities’ purchases to secure federal sub-ceiling discounts on pharmaceuticals and discounts on other outpatient pharmacy-related products and services.
Mr. Hatwig is consulted frequently about maximizing the benefits of the 340B Program. He routinely makes national and regional presentations related to the 340B Drug Pricing Program, innovative ambulatory pharmacy services, and drug cost containment strategies.
Before joining Apexus, Mr. Hatwig was the director of ambulatory pharmacy services and value analysis programs at Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas, where he practiced for 13 years, managing one of the nation’s largest and most progressive ambulatory pharmacy programs serving low-income and uninsured patients. He was responsible for managing Parkland’s network of ambulatory pharmacies, which processed more than two million prescriptions annually and operated with a drug expense budget of $65 million.
Mr. Hatwig received his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Arkansas. He completed residencies in hospital pharmacy and hospital pharmacy administration at the University of Wisconsin, culminating in a master’s degree in hospital pharmacy.
Chris will participate in the “Today/the current environment” panel and serve as an expert in the Roundtable Discussions on Tuesday.
Felicity Homsted
Felicity Homsted, PharmD, MBA, is a Chief Executive Officer at FQHC 340B Compliance. In this role, she works with health centers across the country to manage and improve their 340B and pharmacy programs. Dr. Homsted is also a Lead investigator for the National Institute on Drug Abuse- Clinical Trials Network Research Study CTN-0116: Pharmacist-Integrated Collaborative Model of Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (PharmICO).
From 2012 to 2018, Dr. Homsted was Chief Pharmacy Officer for Penobscot Community Health Center Inc. (PCHC), Maine’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center. She was responsible for the administration of four pharmacies, integrated pharmacy services, and PCHC’s accredited community pharmacy and health systems pharmacy administration (HSPA) residency programs. She has served as a subject matter expert for the Apexus 340B Prime Vendor Program and faculty member for Apexus 340B University.
Dr. Homsted received her Bachelor’s in Pharmacy from Dalhousie University, in 2006. In 2010, Felicity obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy from Idaho State University and her Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from New England College in 2018. Dr. Homsted’s specific professional interests are 340B Program advancement, the integrations of pharmacists in the primary care setting, and healthcare advocacy.
Felicity will be the Moderator of the TPA Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday and participate in the “Building Tomorrow’s 340B Leaders” panel on Wednesday.
Vacheria Keys
Vacheria Keys is the Director of Policy & Regulatory Affairs at the National Association of Community Health Centers in Washington, DC. In her current role, she oversees federal policy, state policy, and regulatory affairs. Vacheria advocates and develops health policies that improve access for underserved patients and reimbursement for health centers across the nation. For nearly three years, Vacheria leads NACHC’s 340B policy work, Medicaid and Medicare policy, COVID-19 related policies, and more. Previously, Vacheria worked as a Regulatory Affairs Specialist at the American Society of Anesthesiologists and a Reproductive Rights and Health Legal Fellow at the National Women’s Law Center. As a double HBCU grad, Vacheria takes great pride as a Spelman Alumna and graduate of Howard University’s School of Law.
Vacheria will participate in the “Today, the current environment” panel and serve as an expert in the Advocacy Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday.
Chris Lishko
Chris Lishko has been part of the Ponaman Healthcare Consulting team since 2012. Ponaman supports all 340B covered entity types with a range of services related to 340B and has partnered with covered entities (hospitals and grantees) in over 120 HRSA audits and re-audits. Chris has supported clients with close to 70 of those audits. With a broad background and extensive experience examining data, statistics, and documentation, Chris can operationalize the processes required for large-scale analyses necessary for 340B Program reviews for large safety-net hospital systems, FQHCs, Ryan White and STD grantees, and retail and contract pharmacies. Having worked with numerous clients across the country, Chris has experience with a large array of data systems and software platforms. His understanding of complex data systems and his ability to accept and utilize a multitude of different formats supports the successful collaboration with Ponaman clients. Chris’ diverse experience in project management, research, data management, finance, and global business, provide tremendous value to the Ponaman organization.
Chris is an Apexus Certified Expert (ACE). He graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s in communication, while also studying Spanish and Business Administration. Chris completed his MBA in Global Management in 2010. Prior to joining Ponaman, Chris worked as a senior business analyst and advisor for a Fortune 500 company.
Chris is a volleyball enthusiast and coaches club ball. In addition, he still manages to find time to travel, play soccer and play in tournaments for players who are “past their prime.”
Chris will serve as an expert in the TPA Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday.
Mark Malahosky
Mark J. Malahosky R. Ph. BPharm graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Pharmacy in 1985 with a BS in Pharmacy. He has worked in treatment of HIV/AIDS since 1989, when he managed a local home infusion program and was a recognized expert in the administration of high-tech HIV/AIDS treatment services and management. He joined the staff at Trillium Health, a Ryan White Part C grantee, in 2005 tasked with developing an on-site pharmacy and clinical pharmacy services. Mark is known for his expertise with the 340B Drug Pricing Program, using technology to ensure utilization and compliance. In 2009, Mark was appointed to the adjunct faculty member rank of Associate Professor at Wegman’s School of Pharmacy at St. John Fisher College and has also been a preceptor for pharmacy students from SUNY at Buffalo, D’Youville College, and Albany College of Pharmacy. Mark is a member of the American Pharmacists Association, National Community Pharmacists Association, The Pharmacists’ Society of the State of New York, and currently serves as Treasurer of Ryan White Clinics for 340B Access, and Secretary of 340B Grantees.
Mark will serve as an expert in the Advocacy Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday.
Colleen Meiman
Colleen Meiman is the National Policy Advisor for the 52 state and regional associations of Community Health Centers (CHCs), often called Primary Care Associations (PCAs.) Prior to starting this role in January 2021, she spent six years with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) as the Director of Regulatory Affairs and Senior Policy Advisor. Previously, she spent more than two decades in the federal government, including in the HHS Secretary’s Office, in the U.S. Senate, in CMS, and in numerous positions within HRSA. Her expertise is in the regulatory, administrative, and financing aspects of federal programs such as 340B, Medicaid, Medicare, Section 330, and the ACA, and how they impact CHCs and their medically underserved patients.
Colleen will serve as an expert in the Advocacy Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday and will participate in the “Building Tomorrow’s 340B Leaders” panel on Wednesday.
Lisa Nelson
Lisa Nelson is the Pharmacy Director at Unity Care Northwest in Bellingham, WA. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Washington State University in Pullman/Spokane, WA where she also earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology. After graduating, Dr Nelson moved to Bellingham, WA and began practicing community pharmacy before finding her calling in community health. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, fourteen-year-old son, and their dog enjoying all the scenery and activity the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Lisa will serve as an expert in the Advocacy Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday and participate in the “Building Tomorrow’s 340B Leaders” panel on Wednesday.
Jason Reddish
Jason Reddish is a partner at the Washington, D.C., law firm Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell. Jason focuses his practice on the federal 340B drug discount program and the complex legal and compliance issues facing safety net providers, pharmacies, and other 340B program stakeholders. Jason began his career representing pharmaceutical manufacturers before finding his passion helping 340B program covered entities, including disproportionate share hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Ryan White HIV/AIDS clinics, and other grantees navigate the 340B program.
In addition to providing guidance on 340B program issues, Jason helps safety net providers, pharmacies, and other stakeholders by negotiating and reviewing contracts relating to the provision of pharmacy and professional services. Jason has worked on dozens of 340B program contract pharmacy and pharmacy services agreements. Jason is an authority on 340B program contract pharmacies, including transactional, operational, and compliance concerns.
Jason will participate in the “Today/the current environment” panel and serve as an expert in the ESP Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday.
Lauren Reiss
Lauren Reiss is the chief Solutions Officer for Encora. Lauren started her career at a start-up healthcare technology company, Physician Dispensing Systems and once acquired by Allscripts was part of the team that later took that company public. Lauren is a C-level business process and product engineer. In the last 10 years, Lauren focused on leveraging her experience to drive the vision, direction, and strategy of new products and solutions in the healthcare industry, specifically 340B. Lauren spent many years in the field directly working with Covered Entities and Community Pharmacies to understand their unique program needs, build solutions and provide education and training around implementing a compliant 340B Program. Lauren’s experience includes supporting HRSA Audits, developing audit tools, designing, developing, and implementing 340B Administrative Solutions, 340B Gateway Solutions, and working directly with CE’s and Pharmacies.
Lauren’s entrepreneurial management style allows her ability to translate vision into successful revenue-generating processes and product solutions in a disciplined manner, ensuring innovation with less risk than the traditional models. She has led new and emerging companies to success through the delivery of many innovative new products and solutions for the pharmacy and health information technology space.
Lauren will serve as an expert in the ESP Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday.
Linda B. Riehlman
Linda B. Riehlman is the Administrative Assistant to the 340B Coordinator at Family Health Network (FHN). Linda has been with FHN since 1994, serving in many roles before joining the startup team of the 340B program in 2007. Linda’s primary 340B role is program auditing of 100% of the scripts written by FHN providers. A recent addition to 340B Program auditing, includes Referral Capture prescriptions for FHN patients, written by specialists. Linda’s robust auditing process was a key factor in FHN’s first HSRA audit success.
In her off time, Linda enjoys camping with her husband, dog, and cat, and attending grandchildren’s football, hockey, and lacrosse games.
Linda will participate in the “Client Experiences” panel on Wednesday, addressing referral capture.
Molly Slauenwhite
Molly Slauenwhite is the 340B Program Manager for Penobscot Community Health Care located in Bangor, ME. Molly was a seasoned Pharmacy Technician with hospital pharmacy experience when she started at PCHC in 2015. Over the last 8 years, she has grown and moved into an administrative role within Pharmacy Administration. A position opened in the 340B space, mainly responsible for compliance, and she decided to apply and was offered the job. Since 2020, Molly worked hard to optimize the program and was able to more than double the 340B savings realized from contract pharmacy arrangements, through referral capture. Molly worked closely with Jared Macey on the HHW Referral Tool and was a pilot program for referrals. She was able to give feedback about what was working and ways to make the referral capture process work more simply.
In Molly’s free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children ages 6, 12, and 14. Her hobbies include gardening, hiking, and watching her children compete in track and field, soccer, and cheerleading.
Molly will participate in the “Client Experiences” panel on Wednesday, addressing referral capture.
Ted Slafsky
Ted Slafsky is the Publisher & CEO of 340B Report, the only news and intelligence service exclusively covering the 340B program. Slafsky, who has over 25 years of leadership experience with the 340B program, is also Founder & Principal of the consulting firm Wexford Solutions. He served as President & CEO of 340B Health and held other senior positions at the organization during his 22-year tenure. He also played a key role in the development of the 340B Coalition, a large group of trade associations representing 340B providers. Ted graduated from Tufts University and has a Master of Public Policy from Duke University.
Ted will participate in the “Tomorrow/the future” armchair conversation and serve as an expert in the Roundtable Discussions on Tuesday.
Sue Veer
Sue Veer has served as the President and CEO for Carolina Health Centers, Inc. (CHC) since 2006. In addition to her senior leadership of the health center, Sue has developed and conducted organizational development and training programs for health care organizations for over 25 years and currently serves as the principal consultant for consulting services offered by CHC. A primary area of expertise is strategic planning and leadership development, and Sue has facilitated related organizational development projects for numerous health centers and PCAs during the nearly 20 years she has been part of the health center community.
Sue has also developed significant expertise related to health center 340B pharmacy programs. Over the last 3 years, she has presented 340B training programs for community health centers coordinated by the Primary Care Organizations in 22 states, participated as a lead contributor to the development of the NACHC 340B Compliance Manual, and provided consulting services to individual health centers. Sue has testified on behalf of community health centers at 340B hearings convened by both Senate and House committees.
Sue is an active member of the National Association for Community Health Centers, with long standing participation on the Legislative, Health Policy, and Rural Health committees and as Chair of the 340B Work Group. In 2019 Sue was elected to the NACHC Board of Directors and has been appointed by the Chair to serve on a recently convened Task Force on Racial Justice.
Sue will participate in the “Today/the current environment” panel on Tuesday.
Jangus B. Whitner
Jangus B. Whitner, PharmD, MHA, BCACP, 340B ACE, is the Director of Pharmacy Services for PrimaryOne Health, the oldest and largest community health center in central Ohio. He is the Founder and Past Chair of the Ohio 340B FQHC Consortium, a 340B Apexus Certified Expert, and has served as a subject matter expert for Apexus through webinars and virtual workshops. Jangus received his PharmD degree in 2016 from The University of Toledo and went on to complete two years of post-graduate pharmacy residency training. He became a Board-Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (BCACP) in 2020 and finished his Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree in 2021.
Jangus will serve as an expert in the Roundtable Discussions on Tuesday.
Laurie Wright
Laurie Wright spent 26 years in banking prior to arriving at Tri-County Family Medicine 2 1/2 years ago. For the past two years, Laurie has devoured everything 340B in order to make TCFM’s program as successful and compliant as possible. The challenge to stay abreast of the complex and ever-changing 340B drug pricing program is daunting, but at the same time so very rewarding.
Laurie will participate in the “Client Experiences” panel on Wednesday, addressing ESP.
Logan Yoho
Logan Yoho is the Director of Pharmacy at Hopewell Health Centers. He received his PharmD in 2010 from Ohio Northern University and obtained board certification in Ambulatory Care Pharmacy in 2016. Logan is also an Apexus Certified 340B Expert. Prior to joining the team at Hopewell, Logan practiced community pharmacy for over 7 years. He is Apexus 340B University Faculty. He is the Chair of the Ohio 340B FQHC Consortium and Logan is also the current President-Elect of the Ohio Pharmacists Association. Logan was a 2020 recipient of the OPA Under 40 Recognition Award for excellence and vision in the profession of pharmacy. When he’s not in the pharmacy world, Logan is doing fireworks as a licensed Pyrotechnician Assistant.
Logan will serve as moderator in the Advocacy Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday.