7:00 – 8:30 AM
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact throughout the world both clinically and economically. Certain demographic groups were hit harder than anyone else. This program explores the nature of pandemics, why social determinants matter, and what we can do as healthcare leaders to address these ongoing challenges.
Jon Burroughs, MD, MBA, FACHE, FAAPL is President and CEO of The Burroughs Healthcare Consulting Network, Inc. and works with the nation’s top healthcare organizations to provide ‘best practice’ solutions and training in the areas of governance, physician–hospital alignment strategies, credentialing, privileging, peer review and performance improvement/patient safety, strategic planning, physician performance and behavior management, as well as ways in which physicians and management can work together in new ways to solve quality, safety, operational, and financial challenges through the creation of population health programs and clinically integrated networks. He currently serves on the COVID-19 Policy Task Force of the Griffin Prevention Research Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT.
Dr. Burroughs serves on the national faculty of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Association for Physician Leadership, where he has been consistently rated as one of their top speakers and educators. In 2014, he and Dr. David Nash were awarded a development grant by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) to develop a twelve-hour national program to address population health and the disruptive innovative business models necessary to support it. He developed a two-day advanced physician leadership program for AAPL which was introduced at the Fall Institute in Arizona in November, 2016. In 2016, he, John Byrnes, MD, and Richard Priore ScD, FACHE were awarded a national development grant by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) to develop a twelve-hour national program to address C suite collaboration with physicians and the link between quality, safety, and service outcomes with financial performance. In 2017, he and Rich Priore ScD, FACHE introduced a new national program for ACHE entitled “Integrating Quality and Cost in a Pay for Value World” that was introduced in Orlando, Florida in December, 2017. In 2018, he and Rick Priore ScD, FACHE introduced a new three-day national program entitled the CMO Academy for the American Association for Physician Leadership in July, 2018. In December, 2019, he introduced a new 12-hour national program for ACHE entitled “Optimizing Ambulatory Management for the 21st Century.”
8:30 – 10:00 AM
Diversity and Inclusion has become an increasingly important strategic initiative for the Healthcare Industry and will play a major role in the success of organizations moving forward. In this discussion we will explore how and why a diverse and inclusive workforce is more likely to succeed and meet our customer’s needs.
Monét Shannon, MHA, SHRM-CP, CIR
Monét Shannon has over 14 years of staffing and human resources experience and currently serves as the Human Resources Director at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital. In this role, she serves as the chief strategist for employee engagement, recruitment, and leadership development. She also leads the screening station team launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. She received her Master’s degree in Health Care Administration from Texas Woman’s University and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Texas Southern University. Monét is a Certified Internet Recruiter and certified professional by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). She also serves as the Professional Development Committee Chair for the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE).
Monét is a native Houstonian who has a passion for health care, technology, and art. She leads by example and believes in putting family first. She is the daughter of a nurse and was a frequent visitor of the hospital with her late father. She was introduced to healthcare recruitment at an agency which ultimately led her to human resources in the hospital setting. She started her healthcare career as an Administrative Assistant, and has been rapidly promoted with each of her employers through proven skills and leadership. Her personal and professional experiences have groomed her into a well-rounded leader that is passionate about leading people-focused human resources initiatives through technology, organizational development, data analytics, project management, and process improvements.
Arianne Dowdell is the Vice President Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for Houston Methodist Hospital. Arianne joined the Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation in July of 2019 and was appointed to her current role in September 2020. Ms. Dowdell is responsible for leading the vision for unparalleled safety, quality service and innovation through diversity, equity and inclusion by stewarding system-wide DEI strategy implementation and development through key partnerships.
Prior to coming to Houston Methodist, Ms. Dowdell worked in higher education where she was the Senior Director of Operations and Partnerships at Syracuse University. She also held leadership positions at Virginia Commonwealth University, in Richmond, Virginia and The Rockefeller University, in New York. She also served as the Communications Director and then President of the National Association of Black Automotive Suppliers. A passion for journalism, Arianne began her career in television where she worked at Court TV and Madison Square Garden Network.
A former attorney, Ms. Dowdell previously practiced as a labor and employment lawyer in Detroit, Michigan. She holds a JD from Wayne State University, an MA from Syracuse University and a BA from Hampton University. Arianne currently resides in Fulshear, Texas with her three teenage children.
Shannon Bradley, MBA, CDP, LSSGB
Division Executive Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
HCA Houston Healthcare
Shannon Bradley serves as HCA Houston Healthcare’s Division Executive Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In this role Shannon is responsible for the development and implementation of HCA Houston Healthcare’s DEI initiatives focused on its colleagues, health equity, supplier diversity, board representation, and community engagement in order to support the various backgrounds, cultures, and experiences that are reflected in HCA Houston Healthcare’s workforce, patients, and the communities that it serves. Shannon provides strategic oversight of the Division’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, Colleague Networks and she is also the chair of the Division’s Black Colleague Network in addition to serving in an advisory role across the division and enterprise. She is most excited about the lasting impact that our collective efforts can have on our communities as we all renew and or enhance our focus on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Shannon has been a member of the HCA Houston Healthcare family for 4 years and during that time she has also been responsible for HCA Houston Healthcare’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payments (DSRIP) program with oversight and responsibility for the achievement of healthcare quality outcomes goals and incentive payments across 7 hospitals in areas ranging from maternal health and diabetes management to ED utilization and hospital safety for the Medicaid, low-income, and uninsured population that HCA serves. Shannon is a Certified Diversity Professional and health equity advocate. In 2021, she was awarded the Houston Business Journal’s Outstanding Diversity Champion award and HCA Houston Healthcare was awarded the Outstanding Diverse Organization Award in the large company category.
Shannon serves as a board member of the Texas Diversity Council, a member of the TMC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives (NALHE), National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA and is a former member of Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals (HAULYP).
Shannon is originally from the Austin, Texas area and holds a B.S. degree in Business Management from Emporia State University and an MBA with a specialization in Healthcare Administration from Baylor University. Shannon and her husband Dwight have been married for 2 years and they are the proud parents of a 17 year old daughter named Jada and a 20 year old son named Nicholas. In her free time she serves as a mentor for NAHSE, Texas Southern University, and Alief ISD and she has volunteered with organizations including the Girl Scouts, Houston Food Bank, HAULYP, Kids Lives Matter, and adult literacy programs.
Deborah C. Gordon
Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Office and Chief Legal Officer
Memorial Hermann Health System
Ms. Gordon is Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Legal Officer for Memorial Hermann Health System. She is responsible for the legal department, compliance, internal audit, risk, human resources, government affairs, real estate, communications, public relations, leadership development, community benefits, information security, and privacy. Memorial Hermann is one of the largest integrated health care delivery systems in Texas, with more than $5 billion in annual revenue and approximately 30,000 employees. Memorial Hermann has 15 hospitals, over 200 ambulatory sites, a clinically integrated network of physicians, an accountable care organization, a provider-sponsored health plan, and an academic affiliation with the University of Texas Health Science Center – Houston.
Ms. Gordon has over twenty-five years of experience practicing law concentrating in the health care industry, with a focus on health care regulatory compliance and transactions. Prior to joining Memorial Hermann, Ms. Gordon was Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, based in Chicago, Illinois. She was the Vice-Chair of the firm’s Corporate Department and the Co-Chair of the firm’s Health Law Group. Prior to joining Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Ms. Gordon was a Partner and Associate at DLA Piper, based in Chicago, Illinois.
Ms. Gordon holds a Masters in Business Administration from University of Chicago Graduate School of Business in Chicago, Illinois and a Juris Doctorate from University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign, Illinois. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy from University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois.
10:00 – 11:30 AM
Even as the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out is accelerating across the country, the public health and economic effects of the pandemic continue to affect the well-being of many Americans. Research shows that health outcomes are driven by an array of factors, including underlying genetics, health behaviors, social and environmental factors, and financial distress. We will explore how these factors have contributed to the impact of COVID in different socioeconomic groups.
Chris Myhaver, MHA, FACHE was appointed as the Associate Director/Chief Operating Officer of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in August 2019. As Associate Director/Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Myhaver is a member of the facility’s senior executive team and provides critical oversight and management of administrative hospital operations, including: HAS, Logistics, Nutrition and Food Service, Pharmacy, Privacy Office, Prosthetics, VCS, OI&T, and Purchasing and Contracting. Prior to taking on this role, Mr. Myhaver was the Deputy Executive Director of Business Operations and Administration in the VHA Office of Care in the Community. In this role, he was responsible for providing oversight for the administrative and support services for the Office of Community Care. This includes the oversight of Policy and Planning, Equal Employment Opportunity, Communications, Congressional Correspondence, and the financial management and execution of an approximately $14B annual Community Care budget.
Mr. Myhaver joined the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2004 as a PRIME Resident at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. In 2005, he became an Administrative Resident at the VA North Texas Health Care System as a part of the Graduate Health Administrative Trainee Program. Mr. Myhaver later served in leadership roles at the VA North Texas Healthcare System, Grand Junction VAMC, Overton Brooks VAMC, and El Paso VA Health Care System. At the VACO level, Mr. Myhaver worked as the Director of OCC’s Claims Adjudication and Reimbursement (CAR) office. In this role, he was responsible for administering VA healthcare benefits for Veterans and family members for CHAMPVA, Spina Bifida Healthcare, Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Program, Caregiver Support Program, Foreign Medical Program, VA Community Care (VACC) and Camp Lejeune Family Member Program. CAR is comprised of approximately 2,200 employees.
Mr. Myhaver received a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio and a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from Texas A&M University in College Station. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Jennifer Small, AuD, MBA, CCC-A
Senior Vice President, Ambulatory Care Services
Harris Health System
Dr. Small serves as the Senior Vice President of Ambulatory Care Services at Harris Health System where she has overseen the operations of the primary and multi-specialty clinics, which includes school-based clinics, homeless shelter-based clinics, dental services, rehabilitation services, and ancillary services to support the clinical team, with over 2 million outpatient visits annually. Prior to that, she served as the administrative director of both primary care and specialty services within Ambulatory Care Services. She also served as director of one of Harris Health’s community health centers, which provided a myriad of services ranging from primary care to specialty care. Dr. Small began her career as an audiologist in academic medical centers that primarily serve the underserved, including Harris Health System’s Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital and UTMB-Galveston, within the outpatient and inpatient settings. After serving as a clinician for several years, she transitioned to healthcare administration within ambulatory care services, with a focus on initiatives to improve efficiencies and access to care for vulnerable patient populations. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors and Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Florida-Gainesville with a Doctor of Audiology, and the University of Houston Bauer College of Business with a Masters in Business Administration.
Melva Mitchell, MSN, RN-AMB-BC
Director of Nursing- Ambulatory Care Services
Harris Health System
Ms. Mitchell serves as a Director of Nursing Ambulatory Care Services at Harris Health System where she has oversite for 8 primary health clinics, which sees over 2 million outpatient visits annually. Ms. Mitchell started her career at Harris Health System as an LVN at Settegast health center. She graduated from Texas Tech University with her Bachelors in nursing, she moved into the role of a clinical resource nurse, while finishing her studies at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she received her Master’s degree in administration. She transitioned to the role of a nurse manager. Where she focused on patient, nursing and provider satisfaction as well as engagement. Another major focus was patient HEDIS measures. Here lately as the Director of nursing, one of her roles now is working with the COVID vaccines for internal and external use to ensure not only Harris Health System patients are vaccinated but people in the community as well.
Christy Chukwu, MHA, LSSGB
Christy Chukwu, MHA is a Senior Operations Manager who currently works at Harris Health System, in the Ambulatory Care Services in the House Call Services Department. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a concentration in Community Health from Stephen F. Austin State University, a Master’s in Health Administration from Texas A&M University Health Science Center (SRPH). Having developed a passion for community service and healthcare, she decided to work for the county hospital system to aid in the operational support of the patients in need located in the Harris County area. With over ten years of experience in healthcare management that fall into operations and project management, she strives to engage the staff around her as well as the patients she encounters at various clinics and in the home.
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on our lives. Many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful, overwhelming. Public health actions, such as social distancing, are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but they can make us feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. We will discuss what resources are available and what we have learned in regards to the importance of Mental Health and self care.
Elizabeth Delledera began her career as a nurse in pediatrics and critical care. Beth obtained her MBA and MHA from the University of Houston Clear Lake followed by a Fellowship in Healthcare Administration at the University of Virginia Medical Center. Upon completion of her fellowship in 2007, Beth held leadership positions in nursing, hospital operations, and strategy at the University of Virginia Medical Center and at Dell Children’s Medical Center. In 2012, Beth joined St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital as the Director of the Neuroscience service line. Subsequent to St. Luke’s transition to Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, leadership of Critical Care and Medicine services lines was added to her role. In 2020, Beth started her own consulting company and began working with Luminare, Inc as Sr. Director- Solutions Management in January 2021. Beth has been on the board of the Virginia Nurses Association, a commissioner with The Houston Commission on Disabilities, a strategic advisor for TMC Innovation; and, most importantly, she is the mother of 8 year-old twins that keep her running!
Angela N. Frazier, MPH is a speaker, Founder of Sisters in Public Health, mental health influencer and author of A Kids Book About™ Suicide. Angela received her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Communication from Portland State University. She also holds a Masters of Public Health in Community Health from UTHealth School of Public Health. She was honored to represent her graduating class as the 2018 Student Commencement Speaker. Since the loss of her mother to suicide in 2016 she has dedicated her time and efforts to sharing her story by bringing tough topics to the forefront of conversation. This began with the opening of a shelter for survivors of domestic violence in honor of her mother. The Tami Best Emergency Shelter was created for survivors of domestic violence fleeing abusive situations. In 2017, Angela founded a nonprofit, Sisters in Public Health to connect all women in public health. She currently serves on two boards: Ashley Jadine Foundation working to prevent suicide among teens and Bradley Angle working to create communities free of domestic violence.
Emiliano Herrera is a bilingual, Spanish and English, Licensed Clinical Social Work Supervisor and works as a Behavioral Health Therapist and the Behavioral Services Program Manager at Spring Branch Community Health Center. He dedicates his work to improving the mental wellness of children and adults in a community based setting through collaborative multidisciplinary care. He has been in social work for over 15 years and is committed to the well-being of individuals, families and the community. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Catholic Studies from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas and a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Houston. Emiliano and his wife reside in Houston, Texas raising their four active children. He enjoys volunteering and is an active part of his children’s Scouting experiences.
ACHE Members: $30
Student Rate: $20
ACHE Members: $40
Student Rate: $30
