Year: 2024

Zach Gaumer is an accomplished policy analyst and project manager with nearly 20 years of health policy experience. He possesses a deep understanding of Medicare, healthcare payment systems, federal and state policymaking, healthcare datasets, research methods and policy reform efforts. Zach is a skilled researcher with a passion for answering complicated payment policy questions.

Prior to joining HMA, Zach was a principal policy analyst at the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). During his tenure at MedPAC, Zach was an expert advisor to U.S. Congressional committee staff on several Medicare payment systems and topics.

Zach is an expert on hospital payment policy, including Medicare’s inpatient and outpatient payment systems, non-Medicare hospital payment systems, and recent industry-wide developments. He also has a deep knowledge of industries such as ambulatory surgical centers, urgent care centers, emergency departments, telehealth, and ambulances. In addition to hospital payment systems, Zach has experience working with Medicare’s physician fee schedule and ambulance fee schedule. His expertise also includes hospital observation care, stand-alone emergency departments, special payments for new drugs and technologies, special payments for rural hospitals, electronic health records systems, quality measurement, bundled payment, global budgeting and value-based payment models. His work at MedPAC also exposed him to policy areas including post-acute care, Medicare Advantage, hospice, and end-stage renal disease.

Zach’s research and technical skills include policy impact estimation, payment policy modeling and forecasting, Medicare claims and cost report data analysis, private payer data analysis, regulatory and legislative analysis, and qualitative data gathering methods such as structured interviews and surveys. While at MedPAC, Zach also managed junior staff, published two articles in Health Affairs and presented at conferences on behalf of the organization.

Earlier in his career, Zach had positions at other entities analyzing federal and state health policy and health and pension benefits systems including the U.S. Government Accountability Office, where he conducted health policy research and produced reports related to the Medicare Advantage program, Accountable Care Organizations, Medicare’s end-stage renal disease program and specialty hospitals.

He also worked for the Massachusetts Health Management Organization Association, researching state legislative and regulatory insurance policy changes and Hewitt Associates (now AON Hewitt) consulting with Fortune 500 companies about their health and pension benefits programs.

Zach has a bachelor’s degree from Kenyon College and a Master of Policy Studies from Johns Hopkins University with concentrations in health policy and international affairs.

In his free time, Zach enjoys coaching his kids’ youth sports teams, spending time outside, and exploring new places.

James Pierson FACPE is President and Chief Operating Officer of Medic Ambulance of Vallejo, California. Jimmy serves on the board of the American Ambulance Association as well as the Academy of International Mobile Healthcare Integration. He is also past president of the California Ambulance Association. Jimmy has been the recipient of many awards, most notably the 2018 State of California Paramedic of the Year and a California Meritorious Service Medal in 2019.

Richard McKeon Ph.D., MPH received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Arizona, and a Master of Public Health in Health Administration from Columbia University. He has spent most of his career working in community mental health, including 11 years as director of a psychiatric emergency service and four years as Associate Administrator/Clinical Director of a hospital based community mental health center in Newton, New Jersey.  In 2001, he was awarded an American Psychological Association Congressional Fellowship and worked in the United States Senate for Sen. Paul Wellstone, covering health and mental health policy issues. He spent five years on the Board of the American Association of Suicidology as Clinical Division Director and has also served on the Board of the Division of Clinical Psychology of the American Psychological Association.

He is currently Senior Advisor in the SAMHSA 988 and Crisis Office after serving for 12 years as Chief for the Suicide Prevention Branch in the Center for Mental Health Services where he oversaw all branch suicide prevention activities, including the Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention, and Campus Suicide Prevention grant programs, the Zero Suicide initiative, the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, and the Native Connections program. He has worked with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline since its inception in 2005, including establishing the foundation for 988 as the national suicide prevention number. In 2008, he was appointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Secretary’s Blue Ribbon Work Group on Suicide Prevention. In 2009, he was appointed by the Secretary of Defense to the Department of Defense Task Force on Suicide Prevention in the Military. He served on the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Task Force that revised the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services project management team coordinating the 2024 revision of the U.S. National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. He also participated in the development of World Health Organization’s first World Suicide Prevention Report.

In 2023 he was awarded the American Association for Suicidology Dublin Award for Lifetime Achievement in Suicide Prevention. Also in 2023, he was a finalist for the Samuel J Heyman Service to America Medal for his contribution to the establishment of 988 as the new United States national suicide prevention and mental health crisis number.

As the Chief of Crisis and Justice Initiatives with SAMHSA’s 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Coordination Office, Tiffany serves as an advisor to the 988 director and other members of SAMHSA’s senior leadership in planning and determining policy, programs, and activities that address complex challenges in coordination of 988 crisis centers with law enforcement, 911 call centers, and emergency medical service providers. She also develops, recommends, and implements programs and provisions of guidance related to improving crisis response and equitable access to services for individuals with behavioral health needs that minimize unnecessary law enforcement involvement and promotes diversion from the justice system. Before joining SAMHSA, Tiffany directed the Mental Health and Justice Project which focused on improving behavioral health crisis responses in state and local governments for Pew Charitable Trusts. Prior to Pew, Russell served as the Director of Strategic Planning and Research Development in the District Court Administration for the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia, where she was responsible for building the court’s capacity by developing policies, programs, and processes to enhance the administration of justice and increase access to justice for all. Russell also held several positions in grant management, research, strategic
planning, public relations, and communications in nonprofit, government, and education organizations.

Russell holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership and a Master of Business Administration in Innovation from Mercer University.

Cynthia Shaffer, MS, MBA, Professional Certified Coach, is the Chief of Operations at Arudia, a firm dedicated to improving leadership, culture, collaboration and
communication. After a twenty-year career in healthcare administration, including in both an academic medical center and a Level I trauma center, Cynthia followed her
calling to support former colleagues and other professionals through individual and team coaching. She is an expert leadership and health and well-being coach who has
dedicated the last eight years to improving life for her clients through a “whole-person” approach. Clients seek her out because they appreciate that their well-being requires a
career that works, a healthy culture, and personal resilience.

Anne E. Collier, MPP, JD, Professional Certified Coach, is the CEO of Arudia, a firm dedicated to improving leadership, culture, collaboration and communication. She is an expert leadership coach steadfast in her commitment to excellence and her clients’ goals. She coaches and delivers programming designed to support individuals, teams and organizations in amplifying their accomplishments. Anne has designed and delivered custom tailored leadership development initiatives with associations and nonprofits generally, and specifically with community behavioral health organizations, and addiction agencies, both of which entail a level of crisis that can result in compassion fatigue, vicarious traumatization, and stress.

Christopher Kelly is a partner with Werfel, Moore & Kelly Law Group and serves as General Counsel for Amerimed. He has more than 25 years of experience focused on the mobile healthcare industry, including EMS and ambulance service, mobile integrated healthcare and community paramedicine, non-emergent medical transportation, and the billing and software companies that support these industries. He writes regularly for EMS World and sits on the magazine’s editorial advisory board. He has co-authored two guides on HIPAA for EMS and ambulance services. He has been an adjunct instructor for Virginia College, teaching Legal Aspects of Healthcare Administration and Health Law & Ethics. Chris is a contributor to various mobile healthcare publications, authoring dozens of articles over the span of his career, and is a frequent lecturer at State and National EMS conferences. Chris is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Non-Emergency Medical Transport Accreditation Commission (NEMTAC), and a current Board of Directors member for the National Association of Mobile Integrated Healthcare Providers (NAMIHP).

Philip M. Fennema is the Chief Operating Officer for TANDEM365.  TANDEM365 is an innovative organization designed to provide better care, better health, at lower cost.  TANDEM365’s primary purpose is to allow older adults to age in place and safely remain in their homes while avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations.  TANDEM365 operates in the space where a medical case management program intersects with a community paramedic program.  Philip’s 20 years’ experience in emergency medicine provides a unique insight into the challenges an organization like TANDEM365 faces.  Philip recognizes the challenges older adults with complex medical conditions face and firmly believes TANDEM365 can provide innovative solutions.  Through engagement with local, regional, and state level emergency medical service agencies, Philip serves this integrated care model by ensuring non-traditional utilization of EMS services is effective.

Dixon serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Amerimed Medical Solutions. Amerimed serves seven states with EMS and Mobile Integrated Healthcare services. Amerimed MIH is a pioneer in the Mobile Integrated Health industry since 2007.

Dixon started his EMS career at Winkenhofer Funeral Home and Ambulance Service, which served as the zoned “911” EMS provider in Cobb County, GA until 1992. Dixon was employed by Rural/Metro Corporation from the early 1990s until 2001. He served in several positions including Division General Manager for North Georgia, and ultimately, Chief Financial Officer for the Southern Emergency Services Group, covering 14 states.

In 2001, Dixon started Priority Emergency Medical Services. Priority EMS provided ambulance service throughout Georgia under Dixon’s leadership until 2011.

Dixon has been involved with various ambulance services across the country since the 1980’s. He also served as Communications Officer, Regional Director of Communications, Regional Director of Administrative Services, and Regional Manager during his tenure with his former employers. Dixon’s experience provides insight into the fiscal accountability, operational performance, and customer service needs of ambulance service users.

Dixon has provided direct oversight or support to many “911” EMS and General Transport systems throughout the southeast and Midwestern United States.

Dixon holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Brenau University and an undergraduate business degree from North Georgia University. He participates in many EMS, civic and public-safety related organizations.

Dr. Hunt is Senior Medical Advisor for the Office of Health Care Readiness at the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. He previously served as Director for Medical Preparedness and Response Policy, National Security Council Staff, The White House from 2013 to 2015. At the White House he played a critical role in the response to the Ebola crisis and led the Stop the Bleed initiative. Prior to his positions in Washington, Dr. Hunt was Distinguished Consultant and Director of the Division of Injury Response at CDC’s Injury Center. Prior to federal service he served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. He is a Past President of the National Association of EMS Physicians and was Vice Chair of the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems. Dr. Hunt is board certified in emergency medicine and is the recipient of the American College of Emergency Physicians James D. Mills Outstanding Contribution to Emergency Medicine Award.

This year’s American Ambulance Association President’s Reception will conclude with Bobby and The Aristocats, a high energy SHOWSTOPPER party band! They are the #1 most requested band in Nashville!

Nashville’s #1 Dolly Impersonator & Tribute Artist

Natasha is the most sought after Dolly impersonator for events in Nashville and all over the country for over ten years now. Capturing Dolly’s outgoing personality and charm, she is sure to make guests feel like they are watching Dolly herself big hair, big assets and all.

Natasha has been a life-long fan of Dolly Parton’s music, business endeavors, rhinestoned wardrobe, and who she is as a person.  She worked at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN in the show Country Crossroads. One of her fond memories while working at Dolly’s theme park was spending time between shows to hear personal stories from Dolly’s very own Uncle Bill.

With her show A Tribute to Dolly, she captures her voice and personality by singing her songs such as the classics 9 to 5, Jolene, Coat of Many Colors, I Will Always Love You and many more. Throughout the 90 minute show, hear stories behind the songs and life of Dolly growing up in the Smoky Mountains in a family of 12 children. These stories and the music, which features the mountain sounds with fiddle and banjo, are bound to take you back in time to a more simple life.

Portraying Dolly over the years, Natasha has performed on the Ryman Auditorium stage, performed as Dolly for Naomi Judd, sang Happy Birthday for Dolly’s 100 year old neighbor, and performed a concert of Dolly songs at Reba McEntire’s home The Estate at Cherokee Dock. The Grand Ole Opry hired Natasha to be a part of Dolly’s birthday celebration show since the real Dolly couldn’t be in attendance.

Recently Natasha had the opportunity to meet Dolly, who gave her stamp of approval by telling Natasha, “Good luck with your career whether it’s being YOU or being ME!” This is a show you don’t want to miss!

Gene Bradley is the EMS Chief of the Atchison-Holt Ambulance District, an ALS Super Rural Provider in Northwest Missouri.

Gene has been involved in EMS for over 39 years. He has held a variety of positions over those thirty-plus years. Gene has been a field Paramedic for busy urban services and for the last 25
years has been working in administrative positions for rural and super-rural services. In 2004 he helped introduce Paramedics into the Emergency Department of a Critical Care Hospital working jointly with the State Director of EMS in Nebraska on a pilot project. The Pilot project brought ALS care to Super Rural Nebraska partnering with hospitals that allowed funding through the Critical Access Hospital Program.

Gene also works at the Kansas Speedway as the Track Fire/Rescue Supervisor providing Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Care for NASCAR events and other large special events.
Gene has been actively involved in the MAA for the last 25 years. Gene is the immediate past President of the Missouri Ambulance Association. He is the Past Chair of the American Ambulance Association’s Education Committee and a current member of the Workforce Committee. Gene prides himself in being an advocate for the Super Rural Providers and making sure that the needs of the small rural providers are not forgotten.

Shelly Miller, CPCO, CPC, CAC, EMD, serves as the Revenue Cycle Manager for Mecklenburg EMS Agency (MEDIC) for Mecklenburg County located in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Medic serves a population of 1M+ covering 546 square miles with 600 employees and 73 ambulances.  Shelly has over 30 years in healthcare accounts receivable management.  Prior to Medic, Shelly has served as Vice President of a Revenue Cycle Management Company, as well as Director of Patient Accounting for Government Payors.  Shelly is a Certified Professional Compliance Officer and a Certified Professional Coder from American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC), as well as an Ambulance Certified Coder from National Association of Ambulance Coders (NAAC).  She received a BS in Healthcare Administration form Phieffer University.

Vice Chair, AAA State Association Forum

Neleen Rubin is a senior policy advisor working with Alston & Bird’s Health Care group. For more than 10 years, Neleen has advised health care clients on regulatory and legislative initiatives as a strategic consultant. Her expertise focuses on helping clients navigate the legislative, regulatory and policy development process, particularly related to the Medicare and Medicaid programs as well as health insurance and quality improvement policies.

Neleen served on the Senate Finance Committee Democratic majority staff, working on developing policies related to the Medicare Part A program as part of the landmark Affordable Care Act. She also served as a senior legislative advisor on health care issues to another senior Senator of the Senate Finance Committee and worked as a policy coordinator in the Secretary’s office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Neleen served as the vice president of government affairs at Edwards Lifesciences, establishing and leading the Washington office for the company.

Ann M. Jablon is a partner at Capitol Counsel, LLC. She brings to the firm more than 25 years of policy, political, and management experience as the lead staffer for Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Jablon brings to clients expertise in health care policy, financial services, tax, and trade issues. Her pragmatic and strategic style and experience in the federal appropriations process have resulted in multimillion-dollar projects and economic development for New England. She became one of the youngest women on the Hill to assume the chief of staff position after beginning as an intern and a scheduler for Congressman Neal.