HCAM Board of Stakeholders

The SRU Healthcare Administration and Management Board of Stakeholders provides guidance, feedback, and support to enhance the effectiveness and quality of HCAM programs. We are extremely fortunate to have such an impressive team of highly experienced and talented individuals who have distinguished themselves in the healthcare industry.

The Board supports our programs in many ways, including an annual HCAM - BOS student scholarship, direct one-on-one student mentorship, job shadows, internship and professional development opportunities, guest lectures, employer site visits, networking events, and much more...  

HCAM Board of Stakeholders Membership

Susan Tack Beardsley

Chief Administrative Officer/Partner

Quality Life Services

Susan Tack Beardsley is one of the three owners of Quality Life Services as well as its Chief Administrative Officer. Quality Life Services is a family-owner healthcare company in Western Pennsylvania comprised of ten skilled nursing centers, seven personal care facilities, a home health & hospice company and a pharmacy. Besides the day-to-day responsibilities of being a company owner, Susie oversees all aspects of human capital as well as headquarter operations. Susie is a graduate of Clarion University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication. She is a licensed personal care home administrator and a graduate of Leadership Butler. In addition to serving as the former Butler County Healthcare Consortium Co-Chair for over ten years, Susie serves on several educational and professional advisory boards, is an active member of the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence and serves on the MT. Chestnut Presbyterian Church Session. Susie lives in prospect with her husband, Rick, and their dog, Rooster (only one of which is well trained).

David T. Boucher, MPH, FACHE

Chief Strategy Officer, Taskforce BPO

Chief of Service Excellence

Aster DM Healthcare  

David Boucher currently has two interesting positions with global healthcare organizations: Chief Strategy Officer with Taskforce BPO and Chief of Service Excellence at Aster DM Healthcare, a 28-hospital chain based in Dubai with over 20,000 employees. Mr. Boucher earned his BS degree from Slippery Rock University (PA) and a MPH from the University of South Carolina; he has been named a distinguished alumnus by both institutions. David has been quoted in over 250 newspapers and journals including The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, The Economist, U.S. News & World Reports. He has been interviewed on NBC Nightly News and Fox Business News. He has delivered lectures on disruptive innovation in healthcare at Harvard Business School, Yale School of Management, and Harvard Medical School. David and his wife, Libby will reside in Skopje, Macedonia with their two puppies. They have 3 adult children who all live in the United States.

Alex Brooks

Director of Operations and Special Projects

Co-Director-UPMC Administrative Fellowship Program  

UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital

Alex M. Brooks, MS, MBA is the Director of Operations and Special Projects at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital. UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital and the behavioral health service line (Western) is one of the largest behavioral health organizations in the country with over 450 inpatient psychiatric beds and over 85 ambulatory programs in the network.

Alex focuses primarily on expanding access to earlier behavioral health interventions through the growth of UPMC’s integrated behavioral health network. Additionally, Alex has been heavily engaged in helping to design new community-based programs and is a part of Western’s Community Advisory Council.

Alex also serves as one of the co-directors of the UPMC Administrative Fellowship Program as well as the program director for the UPMC Administrative Summer Resident Program. Both leadership development programs, geared for graduate level students, recruit a diverse array of talent from across the country and prepare them to be highly skilled and culturally competent healthcare leader.

Amy Cashdollar DBA, MSN, RN, CMPE

Chief Operating Officer

Allegheny Health Network Wexford Hospital

Amy Cashdollar is an executive leader during the design and construction of new network hospital for Allegheny Health Network, the first new hospital for the system in over 60 years. During the 2020 COVID pandemic, also served as the AHN Network lead for the AHN COVID Pandemic Operations Center, developing and supporting a variety of tracking tools for capacity, disease prevalence, new infection control standards and practices and serration of team activities around the network to prepare for possible significant surge in our region. In 2021, Mrs. Cashdollar prepared for opening services by organizing a variety of operational activities to include workflow development, policies, training and orientation, equipment, planning, revenue cycle and provider onboarding and coverage services for a new hospital.

Eric L. Conley

President, Froedtert Hospital

Executive Vice President, Froedtert Health

Eric L. Conley is the Executive Vice President of Froedtert Health and President of Froedtert Hospital, a 710-bed, $1.8 billion organization. As President, he is responsible for the overall functions of the hospital; leafing the execution of performance with respect to strategic priorities and plans in the areas of service, quality, staff development, growth and finance; coordinating operational performance among the Froedtert Health system entities; and oversight of ambulatory services in partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin. Eric has been successful in leading organizations through major operational improvements including a 220 million reduction in cost, driving programs to Top Ten US News and World Report recognition, top decile performance in hospital patient safety metrics, and leading transplant programs to record volumes. In addition to Eric’s leadership, he has a diverse board experience in non-profit organizations as well as committee chair and appointments for executive compensation, finance, strategic planning, and mergers and acquisitions.

Anthony R. Danta

Payer Account Director

Lundbeck

Anthony R. Danta is highly accomplished National Account Director with an established contracting record of success in Medicare, Commercial and Medicaid market segments. This can include specialty, oncology, generic Sandoz, Ophthalmic Alcon divisions. Mr. Danta works closely with executive teams to build strategic alliance and business plans that lead to a profitable business collaboration. He also mentored colleagues from multiple divisions and has strong teamwork with Brand Teams, Product Launches, Patient Services and Life Cycle Management. Mr. Danta received his BSBA Degree from Youngstown State University and an MBA from Ohio University. He has won multiple awards including, Masters Club Award Inductee, National Account Manager of the Year Award, Diversity and Inclusion National Award, amongst many others.

Laura C. Duncan, MHA, MHI

Executive Administrator, Department of Medicine 

UPMC

Laura C. Duncan, MHA, MHI, is the Executive Administrator for the Department of Medicine with UPMC. She leads the Department of Medicine’s efforts to enhance access to care through telemedicine, clinical operations, and analytics within the ten divisions of the department.

In her free time, Laura works to advance diversity and inclusion through healthcare innovation and mentorship. She is an adjunct professor at Chatham University’s Healthcare Informatics Master’s program, mentoring students through their final capstone course called ‘Informatics Immersion.’ Laura is the President of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Association of Health Services Executives (the premier minority healthcare executive professional organization), and a member of the Diversity and Inclusion committee of the American College of Healthcare Executives Western PA Chapter. She is proud to link innovative and engaged healthcare leaders throughout western Pennsylvania to eliminate disparities of care that plague greater Pittsburgh.

Laura is an Elder of the Shadyside Presbyterian Church, and serves on the Off the Floor Pittsburgh board, which is the only furniture bank in southwestern Pennsylvania that delivers new and gently used furniture to families in need.

Tami Farrell

Director Quality, Patient Safety, Regulatory

Meadville Medical Center

Tami Farrell is the Director Quality, Patient Safety and Regulatory Accreditation for the Meadville Medical Center. She was appointed to Meadville Medical Center Administrative Team in 2019. In May 2020 Ms. Farrell was appointed to Hospice Administrative Oversight. Previously, Ms. Farrell worked as a nurse recruiter, department manager and staff nurse in the ICU, Emergency Department and Pediatrics. During these jobs, she was responsible to coordinate total nursing care for patients, planning the activities and operations of Meadville Medical Center’s Quality Department and was responsible for achieving optimum recruitment and retention strategies for professional nursing positions. She has an interest in HOPE AACR Canine Team- respond to natural and/or man-made disasters to offer animal-assisted comfort and encouragement. Ms. Farrell is also a board member of the Thurston Classic Hot Air Balloon Festival

Michael Grace, MBA, EdD, FACHE

President/CEO

West Virginia University Hospitals - West Virginia University Health System

Michael Grace, EdD, MBA, FACHE is the president of West Virginia University Hospitals and serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for the West Virginia University Health System.

Previously, he served as an interim president of Princeton Community Hospital in Princeton, West Virginia, and did so as that hospital joined the WVU Health System under a management services agreement.

Before joining the Health System, Mike spent 20 years as a senior leader at UPMC, including, most recently, service as the CEO of UPMC Mercy Hospital, a 495-bed tertiary and teaching hospital located in Pittsburgh, and earlier as a vice president of operations at UPMC Shadyside, a 520-bed tertiary facility. He also served as vice president for the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute and held several leadership positions within that health system’s academic practice plan, including executive administrator roles in the Cardiovascular Institute and the Department of Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Earlier in his career, he served as a director of ancillary and support services at Excela Health System – Frick Hospital, a 195-bed community hospital located in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania.

 Mike earned and maintains a fellow status in the American College of Healthcare Executives and completed his bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration as well as a master’s degree in Business Administration. He also recently completed his doctorate at the University of Southern California.

Michael J. Herald

Chief Executive Officer  

Guardian Healthcare

As a healthcare leader, Michael Herald’s passion is working to ensure that those who provide care to the sick, elderly, and vulnerable members of our communities are appreciated, have opportunities for personal professional growth and personal enrollment. Mr. Herald serves as a Chief Executive Officer at Guardian Healthcare. He received his Bachelor of Science in Economics from John Carroll University and Juris Doctor Degree from Duquesne University School of Law. On a personal note, in Mr. Herald’s free time, he enjoys trap shooting, playing golf, and traveling.

Mary Beth (Bedeck) Jenkins

Chief Operating Administrative Officer

UPMC Health Plan

Ms. Jenkins oversees Service Operations, Claims Administration, Configuration, Ancillary Product(s), Third Party Administration, the Organizational Performance and Project Management Office, and Consumer Innovation. Her responsibilities include coordinating fiscal management, administration, and operations for multiple departments; managing budgeting and resource allocation with senior leadership, finance, and Human Resources; and providing matrix reporting oversight across the organization in support of multiple lines of business.

In addition, she translates strategic initiatives into business objectives to support the organization’s continued growth. Ms. Jenkins has driven operational efficiencies at UPMC Health Plan for more than 20 years, helping the company maintain low administrative costs and high customer satisfaction. She is a strong supporter of the Health Plan’s process improvement efforts and has a Green Belt certification in Six Sigma.

Ms. Jenkins serves on the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations and privately held companies and is recognized nationally as an expert on service and claims optimization. She received her Bachelor’s degree in communication from Slippery Rock University and her Master of Business Administration from Duquesne University.

Dan LaVallee

Director, Social Impact

UPMC Health Plan

Dan LaVallee is director of the UPMC Center for Social Impact. Among his responsibilities is leading UPMC’s Pathways to Work program, which provides workforce training and educational opportunities to individuals who are on Medicaid. Dan also works on partnerships to serve people with intellectual disabilities, and he leads UPMC Health Plan’s LGBTQ health programming and related initiatives.

Before joining UPMC Health Plan, Dan ran for Congress (2014)—becoming one of the youngest people in recent decades to do so. He also led the merger of United Way of Butler County and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Dan serves on the boards of directors for United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, United way of Pennsylvania, and Community Human Services. He is chairman of United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Butler County Local Operating Board, and he was recently appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf to the Slippery Rock University Council of Trustees.

In 2019, Dan was named one of Pittsburgh Magazine’s “40 under 40” and Managed Healthcare Executive’s “10 Emerging Leaders.”

Dan earned both a master’s degree in health care policy and a bachelor’s degree in policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University. He lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife and daughter.

David Tupponce, MD - Chair

President

Allegheny Health Network Grove City Hospital

Dr. David Tupponce was appointed as President of AHN Grove City Medical center on January 11. 2021. He has an extensive clinical and administrative background in for-profit and non-profit healthcare systems in both urban and rural environments. Prior to joining Allegheny Health Network, he serves as Executive Vice President of Central Main Healthcare and President of Central Main Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine a 243-bed Level 2 Trauma Center. During his time at CMH, Dr. Tupponce also led the large employed medical group and oversaw significant improvements in quality, safety, and growth initiatives.

Before joining Central Maine, Dr. Tupponce was CEO of Tenet Healthcare’s Abrazo Scottsdale Campus, a 120-bed acute-care hospital in central Arizona. Prior to Tenet, Dr. Tupponce was Chief Medical Officer and then Chief Executive Officer of Paradise Valley Hospital, part of Vanguard Health in Phoenix, Arizona.

Dr. Tupponce earned his medical degree from George Washington University and a Master of Medical Management from Carnegie Mellon University. He was a family medicine chief resident at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and his clinical background includes services as a hospitalist and family practice physician.

Stacey  Vaccaro - Vice Chair

President and CEO

Familylinks, Inc.

Stacey Vaccaro is a non-profit leader with over 20 years of healthcare and human services experience. Her breadth of experience includes working with young children, youth, adults and older adults in the Pittsburgh Region, and she currently serves at the President & CEO of Familylinks, Inc. Familylinks is a non-profit agency serving individuals who may need behavioral health, drug and alcohol, residential and housing and community-based care management services across the lifespan. Her leadership skills have led her to leadership and founding roles on local non-profit boards such as Veterans Leadership Program, Women for A Healthy Environment, Hollow Oak Land Trust and the Western PA Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Ms. Vaccaro holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a specialization in Health Services Administration from Slippery Rock University, a Master of Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz School and she is currently pursuing a PhD in Business. Ms. Vaccaro lives in Moon Township with her husband and enjoys being outdoors, especially hiking, also baking and reading in her free time.

Steve Wagner

Senior Director WC Operations

UPMC Work Partners

Mr. Wagner earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Wagner has over 29 years of experience in workers’ compensation. He joined WorkPartners in July 2010 to assist with the opening of the Commercial Workers’ Compensation Department. He developed the department to focus on aggressive claims management, customer service, partnership building, and business development. Mr. Wagner also oversees the Self-Insured Claims Department in addition to the Commercial Claims Department. Mr. Wagner began his career at Old Republic Insurance Company as a workers’ compensation adjuster but has been managing a Claims Department in some form of the last 21 years.