The Nashville Health Care Council announced the 2025 class of Council Fellows, welcoming 27 senior healthcare leaders from diverse sectors to address the industry’s most pressing challenges. The program reflects the Council’s commitment to fostering collaborative leadership and includes a mix of genders, cultural backgrounds, and participants from outside Tennessee—bringing broad perspectives to shape the future of healthcare.

Nashville Health Care Council Announces 2025 Council Fellows Class

NASHVILLE, Tenn. January 7, 2025 — The Nashville Health Care Council, a catalyst for collaboration and innovation for leaders at every level, strengthens the healthcare industry by growing and attracting businesses, building a strong talent pipeline, and fostering a thriving business climate, proudly announces the 2025 Class of the Council Fellows program. This prestigious Nashville Health Care Council leadership program brings together 27 distinguished healthcare leaders to address the industry's most pressing challenges and opportunities.

Marking the Council Fellows 12th year the 2025 class highlights the organization’s ongoing evolution alongside the dynamic healthcare landscape. For three decades, the Council has been instrumental for Nashville’s rise as a global healthcare hub, fostering partnerships that drive progress and transformative change.

The 2025 Council Fellows program has evolved to meet the needs of today’s senior executives. Its five-month intensive format is designed for accessibility, and this year will feature an industry expert in each session, providing targeted insights and guidance based on their specialized expertise. Participants will engage with critical topics such as the cost of care and workforce challenges, gaining valuable perspectives while building relationships that extend beyond the program.

“For 30 years the Nashville Health Care Council has remained at the forefront of healthcare innovation, creating spaces where leaders can connect, collaborate, and share diverse perspectives,” said Apryl Childs-Potter, President of the Nashville Health Care Council. “The unique environments that the Council creates are where real transformation is fostered, and innovation thrives.” The Council Fellows program is an essential part of that mission, and this year’s class represents a select group of exceptional individuals committed to shaping the future of healthcare.

The Nashville Health Care Council has worked intentionally to cultivate a Fellows class that reflects the diversity of the healthcare ecosystem. The 2025 class includes a balanced mix of genders, leaders from varied cultural backgrounds, and participants from outside Tennessee, convening a broad spectrum of experiences and perspectives to tackle the industry’s most significant challenges.

“Collaboration is the driving force behind Nashville’s role as the leader in healthcare innovation,” Childs-Potter said. “As we celebrate this landmark year, the 2025 Nashville Health Care Council Fellows class embodies the range of viewpoints and experience needed to drive meaningful value and impact both on a local and national scale. We look forward to welcoming them to the program.”

The 2025 Council Fellows Class reflects the Nashville Health Care Council’s commitment to strengthening and elevating Nashville as the Healthcare City.

Members of the 2025 Council Fellows class include:

• Salman Ali, MBA, Chief Executive Office, Kouper Health
• Tobi Amosun, MD, FAAP, Deputy Commissioner for Population Health, Tennessee Department of Health
• Andre Juan ("A.J.") Bahou, JD, CPA, MBA Partner, Chair AI Practice, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
• Katina Beard, MPH, Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center, Inc.
• Eric Bohannon, Vice President, Regional President Medicare Operations, Humana
• Courtney Bolton, PhD, MA, APA, Chief Behavioral Health Officer, Imagine Pediatrics
• Patrick Brown, MBA, FACHE, Senior Vice President, Surgery Partners,
• Jonas de Souza, MD, MBA, Vice President Strategy & Innovation, HCA Healthcare
• Dan Farrell, MBA, Strategy & Innovation, Chief Revenue Officer, SpecialtyCare Associates
• John Fryer, MS, Chief Growth and Development Officer, President, Lumeris
• Anika Gardenhire, RN, Chief Digital and Information Officer, Ardent Health Services
• Alex Jahangir, MD, MMHC, Senior Vice President, Physician Network Development & ACMO; Vice-Chair and Professor Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Rachel Kern, Senior Vice President, First Trust Capital Partners
• Nicholas Lanzi, Vice President - Healthcare Delivery, CVS Health
• Jessica Le Roy Moore, MBA, Vice President of Enterprise Strategy, The Cigna Group
• Henry Leventis, JD, Healthcare Regulatory & Enforcement Partner, Holland & Knight
• Drew Mason, MBA, President Region 1, Community Health Systems
• Meghan McManama, DNP, Vice President, Product, Premise Health
• Jeremy Mercer, LPC, MHSP Vice President, Public Sector Growth, Optum
• Kevin O’Hara, JD, Senior Vice President, Platform Solutions and Product Strategy, HealthStream, Inc.
• Elmer Polite, President - Eastern Division, Lifepoint Health
• Emily Rash, MBA, Chief Value-Based Care Officer, US Heart & Vascular
• Safwan Shabab, MBA, MPP, Principal, TPG Capital
• Timothy Sides, Senior Vice President - Operations Finance, Acadia Healthcare
• Whitney Staub-Juergens, DNP-HIS, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Vice President, Care Transformation and Innovation Clinical Operations and Integration, Healthcare Corporation of America
• Michelle Steele, D., Associate Vice President of External Affairs and Chair of Applied Education, Meharry Medical College
• Stan Thompson, MD, MHA, FACEP, Chief Clinical Officer, TeamHealth Lifepoint Group, and Chief Diversity Officer, TeamHealth

 “We are excited to convene this exceptional group of leaders and foster meaningful dialogue on the future of healthcare,” said Lydie Marc, Senior Director. “Now more than ever, their insights and collaboration are critical to advancing the Council’s mission of reinforcing Nashville’s role as the nation’s Healthcare City.”

For more information and to stay up to date on this year’s Council Fellows Class, visit https://healthcarecouncil.com/council-fellows/.

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