The Nashville Health Care Council announced the completion of the 2025 class of Council Fellows. 27 senior healthcare leaders from diverse sectors addressed 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.

The Nashville Health Care Council Proudly Announces The Completion of The 2025 Council Fellows Program

NASHVILLE, Tenn. April 7, 2025 — The Nashville Health Care Council proudly announces the completion of the 2025 Council Fellows program, marking another milestone in cultivating healthcare leadership and fostering industry-wide innovation. This year’s cohort engaged in a dynamic, multi-session experience designed to explore the most pressing challenges and opportunities in healthcare today. 

 Council Fellows, a program of the Nashville Health Care Council, is an intensive four-month experience that convenes top healthcare executives for intentional dialogue on industry-defining issues. Through expert-led discussions, immersive learning, and collaborative problem-solving, Council Fellows deepen their understanding and expand their leadership capacity to drive meaningful change. 

 “The 2025 Council Fellows cohort represents the breadth and depth of healthcare leadership, tackling complex issues with insight, collaboration, and a commitment to transformation,” said Apryl Childs-Potter, President, Nashville Health Care Council. “By fostering cross-sector dialogue and equipping leaders with a systems-level perspective, the Council Fellows program continues to advance the future of healthcare.” 

 This year’s Council Fellows journey featured immersive learning experiences that placed participants at the forefront of real-world healthcare environments. During a visit to Meharry Medical College’s advanced Simulation and Clinical Skills Center, Council Fellows stepped into clinical provider roles, engaging in trauma care and complex patient scenarios to gain firsthand insight into healthcare delivery challenges. 

 The cohort also explored the intersection of social determinants and health outcomes, discussing how systemic inequities and policy choices shape disparities. Another session emphasized the need to integrate oral health into overall healthcare, highlighting the impact on chronic disease management and access to care. Council Fellows participated in case study discussions, working collaboratively to address real-world healthcare access challenges. 

 Additional sessions delved into innovation in healthcare, cost of care, and preparing for the next generation of healthcare leadership. Council Fellows engaged in solution-driven discussions on leadership, social determinants of health, Cost of care, health policy and more.  

 “It has been inspiring to see the 2025 Council Fellows class engage deeply with these critical topics,” said Lydie Marc, Senior Director, Nashville Health Care Council. “Their collective expertise and commitment to shaping a stronger, more innovative healthcare system will have a lasting impact.” 

Members of the 2025 Council Fellows class included:

• 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

As the 2025 Council Fellows move forward, they carry with them not only new perspectives and relationships but also the tools and strategies needed to lead transformative change. The bonds they have forged with program faculty, class members, and alumni will continue to grow through the Nashville Health Care Council and Council Fellows Alumni network, fostering collaboration long after the program concludes.  

 The Nashville Health Care Council celebrates their achievements and looks ahead to continued collaboration in building a stronger, more connected healthcare industry. 

 Learn more about The Nashville Health Care Council, Council Fellows and the Council Fellows Alumni by visiting our website at healthcarecouncil.com/council-fellows/alumni. 

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