Fall Conference Speakers

Rob Howrigon
Fulcrum Strategies
Friday, October 9 | 12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
The US Healthcare System and what the Future Holds
Ron Howrigon is President and CEO of Fulcrum Strategies, a consulting firm that represents physician practices across the U.S. in their dealings with managed care companies. Prior to founding Fulcrum, Ron spent 18 years in the managed care industry as a negotiator and network manager, holding senior management positions with Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Ron is the author of the book “Flatlining: How Healthcare Could Kill the U.S. Economy,” which presents a concise, comprehensible overview of the critical issues and challenges facing the economics of healthcare. Ron earned a Bachelors of Business Administration degree from Western Michigan University and a Master of Economics degree from North Carolina State University.

Michael Levy
Bluedoor Group
Thursday, October 8 | 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
The AI-Powered Practice: From Experimentation to Transformation
Michael Levy is a healthcare executive and digital health entrepreneur with more than 20 years of leadership at the intersection of healthcare systems, technology, and social impact. He is the CEO & Co-Founder of the Digital Health Institute for Transformation (DHIT), an internationally recognized non-profit that has cultivated a community of more than 10,000 innovators, launched global health innovation hubs, and pioneered community-driven innovation programs. In addition, Michael is Co-Founder of Bluedoor Group, a digital health growth agency recognized among the Top 50 Healthcare Companies worldwide, where he advises startups and health systems on go-to-market strategy. He also serves as a Venture Partner with SpringTide Ventures, supporting early-stage digital health companies.

Pete Mitchell
Gallagher
Friday, October 9 | 10:30 AM - 11:30M
Competing for Top Healthcare Talent: Innovative Compensation and Retention Strategies
Pete Mitchell is a Director with the Physician Compensation and Valuation team of Gallagher’s Human Resources & Compensation Consulting practice.

Pete joined Gallagher in 2013 and has extensive experience as a healthcare consultant advising health systems, hospitals, and physician practices on a variety of strategic, compliance, and financial engagements. These engagements include physician compensation strategy, Fair Market Value and Commercial Reasonableness reviews, physician and APP compensation audits, system/medical group merger talent strategy, and physician integration transactions.

Dean Otto
Friday, October 9 | 8:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Finish the Ride: The Power of Belief at Work and in Life
Before the accident, Dean spent over three decades in high-performing executive roles across sales and marketing at companies like Pillsbury, Frito Lay, KPMG and at software companies like Marigold and Braze. He led global teams, built multi-million-dollar business units, and thrived in environments that demanded accountability, grit, and results. He understands corporate leadership because he’s lived it—and rebuilt it from the ground up. Today, Dean’s message reaches companies not just because of what he survived—but because of what he knows. He bridges real-world business experience with life-changing insight, creating a message that meets teams where they are and moves them toward what’s possible.

Chad Peters
Curi Advisory
Thursday, October 8 | 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Revenue Cycle as Strategy: Turning Operational Pressure into Financial Advantage
Chad Peters leads Revenue Cycle Solutions at Curi Advisory, Curi's dedicated healthcare performance and optimization vertical. A 30-year healthcare revenue cycle veteran, his work spans multi-specialty physician groups, academic medical centers, integrated health systems, and private equity-backed platforms. Chad is known for delivering measurable EBITDA impact through revenue cycle optimization, technology and automation deployment, and disciplined execution of complex initiatives, including M&A integration and large-scale operational redesign.

Lee (Leyan) Phillips
Bluedoor Group
Thursday, October 8 | 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
The AI-Powered Practice: From Experimentation to Transformation
Lee is an innovator and brand strategist with 30 years' experience in Europe, the US and Asian markets. He has previously worked in senior marketing roles for global brands including Vodafone and Harrods, and has led creative agencies in Tokyo, London and Miami. For the last 20 years, he has specialized in the health sector, leading branding and consumer product innovation for organizations including US healthcare giant Humana, global telehealthcare company Tunstall, and major US health systems and providers. Lee is an expert in consumer engagement and behavior change marketing, and pioneered population health management programs in the UK’s NHS, where his exploits saw him inducted into the CorpComms 100 Club. In addition to cofounding Bluedoor Group, a digital health innovation and growth agency based in Chapel Hill, NC, he is a Co-founder of the non-profit Digital Health Institute for Transformation (DHIT).

Martina Young
Gallagher
Friday, October 9 | 10:30 AM - 11:30M
Competing for Top Healthcare Talent: Innovative Compensation and Retention Strategies
Martina Young is a Principal Consultant with the Healthcare Compensation Consulting practice with over 25 years of experience in compensation and human resources. Ms. Young works with organizations nationwide, specializing in staff, middle management, and executive compensation programs. She guides projects from the assessment of pay programs through the design and implementation of new programs. Ms. Young has a key interest in developing employee communication plans and conducting training around compensation to help organizations get the most benefit out of their compensation programming. She has also provided consulting services throughout the employee engagement survey process, from survey design through the feedback of results and management training.