Speakers

Rashmi Airan
Transformation Expert and Professional Speaker
Thursday, March 12 | 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
RISE Through It: Transforming Our Hidden Prisons of Uncertainty into Growth, Clarity, and Limitless Results
Rashmi Airan is a transformation expert and creator of the Rise Through It'" framework, which equips leaders to break free from the mental prisons of fear, assumptions, and unspoken rules that hold them back. A former attorney and Wall Street investment banker turned entrepreneur, professor, and globally recognized speaker, Rashmi helps individuals and organizations dismantle limiting beliefs and rise into clarity, courage, and possibility.

Caroline D. Brown, MBA
Founder & Principal, CDB Strategy
Friday, March 13 | 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Leadership - Advancing - Strategic Planning
Caroline Brown is a strategist, advisor, and builder with more than 15 years of experience at the intersection of healthcare, education, and public affairs. As the founder of CDB Strategy, she partners with mission-driven organizations to position themselves for the future, tackle complex challenges, and drive lasting impact.

A former Chief Strategy Officer at a $7 billion, 30,000-employee organization, Caroline led enterprise-wide strategic planning and built cross-sector partnerships that accelerated growth and advanced institutional goals. Her career spans the public, private, and nonprofit sectors — from national political campaigns to leading academic health systems — giving her a unique and versatile perspective.

Robert Downing
CEO, Premier Health
Friday, March 13 | 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
The Perfect Storm: Rising Costs, Staffing Strains, and Financial Pressures Challenging Practice Sustainability
Robert Downing has spent over 25 years transforming healthcare organizations across the country. He began his career with The Joint Commission, applying Six Sigma techniques to drive operational efficiency and quality improvement. He then served as Controller and Chief Financial Officer in hospital systems for more than 15 years, before expanding his leadership to some of the largest outpatient practices in South Carolina and multi-hospital systems in Tennessee.

Recognized as a leader in healthcare finance, Robert has developed and implemented some of the most effective profitability models for hospitals and outpatient practices in the country. Over his career, he has saved hundreds of millions of dollars and increased profitability on average by over 25% for his clients, setting a strong benchmark for operational and financial excellence.

Todd Pittman,CMPE
CEO of Digestive Health Specialists
Friday, March 13 | 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
ACMPE Presentation
Over the past 30 years, Todd has held diverse private and specialty healthcare roles, including administration and consulting. He has been active with the Carolinas MGMA, serving as President of multiple chapters and chairing various conferences, including Carolinas MGMA conferences, for over 20 years. His leadership extends to the MGMA Annual Conference Committee and as a State Liaison.

Ashley Rodriguez, JD
CLO of the NC Medical Society
Thursday, March 12 | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
SC Medical Association & NC Medical Society Panel Discussion
Ashley’s roots run deep in North Carolina. She grew up in Mount Olive and goes home often to visit her parents, who both are upper level administrators at the University of Mount Olive. After earning her undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington and her law degree at Campbell University, Ashley gained valuable experience as a medical malpractice defense attorney. Ultimately, however, she decided that public policy was a better fit and moved on to the North Carolina Division of Public Health as a legal consultant for the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

She and her husband, Orlando, also an attorney (they met at law school), consider themselves ‘amateur policy wonks’ and love debating the issues. Ashley spends every spare moment with her young daughter and enjoying family time boating on the Pamlico River.

Mickey Smith, LFACHE, FACMPE, FHFMA
45-year Career Healthcare Executive
Friday, March 13 | 8:45 AM - 9:30 AM
Hiring Your Way to High-Performance: Strategic Workforce Design for Medical Practices
Mickey Smith is a seasoned healthcare executive, past Board Chair of MGMA-ACMPE and former President of South Carolina MGMA. Over a 45-year career, he served in senior leadership roles across the Southeast, including 18 years as CEO of HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital in Brooksville, Florida, where he led significant expansion including the launch of a robust graduate medical education program.

A Fellow in the American College of Medical Practice Executives, Mickey holds graduate degrees in Business Administration and Health Services Management from the University of Missouri. A lifelong learner, he is currently enrolled in a graduate program at Georgia Tech—focused on Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence.

Richele Taylor
CEO and CLO of the SC Medical Association and Fulcrum Risk Solutions
Thursday, March 12 | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
SC Medical Association & NC Medical Society Panel Discussion
Richele Taylor is the CEO and Chief Legal Officer of the South Carolina Medical Association (SCMA), the SCMA Foundation, and Fulcrum Risk Solutions —organizations dedicated to advocating for and supporting the voice of physicians. In her role, she also collaborates with the Members' Insurance Trust (MIT), a health care Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) sponsored by the SCMA to provide health insurance solutions for physician practices. Previously, Richele served as the SCMA’s General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Communication, where she provided legal counsel, advocacy, and strategic guidance to the SCMA and its subsidiaries.

Spence M. Taylor, MD
The Physicians Collaborative
Thursday, March 12 | 12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
Collaborating for Success: How Independent Practices and Hospital Systems Thrive Through Collaboration
Dr. Taylor is a nationally recognized physician leader and vascular surgeon dedicated to advancing physician autonomy and patient wellbeing. As founder of a new enterprise focused on strengthening South Carolina’s independent medical community, Dr. Taylor is redefining what it means for providers and patients to lead in modern healthcare. His organization, The Physicians Collaborative, is a doctor-led community that empowers medical practices through shared resources, collaborative contracting, and business solutions designed to help them thrive.