2025 Executive War College Agenda

Here is the 2025 Executive War College Agenda. As session topics and speakers are confirmed, they will be posted on this page. Watch this site regularly to catch all the new topics and speakers. 

Last Early Bird Registration through 3/21/25: $1,795

We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans!

Executive War College 2025 Agenda graphic

These are the speakers and the sessions that are confirmed to appear during the 2025 Executive War College. Specific days, times, and locations for each session will be announced in the future.

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Pursuing the Opportunities and Overcoming the Challenges for Clinical Labs, Genetic Testing Companies, and Anatomic Pathology Groups.

Robert Michel, President, The Dark Intelligence Group.

Robert Michel
President, 
The Dark Intelligence Group,
Austin, TX

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Funding, Creating, and Operating the Nation’s first Diagnostic Center:
Elevating the Value of Laboratory Medicine to Improve Patient Care in a Financially-Sustainable Model

Michael Laposata, Professor and Chair of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston

Michael Laposata
MD, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Pathology,
Univ. of Texas Medical Branch,
Galveston, Texas

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Creating WOWS by embedding innovation as a strategy, leading to all things digital and the introduction AI

Sam Terese, CEO, Alverno Clinical Laboratories, Hammond, Indiana

Sam Terese
CEO & President,
Alverno Laboratories,
Gary, IN

SESSION

Schedule TBD

The expert driven, patient specific interpretation of test results is finally operational

Michael Laposata, Professor and Chair of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston

Michael Laposata
MD, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Pathology,
Univ. of Texas Medical Branch,
Galveston, Texas

SESSION

Schedule TBD

2025 Payer Denial Impact Report: Unveiling the Latest Trends and Recommended Practices for Optimizing Clinical Lab, Hospital Outreach, and Pathology Claim Denials and Appeals

Diana Richard, Sr. Director, Pathology and Strategic Development, XIFIN, San Diego, CA

Diana Richard
AVP, National Accounts, Path/Rad/Health Systems,
XiFin, Inc.
San Diego, CA

Stephanie Sessions
YP, Revenue Cycle Operations,
XiFin, Inc. 
San Diego, CA

Stephanie Deham, Assoc Vice President, Revenue Cycle Management and Analytics at XFIN

Stephanie Denham
AVP,
RCM Systems and Analytics,
XiFin, Inc. 
San Diego, CA

SESSION

Schedule TBD

From Surgery to Slide: Implementing a Lean-Based Histology System to Track, Automate, and Produce High Quality Slides In Support of Fully-Digital Pathology Labs

Executive War College Speaker

Michelle Bell
Service and Applications Manager, Milestone Medical Technologies, Austin, TX

Elia Rosetta
CEO,
Milestone Medical Technologies, Kalamazoo, MI

Executive War College Speaker

Vanessa Visioni
Vice President,
Milestone Medical Technologies, Sorisole, Italy

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Orchestrating Three Paths to Clinical Lab Success: Combining Staff Career Ladder and Productivity to Optimize Lab Performance to Support Value Based Care

Jennifer Fralick
Vice President, Anatomic Pathology & Clinical Laboratories
Stanford Health Care,
Menlo Park, CA

SESSION

Schedule TBD​

Winning with Hospital Lab Outreach: Today’s Proven Ways to Increase Test Volume, Improve Patient Outcomes, and Generate More Revenue

Jane Hermansen, Director, Outreach and Network Development, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Jane Hermansen
Director,
Outreach and Network Development,
Mayo Clinic,
Rochester, MN

SESSION

Schedule TBD​

Bringing Blood Drawing Into the Automation Age: A First Look at the World’s First Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device Now in Clinical Use

Brian Joseph, CEO, Vitestro, Inc. Utrecht, The Netherlands

Brian Joseph
CEO,
Vitestro, Inc.,
Utrecht, The Netherlands

Thijs van Holten
PhD,
Clinical Chemist,
St. Antonius Hospital,
Nieuwegein, The Netherlands

PANEL

Schedule TBD

Panel: Changes in Washington, DC: New Congress, New Administration, FDA, CMS, OIG, and More

Moderator: John Kolozsvary
Panelists: Susan Van Meter, Russell Ring, Zach Rothstein

John Kolozsvary Chief Executive Officer at Joint Venture Hospital Laboratories

John Kolozsvary
Chief Executive Officer,
Joint Venture Hospital Laboratories, Allen Park, MI

Susan Van Meter, President, American Clinical Laboratory Association

Susan Van Meter
President,
American Clinical Laboratory Association,
Washington, DC

Vice President, Government Affairs, Roche Diagnostics, Washington, D.C.

Russell Ring
Vice President, Government Affairs,
Roche Diagnostics,
Washington, D.C.

Zach Rothstein Director of AdvaMedDx, Washington, D.C.

Zach Rothstein
Executive Director of AdvaMedDx,
Washington, D.C.

PANEL

Schedule TBD

Opportunities for Anatomic Pathology Labs to Collaborate with Pharma, Biotech, CROs: What Has Value for All Parties, Structuring Relationships, Identifying Productive Business Models

Moderator: William Morice
Panelists: Jay White, Robert Feeney, Jennifer Quigley

William Morice President and CEO Mayo Clinic Laboratories

William Morice
MD, PhD
CEO & President,
Mayo Collaborative Services-
Mayo Clinic Laboratories.
Rochester, Minnesota

Jennifer Quigley, Sr. Director Global Precision Diagnostics, Novartis

Jennifer Quigley
Senior Director,
Precision Health & Partnerships BionTech,
Mainz, Germany

Executive War College Speaker

Robert Feeney
PhD,
Director, Account Solutions Personalized & Precision Medicine, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.,
East Hanover, New Jersey

Executive War College Speaker

Jay White
PhD, MPH
Sr. Director,
Precision Medicine & Diagnostics
Eli Lilly and Company,
Indianapolis, IN

SESSION

Schedule TBD

State of Market Adoption for Digital Pathology By Largest Lab Organizations in the United States

Lisa-Jean Clifford, COO & Chief Strategy Officer, Gestalt Diagnostics, Spokane, Wash

Lisa-Jean Clifford
COO & Chief Strategy Officer,
Gestalt,
Spokane, WA

Chandra Holback, Director Business Development, Clinical Optum Enterprise Imaging

Chandra Holback
Director Business Development,
Clinical Optum Enterprise Imaging, Eden Prairie, MN

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Successful Hospital Laboratory Outreach Program Launches from a Standing Start and on a Budget by Exceeding Physicians’ Expectations and Delivering Clinical Value

Executive War College Speaker

Angela Vetch
MPH, DLM,
Director, Laboratory Services,
Kootenai Health,
Coeur d’Alene, ID

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Achieving “One Organization, One Application”: Using a Single, Front-End IT Platform to Eliminate All Paper, Unlock Savings, while Boosting Productivity, and enhancing employee and patient Satisfaction

Sonny Varadan, Chief Information Officer Sonora Quest Laboratories

Sonny Varadan
Chief Information Officer,
Sonora Quest Laboratories

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Anatomic Pathology’s New Specialist Business Model: Aligning Services that Deliver Value to Referring Physicians, Payers, and Subspecialist Pathologists Seeking More Independence

Tiffani Milles
MD,
Pathologist,
Goldfinch Laboratory,
Des Moines, Iowa

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Combining Lean & 100% Digital Pathology to Produce Faster, More Accurate Diagnoses with Increased Productivity of Staff & Pathologists: Transforming anatomic pathology delivery in the UK NHS

David Clark, Consultant Haematopathologist, Clinical Lead for Digital Pathology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

David Clark
MD,
Consultant Haematopathologist, Clinical Lead for Digital Pathology, Nottingham University Hospitals
NHS Trust,
Nottingham, England, UK

Paul Chenery Nottingham University Hospital

Paul Chenery
Head of Quality, Training & Strategic Improvement Improvement within Pathology, 
Nottingham University Hospital
NHS Trust,
Nottingham, England, UK

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Effective Ways to Meet Today’s Lab Staff Recruiting and Retention Challenge: Educating High Schoolers, Leveraging Social Media, Career Paths in the Lab, plus Some Secrets

Mike Baron Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories

Mike Baron
Executive Director of Clinical Laboratory Operations,
Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories
Milwaukee, WI

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Anatomic Pathology’s New Specialist Business Model: Aligning Services that Deliver Value to Referring Physicians, Payers, and Subspecialist Pathologists Seeking More Independence

Jared Abbott, MD, PhD, Goldfinch Laboratory, Urbandale, Iowa

Jared Abbott
MD, PhD,
Pathologist and Founding Owner,
Goldfinch Laboratory,
Urbandale, IA

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Achieving Successful CLIA Inspections in 52 Health System Labs in 14 days: Using the Power of Informatics, Teamwork, and Collaboration to Create a New Inspection Paradigm

Jen Umscheid
Senior Director, Quality, Innovation,  & Performance Excellence,
Sonora Quest Laboratories/Laboratory Sciences of Arizona,
Tempe, AZ

PANEL

Schedule TBD

Optimizing Revenue & Reducing Costs Through Interoperability and RCM Collaboration

Moderator: Greg Stein
Panelists: Aaron Liston, Adrian Brown

Gregory Stein CEO, Shadowbox, Encinitas, CA

Gregory Stein
Founder, CEO,
Shadowbox, Inc.,
Carlsbad, CA

Aaron Liston, Chief Executive Officer, Aima Business and Medical Support, LLC

Aaron Liston
CEO,
AIMA Business and Medical,
Cary, NC

Adrian Brown, RCM Billing Manager, Providers Choice Laboratories

Adrian Brown
RCM Billing Manager,
Providers’ Choice Laboratories,
Houston, TX

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Transforming the Patient’s Clinical Laboratory Experience: Novel Specimen Collection Solution Now Offered in Retail Pharmacies also Gives Labs a Unique Way to Add Value, Build Test Referrals

Eric Olson
Founder,
Babson Diagnostics,
Austin, TX

WORKSHOP

Schedule TBD

Third-Day Workshop: Lean for Lab Leaders: Proven Ways to Swiftly Slash While Boosting Productivity and Improving Staff Retention

Katja Lehmann, Director Lean Practice, Lean Focus, LLC

Katja Lehmann
Director Lead Practice,
Lean Focus, LLC.,
Scottsdale, AZ

WORKSHOP

Schedule TBD

Third-Day Workshop: What’s Changing in CLIA Compliance and Inspections: Essentials for Lab Quality Officers and CLIA Lab Directors

Chair & Moderator: Nora Hess

Nora Hess, Senior Consultant at Accumen.

Nora Hess
MBA, MT (ASCP), PMP,
Senior Consultant,
Hc1,
Sarasota, FL

Kathy Nucifora Chief Operating Officer Cola, Inc.

Kathy Nucifora
MPH, MLS (ASCP),
Chief Operating Officer,
COLA Inc.,
Columbia, MD

Denise Driscoll, Senior Director, Accreditation and Regulatory Affairs, College of American Pathologists

Denise Driscoll
MS, MT(ASCP)SBB,
Vice President,
Laboratory Accreditation Programs,
College of American Pathologists,
Northfield, IL

Danielle Tangorre, Partner, Robinson+Cole

Danielle Tangorre
Esq.,
Partner,
Robinson+Cole,
Albany, NY 

Lindsay Strotman, Laboratory Director at Lighthouse Laboratory Services

Lindsay Strotman
PhD,
Laboratory Director,
Lighthouse Lab Services,
Louisville, KY

Silka Clark, MLS, HC1 + Accumen

Silka Clark
MLS,
Healthcare Consultant
hc1 + Accumen,
Aurora, CO

Melany Williams
MBA, MLS(ASCP), Director,
Laboratory SME, Mission Development and Organization Engagement,
The Joint Commission,
Oakbrook Terrace, IL

WORKSHOP

Schedule TBD

Third-Day Workshop: Whole Genome Sequencing and Genetic Testing for Community Hospitals

Chair & Moderator: Honey Reddi

Honey Reddi an Executive War College Speaker

Honey Reddi
PhD,
SVP and Medical Director,
Belay Diagnostics,
Chicago, IL

Executive War College Speaker

Brian Coe
CEO,
Belay Diagnostics,
Chicago, IL

Executive War College Speaker

Julie Hirschorn
PhD, HCLD,
Systems Director of
Molecular Microbiology,
Geisinger Health, Danville, PA

Annie Scrimenti
Director,
Public Policy & Advocacy,
Association for Molecular Pathology,
Rockville, MD

Executive War College Speaker

Shashi Shetty
PhD,
Director, Cytogenetics Laboratory Center for Human Genetics Laboratory University Hospitals
Health System,
Cleveland, Ohio

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Cyberattack! Lessons from Our Labs Response to Ransomware Shutdown of Academic Medical Center

Christi Wojewoda MD Director, Clincial Microbiology University of Vermont Medical Center

Christina Wojewoda
Director, Clinical Microbiology, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Using Simple, Off-the-Shelf Digital Tools to Speed Processing of Lab Claims, Reduce Manual Touches, Increase Clean Claims, and Generate More and Faster Reimbursement

Rick VanNess
Co-Founder, Wuscott LLC.,
Albuquerque, NM

Executive War College Speaker

Orus Guerra
CEO,
Southwest Labs,
Albuquerque, NM

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Lab Testing Close to Where Patients Live and Work: How Our Lab Supports Urgent Care Clinics Tied to Freestanding Emergency Rooms

Kathleen David, MT, Associate director Point of Care TriCore Reference Laboratories

Kathleen David
MT,
Associate Director,
Near Patient Testing,
TriCore Reference Laboratories,
Albuquerque, NM

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Automating Hemostasis Testing in Two Academic Center Labs To Achieve Faster TAT, Boost Staff Productivity, and Improve Auto-Validation Rates

Ryan Mize, DCLA, MHA, Medical Director at Massachusetts General Hospital

Ryan Mize
DCLS, MHA,
Medical Director,
Massachusetts General Hospital, Associate Medical Director,
Brigham and Women’s Hospital,
Cambridge, MA.

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Pathology’s Hottest Job Market in 25 Years: Making Your Practice Competitive in Younger Pathologists in Today’s Recruiting Landscape

Jen Barna

Jen Barna
MD,
Santé Consulting,
St. Louis, MO

SESSION

Schedule TBD

Challenges and Best Practices in Anatomic Pathology Charging: Connecting Beaker and EPIC EHR to Automate Data Collection to Improve Coding, Billing and Collections

Zak Keir, Senior Analyst, Honeydew Consulting

Zak Keir
Senior Analyst,
Honeydew Consulting,
Houston, TX

Executive War College Speaker

Lily Sandler
Senior Beaker Consultant,
Honeydew Consulting,
Houston, TX

Executive War College Speaker

Marshall Brett
Senior Lab Systems Analyst,
Wellstar Health,
Atlanta,GA

BENEFACTOR SESSION

Schedule TBD

TELCOR 

Benefactor: How to Overcome Common Barriers to Reimbursement

Low collections are often attributed to two major challenges: flawed software that limits collections potential, and difficulties in finding skilled professionals or competent billing services. Addressing these barriers requires a strategic approach tailored to the unique needs of your laboratory.

For years, technology has lagged behind the growing complexities imposed by payers. Billing teams remain reliant on manual processes and outdated tools to manage prior authorizations, missing information, denials, and appeals. Deciding on the right software is critical but can be overwhelming. Should you opt for a cost-effective practice management system that may lack specialized functionality? Should you invest heavily in a robust solution with long-term ROI potential? Or should you consider an “out-of-the-box” solution that meets current needs but may lack scalability as your lab grows or regulations evolve?

Simultaneously, building a high-performing billing team has become increasingly difficult. The pandemic reshaped workforce dynamics and finding experienced revenue cycle professionals can feel like an uphill battle. While outsourcing billing operations to another country might seem like a quick fix, this approach often introduces new risks, including potential compliance challenges, data security concerns, and diminished control over operations. To succeed, leaders must adopt innovative approaches to recruitment—prioritizing skills, adaptability, and cultural fit over traditional criteria. This is equally crucial when vetting external billing services.

In this session, we’ll explore how to align your laboratory’s reimbursement strategy with the right technology and talent to maximize collections and streamline operations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Strategically assess your lab’s billing needs to identify software solutions that meet operational, financial, and regulatory demands.
  • Compare software options of practice management systems, enterprise solutions, and customizable platforms—to find the best fit for your organization’s maturity and growth trajectory.
  • Reimagine workforce strategies by evaluating innovative recruitment practices and selecting billing partners who align with your lab’s goals.
  • Understand the risks of offshore outsourcing and why keeping billing operations local ensures compliance, security, and greater operational control.

Darla Wanitschke, Director of Customer Success, TELCOR

Darla Wanitschke
Vice President,
Customer Success,
TELCOR,
Lincoln, NE

Rick Roark, consultant

Rick Roark
Consultant

WORKSHOP

Tuesday, 1:30 PM

Laboratory & Pathology Merger and Acquisition Workshop

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM  
Panel—Business and Marketing Strategies for Laboratories in Changing Times

Chair: Elizabeth Sullivan
Panelists: Brad Bostic, Mike Armstrong, Julie Ramage

Elizabeth Sullivan, McDonald Hopkins

Elizabeth Sullivan
Chair,
Healthcare Practice Group,
McDonald Hopkins,
Cleveland, Ohio

Brad Bostic
President and CEO,
hc1 + Accumen,
Indianapolis, Indiana

Julie Ramage, Principal at Harbor Precision Genomics Consulting, Gib Harbor, Washington

Julie Ramage
Principal,
Harbor Precision Genomics Consulting,
Gig Harbor, WA

Executive War College Speaker

Mike Armstrong
Chief Operating Officer,
Pacific Rim Pathology,
San Diego, Calif

2:15 PM – 3:00 PM  
Panel—Behind the Curtain: Buyers Share What Drives Lab Valuations

Chair: Emily Johnson
Panelists: Patrick Walsh, Jim Billington, John Erwin

Emily Johnson, Attorney, McDonald Hopkins

Emily Johnson
title,
Company,
City, State

Patrick Walsh, Managing Director, Ziegler

Patrick Walsh
Managing Director,
Ziegler,
Nashville, Tennesse

Jim Billington, Chief Executive Officer, Versant Diagnostics

Jim Billington
Chief Executive Officer,
Versant Diagnostics,
Grapevine, Texas

Executive War College Speaker

John Erwin
Partner,
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton,
Raleigh, NC

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Panel—Current Market for Hospital Lab Outreach Transactions: Structuring the Deal and Management Service Arrangements

Chair: Cristal Contini
Panelists: Noel Maring, Melissa Butterworth, Laura Davis

Christal Contini, Attorney, McDonald Hopkins, Cleveland,OH.

Cristal Contini
Chair,
M&A Practice Group,
McDonald Hopkins,
Cleveland, Ohio

Noel Maring, Executive Director, Health Systems, LabCorp

Noel Maring
Executive Director,
Health Systems, Labcorp,
Burlington, NC

Melissa Butterworth, President & CEO, Advanced Strategic Partners, Hollywood, FL.

Melissa Butterworth
President,
Advanced Strategic Partners,
Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Executive War College Speaker

Laura Davis

3:45 PM – 4:35 PM  
Panel—Lab Valuation Trends: Factors That Drive High Values and Multiples in Acquisitions of Independent Labs, Genetic Labs, and Pathology Groups

Chair: Rick Cooper
Panelists: Chris Jahnle, Anil Asnani, Corey Roberts

Richard Cooper, Partner, McDonald Hopkins, Cleveland, OH.

Rick Cooper
Partner,
Advanced Strategic Partners,
Cleveland, Ohio

Christopher Jahnle, Managing Director, Haverford Healthcare Advisors, Radnor, PA

Chris Jahnle
Managing Director,
Haverford Healthcare Advisors,
Paoli, PA

Anil Asnani
Senior VP,
Strategy & Corporate Development,
Labcorp,
Burlington, NC

Cory Roberts, President, Sonic Healthcare USA, Austin, Texas

Cory Roberts
MD,
President,
Sonic Healthcare USA,
Austin, Texas

Special Learning Opportunities

Choose From These
Exceptional Workshops
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2025 Post-Conference Workshops

Thursday, May 1, 2025

WORKSHOP 1    

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Whole Genome Sequencing and Genetic Testing for Community Hospitals – Companion Diagnostics in Lab–Pharma Relationships

WORKSHOP 2


8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Breaking Pathology’s Glass Slide Updated! Ways to Build Revenue with Digital Pathology, Whole Slide Images, AI Diagnostic Tools, and More

WORKSHOP 3

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Lean for Lab Leaders: Proven Ways to Swiftly Slash Costs While Boosting Productivity and Improving Staff Retention

WORKSHOP 4

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

What’s Changing in CLIA Compliance and Inspections: Essentials for Lab Quality Officers and CLIA Lab Directors

Who Attends the Executive War College

Health Systems and Hospital Clinical Laboratory and Pathology Leadership

Hospital C-Suite Administrators

Laboratory Vice Presidents

Pathology Lab Directors/Administrators

Laboratory Directors

Molecular and Genetic Lab Leaders

Precision Medicine & Genetic Program Directors/Administrators

Laboratory Section Managers/Leaders/Supervisors

Representative Labs:

  • ACL Laboratories/Advocate Health
  • Cleveland Clinic Laboratories
  • Medical University of South Carolina
  • Johns Hopkins Medicine
  • Baptist Health South Florida
  • Banner Health
  • Intermountain Health Outreach Labs
  • Baylor Scott & White Health
  • Cedars Sinai
  • Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center
  • Fabric Genomics
  • Kaiser Permanente

Independent Laboratories and Pathology Groups

Laboratory Owners/C-Suite/Vice Presidents/Directors

Pathology Group Owners/Directors

Pathology Group Practice Administrators

Physician Group Lab Owners/Directors

Public Health/Population Health VP’s/Directors

Life Sciences/Research Labs

Representative Labs:

  • Mayo Clinic Laboratories
  • ARUP (Reference Lab)
  • LabCorp (Reference Lab)
  • TriCore (Reference Lab)
  • GeneDx
  • Sonic Labs (Reference Lab)
  • Michigan Pathology Specialists (Pathologist Group)
  • Pacific Pathology Labs (Pathology Group)
  • NorDX (Animal Reference Lab)
  • Novartis (Research Pharm (Life Sciences)
  • AstraZeneca (Pharm/Life Sciences)
  • Caris Life Sciences (Pharm/Life Sciences)
  • Sonora Quest (Population Health Division)

Partners and Suppliers to Laboratory and Pathology Groups

In Vitro Diagnostic Manufacturers

LIS/Pathology LIS/LIMS/RCM/IT

Diagnostic Instrument, Product & Technology

Informatics Products and Services

Suppliers of Automation, Analyzers, and Assays

Revenue Cycle Management (RCM), Coding, Billing, and Collections

Legal, Regulatory & Compliance

Representative Companies:

  • Abbott (Diagnostics)
  • Epic Corporation (EMR/LIS)
  • Clinisys LIS
  • Cerner LIS
  • Telcor (Technology)
  • XIFIN (Technology/Informatics)
  • LifePoint Informatics
  • Change Health Care (RCM/billing)
  • HC1 (RCM)
  • Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc. (RCM)
  • COLA (Regulatory)
  • College of American Pathologists (Regulatory)
  • Beckman Diagnostics (Diagnostics)
  • Bio-Rad Laboratories (Diagnostics)
  • Hologic (Diagnostics)
  • Cardinal Health (Product & Technology)
  • Davis Wright Tremaine LLP (Legal)