The Whys Behind Wellvana

The Whys Behind Wellvana

A paycheck isn’t a purpose. Here are the reasons why we found our way to Wellvana.

A paycheck isn’t a purpose. Here are the reasons why we found our way to Wellvana.

"Risk adjustment can be a foreign concept to providers who are new to value-based care. So it's my team's job to bring clarity and support as they prioritize clinical documentation accuracy."
"Risk adjustment can be a foreign concept to providers who are new to value-based care. So it's my team's job to bring clarity and support as they prioritize clinical documentation accuracy."

Nelsabeth Gonzalez

Nelsabeth Gonzalez

Supervisor, Risk AdjustmentSupervisor, Risk Adjustment
"Data can be so impersonal, but it’s precisely what allows us to personalize healthcare and truly take a holistic approach to caring for patients."
"Data can be so impersonal, but it’s precisely what allows us to personalize healthcare and truly take a holistic approach to caring for patients."

Andrew Spice

Andrew Spice

Sr. Director, AnalyticsSr. Director, Analytics
“I delight in meeting patients where they are and empowering them to take ownership of their health. So much of our work is helping them communicate with their doctors — and vice versa. A little clarity goes a long way in keeping patients at home instead of the hospital.”
“I delight in meeting patients where they are and empowering them to take ownership of their health. So much of our work is helping them communicate with their doctors — and vice versa. A little clarity goes a long way in keeping patients at home instead of the hospital.”

Vivian Hardison, RN

Vivian Hardison, RN

Care ManagerCare Manager
"As an OB-GYN who was in private practice, I get how hard it is for independent physicians these days. I would have given anything for the clinical and technical support that Wellvana offers. What I find so fulfilling is that we're not just helping primary care providers survive. With the right partner, they can thrive in value-based care."
"As an OB-GYN who was in private practice, I get how hard it is for independent physicians these days. I would have given anything for the clinical and technical support that Wellvana offers. What I find so fulfilling is that we're not just helping primary care providers survive. With the right partner, they can thrive in value-based care."

Heather Holland, MD

Heather Holland, MD

Account ManagerAccount Manager
"As the son of an independent physician, I can feel my father in every practice I visit. The same struggles and challenges, and old partnerships that don’t make the patient or physician a priority. Now, through Wellvana, I can help support physicians like my father in delivering life-changing healthcare to their patients."
"As the son of an independent physician, I can feel my father in every practice I visit. The same struggles and challenges, and old partnerships that don’t make the patient or physician a priority. Now, through Wellvana, I can help support physicians like my father in delivering life-changing healthcare to their patients."

Benjamin Beck

Benjamin Beck

Director, Business DevelopmentDirector, Business Development
“We don’t give enough credit to the power of listening deeply to patients, offering encouragement, and showing we care. It can make all the difference. And in my role at Wellvana, that’s what I get to do every day.”
“We don’t give enough credit to the power of listening deeply to patients, offering encouragement, and showing we care. It can make all the difference. And in my role at Wellvana, that’s what I get to do every day.”

Christine Empeno, RN

Christine Empeno, RN

Care ManagerCare Manager

Leaders with Purpose

Leaders with Purpose

“What we do boils down to delivering the best care with the most cost-effective treatments and medications. To do this job well, we have to consider both sides of the care and cost equation.”
“What we do boils down to delivering the best care with the most cost-effective treatments and medications. To do this job well, we have to consider both sides of the care and cost equation.”
Rajul Gandhi, PharmD, SVP Medical Cost and Clinical Strategy
Rajul Gandhi, PharmD, SVP Medical Cost and Clinical Strategy
“So much of value-based care is what happens between visits. And the greatest impact we can have is for a patient to feel like they are valued.”
“So much of value-based care is what happens between visits. And the greatest impact we can have is for a patient to feel like they are valued.”
Liz Canis, Chief Operating Officer
Liz Canis, Chief Operating Officer

Executive Leadership

Executive Leadership

Executive Leadership

Executive Leadership

Kyle Wailes
Kyle Wailes

President and Chief Executive Officer

LinkedIn

A competitive leader with almost two decades of executive experience managing healthcare companies. Previously CFO of Intermedix and SmileDirectClub. A relentless optimist and a coach at heart.

Liz Canis
Liz Canis

Chief Operating Officer

LinkedIn

A former Elevance and UnitedHealthcare executive, disruptive investor and active board director. Chief dot connector among payors, providers, specialists to deliver patient-centered solutions. Brings both excellence and a sense of humor to every table.  

Matt Rosenberg, MD
Matt Rosenberg, MD

Chief Medical Officer

LinkedIn

Nearly three decades into improving the health of his community by leading Mid-Michigan Health Centers. Served as Chief of the Department of Family Medicine at Henry Ford Allegiance Health. His Painful Bladder Syndrome research led to two of the largest epidemiologic studies in North America.  

Aria Sameni
Aria Sameni

Chief Customer Officer

LinkedIn

A people-first leader who prizes relationships and trust above all else. A lover of process and a stickler for efficiency. Heavy user of business metaphors that include a “chassis.” More than a decade with UnitedHealth Group, then CVS Health Accountable Care.

Rajul Gandhi, PharmD
Rajul Gandhi, PharmD

SVP, Medical Cost and Clinical Strategy

LinkedIn

A pharmacist leader driven by any opportunity to improve human life, bringing together science, technology, business and the humanities. Previously Walgreens and Carle Health. Draws on both clinical expertise and business background.    

Kevin Gallagher
Kevin Gallagher

Chief Revenue Officer

LinkedIn

A financial executive driving sustainable growth for medical technology and healthcare services for nearly 30 years. Previously MindMaze, Citigroup Global Healthcare, Thomas Weisel Partners, Medical Capital Advisors, Healthpoint Capital, UBS Investment Bank.  

Ted Shannon
Ted Shannon

Chief Financial Officer

LinkedIn

A growth-focused finance leader with decades of experience helping businesses scale to achieve their goals for themselves, partners, clients and investors. Previously CFO of Strive Health and senior leader at Optum.

Katrina Howchin-Tucker
Katrina Howchin-Tucker

Chief People Officer

LinkedIn

An experienced people person with a passion for cultural and operational transformation. A progressive global HR leader for 25 years, previously with Kraft Heinz, SmileDirectClub, Asurion, Deloitte Consulting, Honeywell, Citigroup.  

Josh Chapman
Josh Chapman

Chief Experience Officer

LinkedIn

An empathetic marketer who believes in the power of honest branding and measurable results. Experienced in leading brand and marketing teams across multiple industries, including C-suite leadership at explosive-growth startups SmileDirectClub and Tommie Copper.

Scott Lenz
Scott Lenz

EVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

LinkedIn

Former partner Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP with deep experience in healthcare transactions and value-based care models. Fanatical problem solver. In constant search for coffee.  

Mark Montoney, MD
Mark Montoney, MD

Medical Advisor

LinkedIn

An internist and geriatrician now serving as senior advisor at Martin Ventures. Previously CMO for Contessa Health, Tenet Healthcare, Vanguard Health Systems, and OhioHealth.  

Philips Johnson
Philips Johnson

Chief Technology Officer

LinkedIn

A product and engineering leader who prioritizes the human touch in health tech. Deep experience creating and managing software solutions. Values multi-disciplinary teams to deploy cost-effective, high-value solutions. Previously Jasper Health, b.well Connected Health, Total Primary Care.  

Jay Hazelrigs
Jay Hazelrigs

Chief Actuary Officer

LinkedIn

A numbers whisperer, spreadsheet sorcerer, and calculator conjurer. Decoding data into clear value-based care narratives with actionable insights. Previously leading actuarial and healthcare economics for Optum Labs while juggling roles of Chief Actuary and Underwriter at Level2, a UHG company.

Readus Smith
Readus Smith

Market President, National Partnerships

LinkedIn

Experienced healthcare executive with a passion for bringing world-class care to underserved communities. A charismatic leader who delivers on the hype. Also owner and president of MVIP Healthcare in South Florida. Serves as General Secretary of Health for Church of God in Christ.  

Are you inspired to change healthcare?

Are you inspired to change healthcare?

We’re hiring for positions all across the country.

We’re hiring for positions all across the country.

Founding Physicians

Founding Physicians

Founding Physicians

Founding Physicians

Jairo Melo, MD
Jairo Melo, MD

Co-Founder, Wellvana

LinkedIn
  • Practicing pulmonary and critical care physician committed to value-based care that prioritizes quality.

  • Co-founder and medical director of TexasIPS, the largest pulmonary and critical care group in Texas.

  • Critical care medical director, chair of graduate medical education, chief clinical integration, Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio.

  • Board of Trustees, American College of Chest Physicians.

Saleh Jaafar, MD
Saleh Jaafar, MD

Co-Founder, Wellvana

LinkedIn
  • Practicing internist who welcomes all patients with a motto of “no appointment necessary.”

  • Thrives when forming long-term patient relationships.

  • Owner of Medcare Associates, formed in 1997 with clinics in San Antonio and throughout South Texas.

  • Medical director for Medina Valley Healthcare, Bandera Nursing and Rehab, River City Hospice and Arthur Nagel Clinic.

“Accountability drives our team. Value-based care demands that providers become accountable for the health of their patients. In turn, Wellvana is accountable to providers. It’s the only way we succeed.”
“Accountability drives our team. Value-based care demands that providers become accountable for the health of their patients. In turn, Wellvana is accountable to providers. It’s the only way we succeed.”
Kyle Wailes, President and CEO
Kyle Wailes, President and CEO
“Leading marketing in fields ranging from fashion, food, to hospitality, I always struggled with manufacturing the meaning behind the brand. As I progressed in my career, I vowed only to work with brands that were solving a real problem and helping people lead better lives.”
“Leading marketing in fields ranging from fashion, food, to hospitality, I always struggled with manufacturing the meaning behind the brand. As I progressed in my career, I vowed only to work with brands that were solving a real problem and helping people lead better lives.”
Josh Chapman, Chief Experience Officer
Josh Chapman, Chief Experience Officer

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Devin Carty
Devin Carty

Co-Founder & Chairman, Wellvana

LinkedIn

Venture capitalist and healthcare entrepreneur with oversight of 30+ portfolio companies. Also, co-founder of Trilliant Health, Clariture Health and Reimagine Care.

Charlie Martin
Charlie Martin

Co-Founder, Wellvana

Bio

More than 50 years of experience launching and operating large, complex healthcare systems including HCA, HealthTrust, OrNda, and Vanguard Health Systems.

Rock Morphis
Rock Morphis

Co-Founder, Heritage Group

Bio

Executive leader within Heritage portfolio companies for more than 30 years, including HHS and Surgical Health Corporation.

Haris Naseem, MD
Haris Naseem, MD

Co-Founder, Prime Holdings

Bio

Cardiac electrophysiologist and co-founder of Sybrid Holdings, Premier Patient Health Care, Wiseman Innovations, Summus Health Care and DataQ.

Jon Phillips
Jon Phillips

Managing Director, Head of Venture Capital and Private Equity, First Trust Capital Partners

LinkedIn

Venture capitalist with deep investment banking experience in healthcare and digital health leading direct investment portfolio. Co-founder of PatientBond and ImmediateMD, founder of Healthcare Growth Partners, vice president at William Blair and manager at Deloitte Consulting.

Phillip Roe
Phillip Roe

Senior Advisor, Martin Ventures

LinkedIn

Extensive financial and accounting experience in health systems along with board leadership at Change Healthcare, TeamHealth and Ludi.

Kyle Wailes
Kyle Wailes

CEO, Wellvana

LinkedIn

Proven leader of high-growth healthcare companies, previously as CFO at SmileDirectClub and Intermedix.

Karey Witty
Karey Witty

Managing Director, Valtruis

LinkedIn

More than 30 years of executive leadership across the healthcare system — Envision, Corizon, naviHealth, HealthSpring, Valitas and Centene.

James Margiotta
James Margiotta

President, CVS Accountable Care

LinkedIn

An accomplished growth leader with 34 years of experience capital in healthcare, performing executive leadership roles at CVS Accountable Care, MinuteClinic, CVS Pharmacy, Caremark, and Aetna.

“I have worked with providers for over a decade to help solve the question of how best to provide value-based care. I joined Wellvana because I believe we have the right answers and the right team to achieve meaningful change in the industry.”
“I have worked with providers for over a decade to help solve the question of how best to provide value-based care. I joined Wellvana because I believe we have the right answers and the right team to achieve meaningful change in the industry.”
Scott Lenz, EVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Scott Lenz, EVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
“I’ve been in the people business my entire career — from startups to Fortune 500. I am proud to say that Wellvana is a place where our people are at the heart of everything we do. And as executive leaders, our primary job is to support the team in always being able to put our patients and providers first.”
“I’ve been in the people business my entire career — from startups to Fortune 500. I am proud to say that Wellvana is a place where our people are at the heart of everything we do. And as executive leaders, our primary job is to support the team in always being able to put our patients and providers first.”
Katrina Howchin-Tucker, Chief People Officer
Katrina Howchin-Tucker, Chief People Officer

See what we can bring to your practice.

See what we can bring to your practice.

Get back to what you love most about medicine when you partner with our team.

Get back to what you love most about medicine when you partner with our team.

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