Department of Health Administration and Informatics Advisory Board

Anna Carvalho, SM, FACHE is a healthcare consultant with extensive leadership experience in academic, safety net, and specialty hospitals. She has led complex teams, turned around underperforming entities, worked in highly resource-scarce settings, and partnered with the State, academic medicine, FQHCs, and vendors to create new ways to deliver services. Anna also taught advanced organization analysis in a master’s program in healthcare management. Anna has extensive community experience in anti-racism work and is working on a book about the ways community fosters health.

Dawn V. Gay is an experienced healthcare executive with over 30 years of experience in leadership and operational management. Since 2018, she has been the Executive Director at CareAdvisors, focusing on improving care access and optimizing healthcare resources in Chicago. Previously, she held roles such as Corporate Director at Lang Executive Health and Executive Director at the Patient Innovation Center. Dawn has successfully designed innovative healthcare programs, including a state-of-the-art ambulatory care center, and actively serves on the NAHSE Chicago/Midwest Chapter boards and the Chicago Health Executives Forum.

Akhilesh Duratkar is a seasoned healthcare professional with a Master’s in Health Administration (2012) and over ten years of experience in data analysis, process automation, healthcare revenue cycle management, and KPI dashboard design. He currently works at the Illinois College of Optometry, where he manages revenue cycle operations, Biomedical Services, and Provider Credentialing. Previously, as a Performance Improvement Specialist at East Chicago Community Health Center, he streamlined measurement systems and implemented performance improvement programs to ensure compliance with PCMH standards.

Barbara Johnson has over thirty years of experience in business development and healthcare consulting. Since 2012, she has led Johnson Consulting Firm, focusing on helping healthcare organizations grow. Previously, Barbara worked as a Business Development Consultant at Healthcare Financial Resources and as the Director of Business Development at Sodexo, where she managed large accounts and negotiated contracts. She served on the Board of Trustees for Sinai Health System for thirty years, where she chaired committees and contributed to governance. Barbara is skilled at building relationships with executives and driving results in healthcare organizations.

Edwin Ukpaby is a skilled leader with over 35 years of experience in healthcare technology and education. He is the Chief Information and Technology Officer at Southland Care Coordination Partners, Inc., where he has led health management projects for over ten years to improve care coordination in the Greater Chicago Area. Additionally, he is the President and CEO of Medix Systems Consultants, Inc., providing IT consulting to healthcare organizations since 1987. Edwin also teaches as an Adjunct Professor at Moraine Valley Community College, with over ten years of experience in education.

Nika Nelson is a highly organized and resourceful administrative professional with extensive experience in healthcare operations and Managed Care. She is skilled at identifying challenges and implementing practical solutions. Nika has been recognized for her achievements in project management, process development, budgeting, strategic thinking, client relationship management, and problem-solving. She is pursuing her Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) at Governors State University.

Phillip Kambic is the President and CEO of Riverside Medical Center, a position he has held since 2006 after serving in various executive roles since 1992. With over thirty years at Riverside, he has driven key accomplishments, including its Magnet designation and multiple Top 100 Hospital Awards. As a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, he also serves on the boards of the Illinois Hospital Association. Mr. Kambic is actively involved in community initiatives, supporting organizations like the Kankakee County Economic Alliance and the American Red Cross. He has been recognized as Citizen of the Year and Businessperson of the Year for his contributions.

Pierre Monice is a dynamic healthcare leader with extensive experience in human resources and operations. He started as an HR resident, quickly advancing to Director of Human Resources and then COO at Florida Hospital Altamonte. Pierre has successfully driven EBDIT growth, managed over $100 million in capital projects, and implemented HR strategies that reduced employee turnover and achieved a 99th percentile in engagement surveys. He currently oversees HR operations for 13 hospitals across four states, emphasizing the connection between team engagement and exceptional patient care. Known for addressing complex management challenges, Pierre fosters solid relationships and delivers transformative results in healthcare.

Dr. Kashif Ahmed, MD, MBA, ACHE, is an accomplished professional with expertise in healthcare and business leadership. He serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Trilab Health, a high-complexity diagnostic laboratory based in Chicago specializing in molecular diagnostics, toxicology, and wellness testing. Dr. Ahmed plays a pivotal role in overseeing operations and advancing the company’s mission to o create a healthier world by delivering rapid, reliable, and innovative healthcare diagnostics that save lives. With an MD and an MBA, Dr. Ahmed combines medical knowledge with business acumen to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. His career highlights include significant contributions to clinical research, including work in interventional cardiology at Jesse Brown VAMC, healthcare administration, and public health initiatives with Medical Makers and Humanity First USA. Beyond his professional responsibilities, he is actively involved in volunteer work, exemplifying a deep commitment to serving underserved communities through not-for-profit work and supporting global health efforts with HF International as Disaster Response Faculty.

Dr. Caren Rossow is an academic and healthcare professional with over 40 years of experience. She serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Indiana University South Bend and Governors State University. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor at Indiana University, teaching both graduate and undergraduates in three colleges: Health Sciences, Business, and Liberal Arts; a Lecturer at Governors State University, and an adjunct at Central Michigan University, focusing on healthcare delivery systems, administration, business, and ethics. She has served as a co-leader in over ten study abroad trips to Central America and Europe, studying healthcare systems, has presented internationally, and published two books, several book chapters, and articles in peer-reviewed journals. Her research interest is on pandemics.

Before her academic career, Dr. Rossow spent 30 years at Lakeland Regional Health System, where she held leadership positions, including the Service Line (Director) of Surgical Services with corporate responsibility for three surgical, GI, and central processing departments at Lakeland Regional Medical Center St. Jospeh, Lakeland Hospitals Niles and Berrien Center, and Director of Trauma Services, responsible for the emergency departments, critical, and progressive care units and both Lakeland St. Joseph and Niles. She was actively involved in emergency preparedness.

She has been both a diplomat and board-certified as a Fellow of American College of Health Care Executives (FACHE). Her experience combines practical healthcare management with a commitment to educating future leaders.